Jennifer Ott Design

Architectural Color Specialist

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25 Home Design Trends Defining How We’ll Live in 2026

See how accessible layouts, rich materials and wellness-focused spaces will shape homes this year

Houzz asked me to weigh in on color trends for 2026. I had some thoughts: “The reign of all-white interiors and icy gray palettes has definitely come to an end,” says color specialist Jennifer Ott. “Homeowners are now craving warmth, richness and depth in their spaces. For those who still prefer lighter palettes, stark whites are giving way to warmer neutrals that are sun-warmed and tactile — think canvas, parchment or soft stone gray. These hues add subtle depth while maintaining a sense of calm and brightness.” Click to read the full story at Houzz.com

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10 Ways to Use Cloud Dancer, Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year

See how this clean, calming white can brighten rooms, balance bold colors and create a fresh backdrop at home

| by Jennifer Ott |

Pantone is keeping things quiet — intentionally. The color institute’s 2026 Color of the Year, Cloud Dancer, is a crisp, whisper-soft white with just a hint of warmth, chosen as a calming counterpoint to an increasingly noisy world. It’s clean, versatile and surprisingly expressive. Here are 10 smart ways to bring this subtle shade home.

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9 Paint Colors Poised to Dominate in 2026

Major paint brands are leaning warm for 2026, with cozy greens, creamy neutrals and a few moody darks in the mix

| by Jennifer Ott |

If you’ve been tracking home color trends, you’ve likely noticed a clear shift toward warmth — both inside and out. Blues and greens are still going strong, but the cool, icy tones of recent years have melted away. In their place are earthier blue and green shades touched with yellow or brown. Grays, once the go-to neutral, are giving way to taupes, khakis and even beiges. That move toward warmth is echoed in the latest paint trend reports from major U.S. brands, including their 2026 Color of the Year picks. While the choices aren’t identical, a pattern emerges: cozy greens, creamy neutrals and a few moody darks for contrast. Let’s take a closer look, click to read complete story on Houzz.

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Designer Jennifer Ott Rehabilitates an Eichler House in Northern California | National Trust for Historic Preservation

Jennifer Ott says the residence she shares with her husband is "a house with a strong architectural point of view."

My very own renovation is featured in the latest issue of Preservation Magazine, a publication of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. You can see the entire article on their website here. To see the entire batch of photos of the house, click here.

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Recently Completed Project: Revived Eichler near Stanford University click here to see more photos

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10 Things to Do for a Smooth Renovation

A designer (and serial renovator) shares tips learned from years of working with clients and remodeling her own home

| by Jennifer Ott | I have years of experience working with homeowners on their renovations, but I’ve also spent the past 25 years renovating my own properties. Having stood on both sides of this always-stressful process, I’ve learned quite a bit about what to do — and what not to do. These are my top 10 tips and suggestions for homeowners about to embark on a major renovation. Read the article on Houzz

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Pantone Is Down With Light Brown for Its 2025 Color of the Year

Meet Mocha Mousse, a soft and comforting milk chocolate hue, and see how to use it inside and outside of a home

| by Jennifer Ott for Houzz.com | Warm colors have been making a comeback in home design in recent years. Previously popular pinks and peaches are now making way for more neutral shades of brown and mauve. Color management company Pantone Color Institute chose a perky peach for its 2024 Color of the Year and is now pivoting to Mocha Mousse for its 2025 selection. Mocha Mousse is a warm and earthy hue that also represents low-key luxury. Here are some ways you might want to use it in your own home.

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This contemporary kitchen I designed a few years ago for a client in Illinois has been deemed "Wicked" by Realtor.com. A good thing! Obviously this pink is a bit hotter than Glinda the good witch pink and the green more acid than Wicked Witch of the West green, but happy to see this fun space get some attention and colorful spaces in general getting some love.

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10 Paint Colors Set to Define 2025

Paint companies’ Color of the Year selections signal warm shades of plum, brown and red will dominate home interiors

| By Jennifer Ott for Houzz.com | A curious thing has happened in the past couple of years regarding the paint colors major companies have selected as their “it” colors of the year. During my 10 years of reporting on the various Colors of the Year chosen by these companies, the collected selections often diverged, tending to resemble an assortment of crayons in a crayon box rather than a cohesive theme. But recently there’s been a near consensus among paint companies on what they predict will be the top color trends in the coming year. Read the rest of the story on Houzz here

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Transform Your Sleep Space: 17 Strategies to Improve Sleep Quality

There’s a good chance your bedroom isn’t set up for optimal rest. Here’s 17 tips to improve sleep quality so you finally get a good night’s

