If you're a color lover – and who isn't around here? – then Daniela Araya might just have your dream job.
As a color consultant, the New York-based creative specializes in selecting colors for specific spaces. "Most people come to me wanting help picking paint colors, but it's always a bit deeper than that," she tells us. "A big part of what I do is helping people untangle some of the fears or hesitation they've built up around using color, and giving them the confidence to make choices that feel joyful and aligned with how they want to live."
While Daniela has always loved color, she's also had some color regrets – not that she calls them that. "I like to reframe them as color learnings!" Her own home today is an homage to color, with bold and often surprising pairings ranging from a Periwinkle blue wall with burgundy trim, to her Butter yellow living room spiked with Poppy red accents. If you're looking to up your color confidence, Daniela shares exactly where to start.
Rule One: Make It Personal
"When you think back to the era of all-white interiors and endless neutrals, it really was the dominant look for a while," Daniela says. "But people are starting to break out of those confines and explore what actually excites them. I think it reflects a broader shift toward self-expression and creating homes that feel more personal."
If white has always felt like a 'safe' choice, you're not alone.
"So many of my clients come to me with white walls they've never loved, but they've been too nervous to change them because they're afraid of getting color wrong."
"There's a lot to be said about fear and what holds us back creatively. It's been really nice to see people give themselves permission to experiment and make more colorful choices at home."
Rule Two: Don't Be Scared Of Getting It Wrong
If you're holding back on color for fear of a regretful choice, Daniela has been there. "I once painted my bathroom a very vibrant green (my husband's color choice) that reflected back in the shower and made us look like we had green skin. Another time I painted my living room window trim lilac, but the shade was just off enough that it felt a little too baby." But even a color misstep can be a step towards greater color confidence: "Each decision helped me understand what worked best in my space, and taught me just as much about what I didn't like," says Daniela. That's the beauty of color – you can always paint over it!
Daniela's current favorite color obsession is pairing a bright color with a deeper counterpart. "Combinations like pink and oxblood red, chartreuse and brown, or orange and pink feel especially good right now. The contrast in tones gives the palette a lot more depth and makes the brighter color really shine."
Rule Three: Start With Feelings
Daniela may be a bit of a color rule-breaker (and that's exactly what we love about her playful palette!) but there is one rule she sticks to for every color consult. "I always suggest starting with the way you want a room to feel. How do you want to experience the space day to day? What do you want guests to say when they walk in? Color is so closely tied to mood, and thinking about it that way can really help guide your palette."
Once you've nailed the feeling, Daniela suggests thinking about how comfortable you are with color. If you're feeling bold, lean in to bright colors and wall-to-wall statement shades. If you're more of a dabbler, a softer or more neutral backdrop allows furniture and decor to bring the pop of color. That's where Mustard pieces come to the party – and Daniela has her very own collection, including a Skinny in Berry, The Collector in Butter and Poppy, and a Midi in Butter. Even for an expert, picking a color wasn't easy. "I'm definitely a sucker for reds, pinks, and yellows, so that made the decision a bit easier."
"I half-jokingly say that pink is a neutral in my home because you can find it in almost every room."
Rule Four: Use The Color Domino Effect
Picking a color scheme can feel overwhelming, especially if you're working on a big project like an entire home. "Every home project needs a jumping-off point or an anchor that helps guide the color and design decisions that follow," Daniela explains. "It's the thing that creates the domino effect for all the decisions you're going to make next. When you find it, you'll know because it really lights you up. I usually like to start with the room that has the most impact, often the living room, and build outward."
Once the heart of the home is set, Daniela says she does make sure certain colors carry through the home, but she enjoys giving each room its own feeling. "I'm also a big believer in letting a home evolve over time. What's the fun in designing a room once and never tweaking it again?"
Rule Five: Focus On The Now
If you've ever worried about your color choices falling out of fashion, or even thought about putting off future buyers, Daniela has some sage advice. "I'm very much a live-in-the-moment kind of gal, and I know I'd be deeply unhappy designing my own home around some future person who might live there. I always suggest designing for yourself and your tastes first." As for keeping things timeless?
"My perspective is simple: if you love it, it's going to outlast any trend."
When it comes to color, the ultimate test is whether it makes you happy. So, consider this your formal permission slip to follow your instincts. "I always like to remind people that the goal isn't to follow strict rules," Daniela says. "It's to create a palette that supports how you want to live, and ideally have a little fun with it too!"
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