2019 COTY Inspires Samantha Williams Interior Design

With the recent announcement of the Dunn-Edwards 2019 Color of the Year, Spice of Life (DET439), we partnered with Samantha Williams of Samantha Williams Interior Design and saw the color come to life through her vision and expertise in design and color.

As a native Californian, Williams has been practicing interior design for about 10 years. Carving a new path with the creation of her own design business earlier this year, more opportunities are coming to the forefront at her boutique design firm that specializes in residential renovation, new construction and luxury furnishings.

“We love giving new life to older homes. Our classic design sensibilities thrive in the Pasadena area where beautiful, historic homes are abundant. We get to work on a wide range of properties from charming bungalows to grand estates. We have also loved participating in design events such as the Pasadena Showcase House of Design. Creating a home that tells a story, brings people together, and offers a respite from our hectic lives makes my work as an interior designer very fulfilling.”

With her extensive experience and love of color, we approached Williams and asked her to design a couple spaces that would display the unique and rich qualities of Spice of Life. She jumped at the chance and we are thrilled with the outcome. “It was a great honor to participate with Dunn-Edwards on the color of the year campaign! When we said "yes" to the project we had only a few guesses as to what the color might be. When I first laid eyes on Spice of Life, it immediately transported me back to my trip to Morocco last year, where various shades of this color are abundant,” Williams stated.

“That initial inspiration is particularly seen in the guest bedroom I designed, where we incorporated Moroccan textiles and rugs into the space and they work so beautifully with Spice of Life. I love how this color pairs well with other saturated, rich colors to create a warm, cozy space. I was also pleasantly surprised to see how wonderfully Spice of Life worked with lighter shades. I experimented with a pale blue lamp in one of my vignettes and to my delight it worked together effortlessly.”

After the project’s completion and launch, we asked her whether she would use this color again and where she would be inspired to use it. Williams explained, “I think Spice of Life has great versatility and can be
used in a number of settings. My favorite time of day in the Spice of Life bedroom I designed is at night when the lamps are giving off soft light and the whole room just glows. It feels so warm and inviting.”

“I love this color for a backdrop in bedrooms, paired with flowing draperies, rich artwork, and layers of light. I think this color would also be beautiful in a powder room – it can be dramatic, moody, and make a big statement.”

Does color play a role in Williams’ other projects? Of course. And what are some Dunn-Edwards go-to hues? “My go-to white for trim is White Picket Fence (DET648) and I love Dark Engine (DE6350) in high gloss for a
timeless entry door. My favorite neutral that is a great balance of not-to-cool and not-too-beige is Whisper Gray (DEC785).”

“Because I love navy blue so much, I always love colors like Tried & True Blue (DET582) and Midnight Sun (DET580). I just selected Cape Cod Blue (DEC792) for my client's bathroom cabinets and can't wait to see the results. Dunn-Edwards has a great range of color and I especially love the Then, Now & Forever® Collection and the Classics Collection. I can usually find exactly what I need when I start there.”

The Future

Currently, Williams’ firm has a variety of projects lined up including a storybook English Tudor, a Spanish Colonial Revival, a grand Mission Revival estate built by the revered Myron Hunt, and a Monterey Colonial designed by esteemed architect Reginald Johnson as his own personal residence, are a few of the exciting things in the works. “I feel fortunate to have many great projects that collectively represent some of the best styles of Southern California architecture.”

To learn more, visit williamsinteriordesign.com.

All Photography by and courtesy of Bethany Nauert Photography