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Creative Color Combinations

Mar 23, 2026 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

A tangerine and orange colored bedroom, with multiple patterns, textures, and several layers of pillows on the bed, plus tan blanket, white sheets, and orange comforter on a dark brown wood bed.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal

When you look through my interior design portfolio, one thing that new clients often mention attracted them is my use of color combinations. I’m confident in using color boldly to transform interior spaces, and I can help you gain color confidence, too! Here’s a peek into my process.

Monochromatic Color Scheme

A color wheel, showing multiple shades of each color, starting with reds at the 5-minutes-after-the-hour-on-a-clock position, oranges at 10 minutes, yellows at the 15-minute position, green yellows at 20 mins, greens at 25 mins, blue greens at 30 mins, blues at 35 mins, blue violets at 40 mins, violets at 45 mins, mauves at 50 mins, mauve pinks at 55 mins, and pinks at 12 o'clock. The blue violet pie-shaped slice at the 40 min mark is pulled slightly out from the circle.
Image courtesy DepositPhotos.com

One of the simplest ways to be assured your colors will go together is by using variations of the same color, just in different values or tints, called a monochrome. Monochromatic designs often use neutrals such as grey or tan, but could just as easily be made with blue.

The key to this type of color combination is to create a balance by using several variations of your main color, then just a pop of a contrasting color to give it life, such as shades of light and dark grays accented with a touch of lime green.

Grey monochromatic kitchen, with light grey top cabinets, darker grey lower cabinets, and subway tiles in variegated grey for the backsplash. The counter is a very light grey almost white, dressed with a bowl of lemons and a green bottle of water, plus a glass of the water filled with lemon slices sitting next to the stainless steel stove, below the stainless steel microwave.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

In the kitchen above, designed for a San Francisco bachelor who wanted something timeless and chic, variations of grey upper and lower cabinetry with silver drawer pulls, stainless steel appliances, and sleek subway tiles work together to provide a soothing backdrop, so the fruit and green glass bottle on the counter really stand out, as would any fresh food you’re preparing and serving.

Complementary Colors

A color wheel, showing yellow at the 12 o'clock position, orange at the 10 mins after position, red at 20 mins, purple at 30 mins, blue at 40 mins, green at 50 mins. Three crossed arrows lead between yellow as primary and purple as complementary, blue as primary and orange as complementary, red as primary and green as complementary.
Graphic courtesy Craftsy.com

Another easy combination is complementary colors. Primary colors, which are yellow, red, and blue, are the building blocks for creating all other colors. Specific paint mixture combinations of two primary colors will create the secondary colors of either green, orange, or purple. A complementary color scheme is defined as a primary color matched with its secondary color shown directly across from it on the color wheel.

Tufted purple dining chair with different patterned purple fabric on the outside to the velvet interior. Behind is a sheer curtain with yellow, red, and pink colors that contrast with the purple dining chair.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Pairing a primary with its complementary color creates a harmonious balance. For example, red and green, which we use often for Christmas and holiday traditions. Yellow and purple is bright and energetic, seen in sports teams and also as a trending interior design combination. Blue and orange is so popular in graphic design and color correction for film and television that there are whole YouTube essays about this combination, and why we’re attracted to it.

Contemporary kitchen with warm orangey wood doors and slatted wall around the sliding window. White countertops, drawers and cabinets have black handle pulls. Dark blue bottom cabinets on the kitchen island have matching handles. A silver oven and cooktop under a silver hood is surrounded by blue and white wavy backsplash tiles. Blue hand-blown glass pendant lights hang above the island and counter in front of the window.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Paul Dyer

My Bay Area farmhouse kitchen design above is a good example of blue and orange, where the orangey color of the wood stands in a for a true orange. It’s important to work with the dominant color and features in your home, to enhance the beauty instead of fighting it. This home has a very cabin-y feel with all the exposed knotty wood, but the blue color complements the wood comfortably, making it feel both homey and modern.

Split Complementary

A main color wheel on the right is offset by smaller multiple examples of types of color pairings in circles to the right. The one we want to focus on is split complementary, which shows yellow at the 12 o'clock position, and two shades of purple and mauve at the 25 mins and 35 mins positions.
Graphic courtesy NNehring via Getty Images

A more advanced combination is that of split complementary, where you select two colors that are one color apart from each other on the wheel, and then one directly across from those.

