Here at House Beautiful, there’s nothing we love more than getting the scoop on designers’ go-to paints, be they neutrals, brights, inky blacks, or crisp whites. So we decided to take a colorful cross-country road trip, stopping in every state in the nation (plus Washington, D.C.) to find out which locally inspired hues some of our favorite decorators are dipping into. Read on to discover the 51 shades that make up our very own multicolored map.
Browse The States
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Alabama
NCS S 2030-Y50R, Fine Paints of Europe
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“No one loves a good melon-inspired hue like an Alabamian. The color inspires a sense of creativity, which is why it envelops my own office.” —Tammy Connor, Birmingham
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Alaska
Eagle Rock 1469, Benjamin Moore
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“A favorite for larger rooms, this gray adds coziness to an open layout during the dark winter months.” —Jason Clifton, Juneau
Inua Blevins
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Arizona
Ball of String DE6190, Dunn-Edwards
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“Everyone’s gotten tired of desert-themed dark browns; a light, bright beige lets furnishings add the color.” —Laura Kehoe, Scottsdale
Courtesy of Laura Kehoe
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Arkansas
Silver Peony SW 6547, Sherwin-Williams
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“Like a Southern garden, this hue-shifting color is classic, elegant, and dependable.” —Kevin Walsh, Little Rock
Courtesy of Kevin Walsh
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California
Fresh Concrete, Portola Paints & Glazes
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“Nobody does California colors quite like L.A.-based Portola. We used this unique blue-gray in a Roman Clay finish for a bathroom overlooking the Pacific Ocean.” —Joe Lucas, Los Angeles
Karyn Millet
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Colorado
Cat’s Eye 2036-10, Benjamin Moore
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“People in Colorado love colors that capture the feeling of being outdoors, like this vibrant grass green.” —Andrea Schumacher, Denver
Emily Redfield
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Connecticut
Cotton Balls OC-122, Benjamin Moore
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“The perfect bone white with just a dollop of cream, it’s the color of the clapboard houses that dot our landscape.” —Patrick Mele, Greenwich
Brittany Ambridge
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Delaware
Naval SW 6244, Sherwin-Williams
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“This Atlantic blue has a sense of history and depth. It works equally well in traditional or coastal settings.” —Bruce Palmer, Wilmington
Don Pearse
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Florida
Tear Drop Blue 2053-60, Benjamin Moore
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“In Florida, we don’t really experience seasons; it’s blue skies all year round. This color is great for bringing that feeling into any room.” —Andrew Howard, Jacksonville
David Tsay
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Georgia
Grizzle Gray SW 7068, Sherwin-Williams
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“There’s a certain depth to the light here that makes it an ideal place for dramatic gray walls. It’s enveloping at night, but bright and welcoming during the day.” —Susan Ferrier, Atlanta
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Hawaii
Gardenia SW 6665, Sherwin-Williams
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“Yellow is always one of our favorite hues for kitchens. This shade is cheery and warm, plus everyone looks good against it!” —Marion Philpotts Miller, Honolulu (photo courtesy of Marion Philpotts Miller)
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Idaho
Crispy Gold SW 6699, Sherwin-Williams
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“Inspired by the Idaho wildflowers we enjoy all summer long—it’s a fun pop of color on a door.” —Jennifer Hoey, Ketchum
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Illinois
Tanner’s Brown 255, Farrow & Ball
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“This deep black-brown with slight red undertones channels the weathered Cor-Ten steel used to build some of our famous skyscrapers.” —Tom Stringer, Chicago
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Indiana
Teaberry SW 6561, Sherwin-Williams
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“My grandmother’s house was always surrounded by rows of peony bushes—our state flower! I love it as a backdrop for stronger pink tones.” —Amanda Lantz, Carmel
Courtesy of Amanda Lantz
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Iowa
Herb Garden 434, Benjamin Moore
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“The color of rolling hills and verdant golf courses, this green evokes the feeling of summer—especially welcome during Iowa’s long, cold winters.” —Amanda Reynal, Des Moines
Courtesy of Amanda Reynal
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Kansas
Refuge SW 6228, Sherwin-Williams
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“A moody blue that reminds me of the fall sky in Kansas City. We recently used it on a guest room ceiling for an unexpected touch.” —Sara Noble, Overland Park (photo courtesy of Sara Noble)
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Kentucky
Chartreuse 2024-10, Benjamin Moore
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“Kentucky is full of houses with beautiful old family furniture; this acidic yellow-green instantly modernizes them. Add some pale pink accents, and you’re off to the races!” —Matthew Carter, Lexington
