Liz Lidgett has a passion for color—from the clothes that she wears to work in her art gallery, to the walls of her home in Des Moines, Iowa. Below, discover why she believes that change is a good thing when it comes to decorating and how the shades in the ColorSnap® Color ID Enthusiast palette from Sherwin-Williams® helped her set the perfect mood in her dining room.
This content was produced for Sherwin-Williams by the foundry @ Meredith Corp. Real Simple editorial staff was not involved in its creation or production.
Living in COLOR
I think about color in a lot of different ways because of what I do for a living, and it’s also what I love. Art has always been a passion of mine, and I feel so lucky that I got to turn that love into a career. As a gallery owner, I’m constantly working with the artists and artwork that we feature in our space, so color is embedded in what I do.
Color plays an important role in other aspects of my life, too. My wardrobe revolves around bold patterns and hues; people often tell me I dress like I’m in a painting! When my family and I travel, I get so much inspiration for how I dress, work, and decorate. Whether we’re in a beautiful basilica or at the beach, I’m paying attention to the color combinations around me. I also always try to bring a piece of our journey home with us by picking up unique mementos—special items that add so much character to our eclectic space.
Discovering My Playful Palette
Our house is constantly evolving. My philosophy is that you can love your space but also change it up from year to year. One of the great things about paint color is that if your aesthetic or the use of a room changes, you can easily switch it up to make a space feel totally different. It’s a quick way to make a big impact even if the rest of your décor stays the same.
The dining room is a central space in our home where we gather for long dinners with friends and family. Since this room is so important to us, it’s one of the spaces I frequently redecorate. I wanted to make it feel a bit more dramatic, but I needed help pulling my color scheme together. So, I turned to the Color ID quiz from Sherwin-Williams for a little help. The quiz was easy and informative. I was matched with the Color ID Enthusiast palette, which really resonated with me.
Everything I do—whether I’m working in the gallery or spending time with my family—I try to do with enthusiasm because it makes life more joyful. I was so excited to be matched with a palette that not only reflects my personality but also my design aesthetic. The 16 colors in this palette can be mixed and matched, and they all pair so well together! The quiz made it fun and easy for me to bring my vision for the dining room to life.
Designing Our Dramatic Dining Room
Art obviously plays a huge role in our home, so I wanted a paint color combination in the dining room that blended seamlessly with the pieces around the house. This was simple with the Color ID Enthusiast palette: I was surprised to find that many of the colors could already be found in the dining room. I decided to paint the walls Cyberspace SW 7076. The deep gray creates a warm environment where I want to eat and talk with friends for hours. I also spruced up our bar cart with Rookwood Sash Green SW 2810 for a splash of color. The green really pops when paired against the dark walls. What a big difference a little bit of paint can make!
To find your palette personality, take the Color ID quiz from Sherwin-Williams at swcolorid.com.