In my design below, lilac and fuchsia with a splash of yellow liven up foggy San Francisco days. Don’t forget that color has a strong effect on mood, so pick something you love to fill your home with joy.

A San Francisco condo living room with grey patterned wallpaper to the left, and large floor to ceiling windows to the right. In front of the windows sit a pair of mustard-yellow tub chairs, and two square coffee tables dressed with bowls and vases. To the right, a long grey sofa dressed with purple and yellow pillows, and a yellow blanket is hung over one arm. A pair of white lampshades with blue glass lamps flank the sofa. The rug is the centerpiece of the room, being shaped and colored like a huge lilac, purple and fuschia flower with a yellow center.
Design by Kimball Starr / photo by Eric Rorer

If you want to use color boldly, work with Kimball Starr Interior Design! She creates beautiful homes in the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for an in-person or remote consultation.

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Custom Kitchen Details

Mar 09, 2026 | Posted in Inspirations |

Kitchen featuring light oak custom cabinetry uppers and lowers, sinterset quartzite backsplash and counters in a light marble pattern, light colored oak hardwood flooring, a custom range hood that shows the quartzite finish behind, and red and yellow hand-blown pendant lights above the counters. The drinks and food prep second sink is visible on the far counter, with a window into the living room just beyond.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

On January 1 we shared a beautiful newly-designed kitchen with custom cabinetry. Now let’s look closer at some of the fine details that make it functional and gorgeous.

A SubZero fridge is concealed behind a panelled custom oak cabinet with double doors on top and a single freezer drawer below. To the left is an under counter microwave drawer in stainless steel. Above are additional cabinets to the ceiling. At the top is a glass-fronted cabinet with built-in lighting for displaying collectibles and kitchenware. The next glass cabinet is for drinking glasses. A window outlined in white allows natural light to stream into the kitchen, bouncing off the white sinterset quartzite countertops and matching backsplash.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

In our redesigned kitchen, we moved the refrigerator to a different wall and used a Sub-Zero paneled fridge for a cleaner look.

A floor-to-ceiling pantry with pullout drawers and plate storage hides behind light oak custom cabinetry. A lighted glass cabinet at the top allows for displaying without having to dust or clean greasy residue.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

Adding lighted glass top cabinets allows beautiful collectibles and infrequently-used kitchen items to be featured.

Extending the cabinets to the ceiling is a modern look homeowners crave, along with a beautiful slide-out storage pantry.

Double doors under the kitchen sink reveal two pull-out trays for cleaning supplies, keeping everything neat and accessible. To the right is a stainless steel dishwasher. To the left is a slide-out spice rack. The veining is visible on the backsplash made of sinterset marble-look quartzite. Much better than real marble because it doesn't stain or damage easily.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

Underneath the sink now holds pull-out drawers, making access to supplies a breeze.

A pull-out bread drawer with a built-in cutting surface keeps bread and pastries fresh. Fronted with the same light oak finish to blend in with the rest of the kitchen.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

A custom bread storage drawer with built-in cutting surface keeps bread, pastries, and other baked goods fresh and delicious.

A custom slide-out spice rack sits next to the sink and near the range for easy access. The cabinet front is in the matching light oak finish as the rest of this custom kitchen. Under cabinet task strip lighting is visible above, along with a row of convenient electrical outlet plugs.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

Use every space with this pull-out spice rack near the range.

You can also see the custom under-cabinet lighting and the row of power strips against the wall. Never move counter items to reach a plug again!

A hidden under counter double door storage cabinet allows infrequently used items to remain accessible, utilizing all the space under an L-shaped counter that would normally be dead space. The drinks and food prep sink and faucet are visible on this counter end also.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

What would normally be a dead end under an L-shaped counter is fully utilized by creating a cabinet near the stools. Great for items that are used infrequently but need to be at eye level, like vases and special glassware.

A full view of the new kitchen, showing the broom closet at front left with light streaming in from a nearby window, 4 counter height chairs in front of the L-shaped counter that contains the prep sink. On the other side is the main sink, dishwasher, and more cabinetry. To the left is the range and hood. To the right is the paneled SubZero fridge/freezer, under counter microwave drawer, and additional cabinetry including glass display units near the ceiling. Light streams in from another window to the right, which the dog laying on the floor appreciates.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

Final detail: This kitchen features two sinks! The bar counter now holds a smaller sink for cocktails, food and drinks prep.