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Louisiana
Honey Butter 08-30, Pratt & Lambert
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“This dusty beige with pink undertones recalls the Creole sauces of southern Louisiana cuisine, one of them being the classic remoulade.” —Lee Ledbetter, New Orleans
Pieter Estersohn
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Maine
Pale Smoke 1584, Benjamin Moore
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“In Maine, we say, ‘If you don’t like our weather, wait a minute.’ Sun, fog, snow, and rain—this chameleonlike color looks beautiful with it all.” —Linda Banks, Falmouth
Courtesy of Linda Banks
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Maryland
Lake Forest 315D, Pratt & Lambert
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“Vibrant enough to add visual interest but calm enough to blend with an array of complementary hues, this Chesapeake Bay blue is always sophisticated.” —Laura Hodges, Baltimore
Courtesy of Laura Hodges
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Massachusetts
Elephant’s Breath 229, Farrow & Ball
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“Many of the homes we work on date back 150 years or more; we will often pay homage with historically based colors like this gray named by English decorator John Fowler.” —Nina Farmer, Boston (photo courtesy of Nina Farmer)
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Michigan
Caliente AF-290, Benjamin Moore
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“My Michigan clients have been asking to incorporate more red as of late. I used this shade to lacquer the walls of a dining room for a rich, sexy ambiance.” —Corey Damen Jenkins, Birmingham
Courtesy of Corey Damen Jenkins
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Minnesota
Super White PM-1, Benjamin Moore
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“My go-to for more than 25 years. This white is pure as snow (which we have plenty of here!) without any undertones.” —Andrew Flesher, Minneapolis
Courtesy of Andrew Flesher
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Mississippi
Classic Gray 1548, Benjamin Moore
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“This neutral offers a cool and calm retreat from the Mississippi heat. Art hangs beautifully on it, letting the decor steal the show.” —Nancy Price, Jackson
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Missouri
Dark Shadows DEA183, Dunn-Edwards
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“I love dark colors like this velvety green for enhancing the highly detailed millwork in St. Louis’s historic homes—and it looks even better with a lacquered finish!” —Amie Corley, St. Louis
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Montana
Blazer 212, Farrow & Ball
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“We have a lot of locally sourced stone and wood in our projects; it’s important to balance all that neutral texture with color. This red is as toasty as a fire on a cold Montana night.” —William Peace, Bozeman
Courtesy of Bill Peace
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Nebraska
Casual Khaki N300-3, Behr
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“We’re endlessly inspired by Nebraska’s wildlife. This muted tan can be seen in everything from the bobcat’s fluffy winter coat to the hide of the whitetail deer.”—Tara Miller, Omaha
Courtesy of Tara Miller
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Nevada
Heron Plume SW 6070, Sherwin-Williams
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“This warm white provides a fresh and clean canvas, allowing our furnishings to shimmer and shine like the Vegas Strip.” —Lisa Escobar, Las Vegas
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New Hampshire
Lichen 19, Farrow & Ball
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“A forest-floor green so versatile that it can be easily used as a neutral. Try it on entryway millwork to welcome guests.” —Alice Williams, Hanover
John W. Hession
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New Jersey
Swiss Coffee OC-45, Benjamin Moore
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“For a Jersey Shore house that was all about the views, we chose this white with wonderful brown undertones. It’s clean but not sterile.” —Frank DelleDonne, Short Hills (photo courtesy of Frank DelleDonne)
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New Mexico
Deep Blue 179, BioShield
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“Full of soul and depth, this clay-based indigo paint reminds me of Georgia O’Keeffe’s Starlight Night.” —Heather French, Santa Fe
Bill Stengel Photography
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New York
Maize Yellow RAL 1006, Fine Paints of Europe
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“This rich taxicab yellow makes you feel like you are swimming in a glass of brandy held up to firelight.” —Miles Redd, New York City
Melanie Acevedo
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North Carolina
De Nimes 299, Farrow & Ball
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“Like the Blue Ridge Mountains—my escape from the daily hustle and bustle—this shade is endlessly calming.” —Charlotte Lucas, Charlotte (photo courtesy of Charlotte Lucas)
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North Dakota
Feather Down OC-6, Benjamin Moore
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“When my clients want to blend white trim with traditional stained wood, this is the color I turn to. It has a homey feeling we all love.” —Lindsey Christie, Fargo.
