Lately I've been working on colors for our new design Matilda. It involves mixing approximately 50 grams of ink, meticulous note taking, printing a swatch, drying the swatch with a heat gun, then reviewing the color in daylight. It's a very time consuming process.

So naturally, color is on my mind. While I'm mixing these inks, I've been thinking about designers who use color boldly.  I'm particularly fond of Paris-based designer India Mahdavi. She says in Surface Magazine, "I’ve found that people are scared of color. Why?  Because picking the right one is difficult, which is why I compare it to a wardrobe. It’s much easier to dress in all black than to put five different colors on and look good. I like to mix and let them insult each other, have an argument. When they’re too perfect, it’s boring."

I feel like none of Mahdavi's colors insult each other! But rather work together harmoniously.

She refers to her use of color as "seeking the sun; it has to be sunny. The way I use colours to replace light.” via EdenBeing

I like how Mahdavi rejects the old adage of painting a small room white to make it feel larger. I'd much rather consider sunshine.

all photos via Architectural Digest and IndiaMahdavi.com