Want a custom kitchen of your own? Kimball Starr designs kitchens throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or in-person consultation!

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Design Cleanliness Into Your Home

Feb 23, 2026 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

A warm colored kitchen with easy-to-clean countertops and backsplash tiling. Medium wood flat panel upper and lower cabinets match wooden blinds on a nearby window. These coordinate with grey countertops on both sides of the L-shaped kitchen, one with a waterfall end feature. A grey on grey patterned tile backsplash matches the countertops. Blue glass pendant lights hang above the peninsula with a single counter-height seat, while recessed light fixtures are visible on the rest of the ceiling. The counters are dressed with bright green kale, orange melons, and fresh fruit in bowls.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

In a post-COVID world, how can we create spaces that naturally help us fight infections, and keep our spaces clean? Read on for my best tips!

Shower stall with oversized marble wall tiles and few grout lines. A folded towel and glass soap dish provide a sense of relaxation, while a fresh pink flower peeks from a clear glass bottle next to the shampoo bottle in a wall niche above.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Start with the basic design elements of the space by choosing surfaces that are easier to clean. Pick flat panel cupboards that don’t collect dust, avoid shiplap that needs regular cleaning, and use larger size tiles for fewer grout lines.

A contemporary kitchen with lucite counter-seats in front of a white marble island countertop, across from a brushed aluminum fridge/freezer combo. In the background, blue and white patterned subway tiles form a backsplash for a matching white marble countertop. These are examples of surfaces that are naturally anti-microbial, such as stainless steel and copper.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Use naturally anti-microbial surfaces for kitchen countertops and bathroom surfaces, such as stainless steel, and copper. Doorknobs are another place that copper is excellent at stopping the spread of germs.

2 kinds of residential interior ceiling fans. On the left, the Haiku in molded wood with a built-in light, and on the right, Essence, a metal bladed fan also with a built-in center light.
Images courtesy Big Ass Fans

New technology beats your old air filter, when it comes to having cleaner air in our homes. Big Ass Fans offers UV-C lighting as endorsed by the CDC integrated into two of their ceiling fans. UV light has been proven to fight infection for over 70 years, so take advantage of this in your home or office, and you’ll have a healthier, happier life for many years to come.

Dark wood bachelor's kitchen with dark vertical surfaces and a gooseneck faucet. In the foreground, a white table is surrounded by green lucite chairs with silver metal legs. On the table as a centerpiece is a planter filled with growing green grass, and two empty glass milk bottles sit alongside.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Kimball Starr designs healthy homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a consultation!

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Color Your Home for Mood Health

Feb 09, 2026 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

White bedside table with drawers and gold handles, a yellow bedside table lamp with yellow shade, pink upholstered headboard and white sheets on the bed, with a yellow pillow on the front.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Have you ever been in a room with a color you either loved or disliked? How did it affect your mood?

Science tells us that colors of interior spaces change our moods through color psychology, triggered by biological and psychological responses linked to nature, culture, and personal memories. We use color’s emotional impact to set moods and create specific atmospheres, especially in our homes, offices, and other interior environments.

Warm colors such as reds and yellows boost energy and excitement, while cool colors like blues and greens promote calm, affecting our heart rate, stress, and ability to focus.

These effects — achieved by how hues, saturation, and lighting interact with our perception — create atmospheres of tranquility, vibrancy, or drama, influencing our mental and physical well-being. 

How Colors Influence Moods

Yellow velvet tufted dining chairs with a yellow striped pattern on the backs surround a round dark wooden table with a single tapered pedestal leg on top of a red carpet. Windows allow light in on two sides, with a circular pendant lamp above. The table is dressed with a round vase of yellow flowers.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal