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Ohio
Iron Ore SW 7069, Sherwin-Williams
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“This is one of our favorite paints. It reads as black but feels less harsh—it can add a subtle drama and moodiness to just about any space. Try it as an accent on interior doors and cabinetry.” —Wendy Berry, Chagrin Falls
Courtesy of Wendy Berry (of W Design)
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Oklahoma
Alpaca SW 7022, Sherwin-Williams
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“This prairie-inspired greige is both warm and transitional. It’s a great go-to color for cabinets when you want light but not white.”—Bailey Austin, Tulsa
Courtesy of Bailey Austin
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Oregon
Moonshine OC-56, Benjamin Moore
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“We love the way this pale gray catches our northern light here in Oregon so beautifully, reflecting it back in a bright but quiet way.” —Jessica Helgerson, Portland (photo courtesy of Jessica Helgerson)
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Pennsylvania
Summer Night DE5811, Dunn-Edwards
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“I picked this for the library of a 200-year-old Philadelphia home for a look that was historic yet fashion-forward. I’m sure our flag seamstress, Betsy Ross, would have approved!” —Michele Plachter, Philadelphia
Rebecca McAlpin
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Rhode Island
Gentleman’s Gray 2062-20, Benjamin Moore
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“A classic, nautical New England shade, this dark blue is one I often use in smaller spaces to cultivate a cozy feel.” —Cynthia Hayes, Providence (photo courtesy of Cynthia Hayes)
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South Carolina
Sun Kissed Yellow 2022-20, Benjamin Moore
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“A color inspired by our state flower, the yellow jessamine, this was the perfect ‘welcome home’ hue for a client who’d recently moved back to Charleston.”—Tyler Hill, Charleston
Courtesy of Tyler Hill (of Mitchell Hill)
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South Dakota
Dark As Night 720F-7, Behr
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“Like South Dakota’s pine-covered Black Hills, this deep and moody green adds instant character to any space.” —Rozalyn Hays, Rapid City
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Tennessee
Charcoal Smoke PPG1033-7, PPG Paints
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“Almost black with just a hint of deep green, this color resembles the Belle Meade green hue that’s traditionally used on shutters and doors here in Nashville.” —Sarah Bartholomew, Nashville
Courtesy of Sarah Bartholomew
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Texas
Sleepy Blue SW 6225, Sherwin-Williams
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“This cooling, icy blue is my antidote to the Texas heat. I love it on bathroom cabinets, trim work, and doors.” —Denise McGaha, Dallas
stephen karlisch
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Utah
Mindful Gray SW 7016, Sherwin-Williams
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"For a mountain house with sprawling views, the warm tone balanced natural texture with quiet serenity.”—Anne-Marie Barton, Salt Lake City
Courtesy of Anne Marie Barton
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Vermont
Foliage C2-661, C2 Paint
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“Green is restorative. When a walk in the woods isn’t an option, this paint is the next best thing!” —Amy Thebault, Manchester
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Virginia
Mill Springs Blue HC-137, Benjamin Moore
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“Many of our clients have libraries filled with antique books; their deep red and caramel spines look beautiful against this blue.” —Janie Molster, Richmond
Gordon Beall
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Washington
Chimichurri CSP-810, Benjamin Moore
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“The color of the evergreens that blanket our landscape, this exudes a timeless luxury.” —Katie Hackworth, Seattle
Courtesy of Katie Hackworth
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Washington, D.C.
Unusual Gray SW 7059, Sherwin-Williams
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“While Washington may be known for its colorful political figures, its interiors are often far more neutral. This mid-tone gray conveys the intellectual tenor of the city.” —Mary Douglas Drysdale
John Cole Photography
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West Virginia
Borrowed Light 235, Farrow & Ball
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“People here tend to live close to the earth, so shades of blue—like this diaphanous aqua—are always popular.” —Stephen Shutts, Morgantown
Michael Kaskel
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Wisconsin
Cornforth White 228, Farrow & Ball
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“I love the way this understated neutral provides an opportunity to introduce color that’s easy to live with—and it gives off warmth on wintry days.” —Jessica Jubelirer, Whitefish Bay
Werner Straube Photo
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Wyoming
November Skies 2128-50, Benjamin Moore
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“Each morning, we’re greeted by snow-capped mountains, expansive skies, and crystal-clear rivers; this blue represents Wyoming’s glorious Tetons setting.”—Rush Jenkins, Jackson
William Abranowicz