"Jennifer Ott, Architectural Color Specialist at Jennifer Ott Design shares her insights on color palettes. 'Stick to harmonious color schemes, favoring near-monochromatic or analogous palettes with neutrals and adjacent colors on the color wheel. Opt for soothing hues like watery blues or silvery purples such as Ocean City Blue from Benjamin Moore or Vanity from Behr. Alternatively, create a cozy atmosphere with deep, grounding tones like navy blue or dark tobacco found in Evening Dove from Benjamin Moore or Urbane Bronze from Sherwin-Williams. Consider incorporating colors inspired by nature, like leafy greens or earthy taupes and terracottas such as Leaf Bud from Valspar, Desert Dune from PPG, or Red Earth from Farrow and Ball...'" Check out the full article by Julia Weaver for Redfin

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Pantone Picks a Peach for Its 2024 Color of the Year

See how to use this juicy hue to create calm yet flourishing spaces inside and outside the home

| by Jennifer Ott | Color management company Pantone Color Institute announced its selection for 2024 Color of the Year and it’s a soft shade of orange dubbed Peach Fuzz. It’s quite a pivot from its choice for 2023, the spicy Viva Magenta, and it also stands in contrast to the near-consensus of saturated blue hues chosen by many paint brands as their 2024 paint colors of the year. Let’s take a deep dive into Pantone’s surprising selection. Read the rest of the article here

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10 Paint Colors Ready to Take Over in 2024

Blue is huge, but dark hues and warm tones also find favor among major paint companies’ 2024 Color of the Year picks

| by Jennifer Ott | Every year we track and profile the various Color of the Year selections made by major paint brands. Usually there’s little consensus on what the hip hue for the new year will be. But every so often there’s a bit of agreement. And this is one of those times.

Clearly, blue is about to have a big year in 2024. Six out of the 10 companies featured in this article chose a shade of blue for their 2024 Color of the Year selections. The remaining colors run the gamut from dark and moody to warm and welcoming. Let’s take a closer look at the paint colors you’re about to see a lot more of.

Cabinetry color is Thermal from C2 Paint. Just one of the paint color selections for Color of the Year 2024. (photo courtesy C2 Paint)

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7 Paint Colors Set to Be Big in 2023

See the soft neutrals, warm pinks and deep blue-greens defining major paint companies’ 2023 Color of the Year choices

| by Jennifer Ott | 7 Paint Colors Set to Be Big in 2023 Unlike with last year’s near consensus on shades of green as the Color of the Year, the major paint companies’ 2023 selections are more of a mix. But these colors all seem to fall into one of three categories: soft neutrals, warm pink shades and rich, deep blue-greens. Let’s take a look at the paint colors you can expect to see more of in the coming year.

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Pantone Chooses a Vibrant Magenta for 2023 Color of the Year

Viva Magenta is a bold, cool red hue meant to promote optimism and joy. See how to use it around your home

| by Jennifer Ott | Pantone Chooses a Vibrant Magenta for 2023 Color of the Year Pantone opted to go bold with a lively red called Viva Magenta. Here’s a look at how you can use Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year in your home.

Photo by Jennifer Ott Design - Search home design design ideas

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Pantone Picks a Periwinkle Blue for Its 2022 Color of the Year

Very Peri is an enchanting purple-blue hybrid chosen to represent courage and creativity. See how to use it in your home

| by Jennifer Ott | A lot of paint brands chose a shade of green for their 2022 Color of the Year selection, and many people speculated about whether Pantone Color Institute, the color standards management company, would join the pack. But Pantone went in a completely different direction for its 2022 Color of the Year, choosing a pretty purple-blue it thinks will take off in the coming months. Here’s more about the color Very Peri and suggestions on how you can use it in your own home. Read full story on Houzz

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10 Bold Paint Colors to Perk Up an Entryway

Greet guests with gusto by painting an entry watery blue, herbal green, sunny yellow or another vibrant hue

| by Jennifer Ott | If you’re a fan of fun color but struggle with how to incorporate it into your home, I’ve got three words for you: as you enter. I adore vibrant colors, but even I don’t want to spend hours lounging in a living room painted neon yellow. However, a fun splash of yellow greeting me when I enter and sending me off when I exit would brighten my mood every time I pass through. Here, I show 10 bold colors that can achieve a similar remarkable experience. Click to read the full story on Houzz

Photo by Mel McDaniel Design - Search entryway pictures

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Green Is the Top Paint Color for 2022

Major paint companies reach a rare consensus, anointing various shades of green as their 2022 color of the year choices

| by Jennifer Ott | Green is about to be seen — everywhere. Most major paint brands picked a neutral green as the color they think will define 2022. If you happen to like any of these hip hues, this year will be a good time to update your home, even if it’s in small ways. That’s because these paint color picks mean that green will also soon be everywhere in home furnishings, so it’ll be easier to find items in these shades, if you happen to be a fan. Click to read full story