Warm Colors – Reds, Oranges, Yellows

  • Effect:  Stimulate energy, passion, appetite, creativity, and conversation
  • Examples:  Red for urgency or love, orange for enthusiasm, yellow for cheerfulness
  • Interior use:  Good in social spaces like kitchens, dining and living rooms
A blue and purplish patterned blanket is folded back to reveal another layer of purplish blanket, with white linen sheets underneath. 3 throw pillows in blue, gold, and beige sit in front of stacked white pillows for sleeping. The wall behind the dark headboard is a saturated purple hue with gold metal leaf decorations, and a green glass lantern hangs to the left side of the bed, near a copper glass lantern, both above the bedside table. A round gold footstool sits nearby, in front of a translucent glass wall that separates the bedroom from the hallway and other spaces in the house.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Cool Colors – Blues, Greens, Purples

  • Effect:  Induce calmness, tranquility, focus, and relaxation
  • Examples:  Blue for peace and trustworthiness, green for growth or freshness
  • Interior use:  Ideal for bedrooms, offices, bathrooms, or meditation areas
White leather Barcelona chairs with silver legs and button-tufting on the seats and backs, in front of a floor-to-ceiling wooden-framed window and a dark curtain with a gold ribbon a foot above the pale yellow and grey patterned carpeted floor. Between the chairs is a small silver side table adorned with two silver and white candlesticks, and a small silver vase of yellow flowers.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Neutrals and Dark Hues – Browns, Grays, Black

  • Effect: Create feelings of drama, intimacy, coziness, or stability, depending on saturation
  • Examples: Brown for reliability, charcoal or navy for warmth
  • Interior use: Can add sophistication or make large rooms feel more intimate

Why It Happens

A pink, fuscia, and purple rug with yellow center shaped like a flower complements the two bright yellow tub chairs near the windows, with a grey 3-seat sofa and multiple coordinating throw pillows in purple, yellow, and blue provide comfort. A table lamp stands in the corner on a side table between the sofa and first yellow chair, and a matching lamp and table are on the other side. Two coffee tables sit at an angle in front of the sofa and chairs. The wall inset behind the sofa is wallpapered with a grey floral pattern. A light blanket is draped over the arm of the sofa, welcoming you for a cozy cuddle.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Biological and Neurological Response

Colors aren’t only seen; they’re felt. They trigger physical reactions like changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and hormone levels.

Evolutionary and Cultural Associations

We link colors to natural elements such as blue sky and green forests or cultural symbols, such as red for luck or passion. This creates instinctive responses in us.

Personal Memories

Past positive or negative experiences with a color can heavily influence our emotional reaction to it. Think about being inside a room with a color you dislike strongly, and how that would make you feel.

Design Factors

A home office in a corner with a saturated blue wall the shows off open shelving decorated with stacks of books, photos, candlesticks, vases of flowers, and other collectible items above a dark wooden desk with silver metal legs, a silver desk lamp, and a red chair with silver metal legs. A long gold curtain is gathered to the right which can be pulled across the windows on the right. A tall green spikey plant stands in a metallic circular pot to the left of the desk, and a brown tub chair with a lumbar pillow covered in red circles is just visible on the far left. A window seat upholstered in the matching red circle fabric is just visible in front of the right window. Beyond the brown chair on the left is a textural window covering that matches the window covering to the right.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Saturation and Light

Deep, saturated colors add depth, while pastels create serenity. Interior lighting dramatically changes how colors are perceived! This is why it’s so important to get the right type and amount of light for the use of your space.

Balance

Overusing warm colors can cause agitation, while too many cool tones can feel cold. Strategic mixing is key for balance, and understanding how to combine complementary colors.

If you need help executing any of these concepts, get in touch! I’m known for being good with color, harmony, and balance.

Kimball Starr designs gorgeously colorful homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a consultation.

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Pantone COTY 2026: Cloud Dancer

Jan 19, 2026 | Posted in Trends |

Every year designers anticipate the Color of the Year announcement from Pantone, so I’m excited to share this year’s event!

Pantone Color of the Year for 2026 is a fluffy white called Cloud Dancer, illustrated by a woman with short dark hair, back turned to the camera, with her arms behind her as if blowing in the breeze. Her wide pant legs are catching the wind also, and fluffy white clouds surround her against a pale blue sky.
Image courtesy Pantone.com

From the Pantone website:

A Whisper of Tranquility and Peace in a Noisy World

“Introducing Pantone Color of the Year 2026, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer, a lofty white that serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection. A billowy white imbued with serenity, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer encourages true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation.”

An all-white sofa with coordinating round and square throw pillows in white. The wall behind is white, with white wooden textured panels. Above the sofa is a faux cloud shape made of white cotton, and below the sofa floats a mist of white. White curtains cover the window to the right, with light filtering in.
Photo courtesy Joybird
3 different textured fabrics in a light turquoise blue by Joybird. The left is a chenille, the center is a smoother chenille with a random small dot pattern, and the right is a mohair-like velvet.
Fabric images courtesy Joybird

JOYBIRD – Curate your calm space

Pantone and Joybird have partnered to present a heavenly collection of furniture with serenity you can feel, plus several additional coordinating colors.

“Cultivating calm and relaxation, the exclusive Joybird x Pantone collaboration fulfills our longing for harmony at home with invitingly tactile fabrics that evoke serenity and inspire quiet reflection.”

Bed with a large unadorned window and 8 floating color panels with Pantone identifying information labeling them as Lemon King yellow, Nimbus Cloud grey, Raindrops on Roses pink, Cloud Dancer white, Ice Melt pale blue, Peach Dust peach, Almost Aqua green, and Orchid Tint purple. The wall behind the bed is white, and the bed has several of the colors used in the pillows and a throw blanket. The main bedspread is white. Smaller inset photo shows an archway looking into a living room with the same colors used on a modern L-shaped sofa in pale blue, a footrest in yellow, and a painting featuring all the pastel colors on a white wall. The flooring is white. Light streams in from a window to the far right. The text reads: Powdered Pastels - Pastel and neutral tones make compatible combinations to Cloud Dancer, offering subtle shifts in hue that are nuanced, pleasing, and understated.
Color palette and photos courtesy Pantone.com

Color Palette: Powdered Pastels

Cloud Dancer and powdered pastels reminds me of the 1980s, when pastels were everywhere. This is a more adult style, while retaining a sense of whimsy and fun.

I can’t wait to use these with some of my clients in 2026 – could it be YOU?

Kimball Starr designs gorgeous homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a consultation.

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Fresh Clean Kitchen

Dec 31, 2025 | Posted in Inspirations |

A beautiful new kitchen with all custom cabinetry made with light oak. The countertops are made of the same centered stone as the backsplash, for a seamless, clean look. Coordinating counter stools and pendant lights stand out, while recessed lighting above provides a perfect balance. Natural light streams in the side windows.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Cabinet Maker

Do you dream of a brand-new kitchen in 2026?

Are you out of storage space, lack counter or work surfaces, or it’s too far between your stove, fridge, and sink so you feel like you’re always running? I can help!

Enjoy these inspirational images of a San Francisco kitchen we finished in 2025 so you can stop dreaming and start making a change.

A view into the stove and hood area of the kitchen. The oak cabinets go all the way to the ceiling for a modern look. The hood and backsplash are stainless steel.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Cabinet Maker

Natural oak upper cabinets go all the way to the ceiling for a modern look with less dusting above.

A beautiful stainless steel hood makes cooking easy and reduces cleanup. The counter is created with the same sintered stone as the backsplash for an elegant look that’s simple to clean.

Looking towards a window in the center above the white marbled countertop, flanked by clear glass cabinets either side, with lighted clear glass storage at the top of each cabinet. An integrated fridge above a freezer drawer is next to an under counter microwave, with multiple sizes and shapes of drawers nearby, and a pantry at the far right end. Light white walls and light oak flooring make the space feel bright and clean.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Cabinet Maker

An integrated fridge matches the rest of the cabinetry. No more cleaning fingerprints off the fridge door!

The microwave is under the counter, avoiding spills from overhead lifting.

Lighted display cases are enclosed by glass, keeping your family items safe and clean.

Light oak custom cabinets go all the way to the ceiling for less dusting and cleaning. A sink right next to a dishwasher makes loading and unloading easy. Here you can see the veined countertops and backsplash are made of a single light colored material, giving it a seamless, modern appearance.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Cabinet Maker

The sink, cabinets, and dishwasher are within reach, making loading and unloading dishes a breeze.

Detail on the finishes is what makes this kitchen really sing!

Another view of the light and airy kitchen full of custom cabinetry. A second smaller sink makes for easy serving to guests in the living room, with a beautiful view to the patio and back yard.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Cabinet Maker

Kimball Starr designs gorgeous, well-thought-out homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a consultation.

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