Last week, I revealed my Sherwin-Williams Watery Budget Bathroom Makeover. Did you miss it? I know many of you have been having trouble receiving my RSS feed and emails, so if you missed it be sure to click the link to see the entire reveal! Today I wanted to share how the HGTV HOME™ by Sherwin-Williams Softer Side color palette inspired design elements for my bathroom. The new Softer Side palette is absolutely gorgeous and includes all of the colors pictured below.
I was instantly drawn to Watery (SW 6478) and knew that I wanted to use it on my walls. I don’t typically design a room by choosing a paint color first. In fact, this often makes the design process much more difficult! However, Watery was such a fantastic color that I knew it would be easy to incorporate. I wasn’t sure what other colors I wanted in my color story so took myself through my design process. Let’s go through it together!
How to Find Your Color Story
Step 1: Ask yourself, “How do I want to feel in this room?”
You can ask yourself, “How do I want this room to feel,” or you can ask yourself, “How do I want to feel in this room?” I prefer designing a room around how I want it to make me feel. I am in my bathroom first thing in the morning and last thing at night. It’s usually the two times of day when I am most tired, and honestly, the most grouchy. I don’t want to feel grouchy. I want to feel happy, peaceful, serene, and relaxed in my bathroom. Since colors evoke emotion, it’s important to consider the purpose of the room and the feelings you’d like to punctuate within the space.
Step 2: Gather your inspiration.
Starting a Pinterest board or collecting magazine tears is a great way to begin your color story. Don’t limit yourself to inspiration only found in shelter mags. Color stories can be found in nature, food, fashion—anywhere! As you gather images, you will begin to see patterns of colors you enjoy. Stare at your inspiration pictures often and eliminate any items or pictures that don’t seem to fit with the rest of your story.
Picture sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Step 3: Shop your color inspiration.
Shopping with my colors in mind rarely disappoints. Sometimes I might be struck by an item completely unexpected and amazing and it will in-an-instant change my entire color story and room design direction. When this happens, I just go with it. However, typically what happens is that I’m drawn to items in a store that go perfectly with my carefully thought-out inspiration. For this color story, it started with these three towels. When I found them, the rest of my design plan fell into place.
Step 4: Create your plan.
I like to shop before I create my plan. Having your heart set on a specific fabric, or pattern, or color, or accessory that just isn’t available is no fun! Once I have a basic design plan, I shop for items available and tweak my plan accordingly.
Step 5: Implement your plan.
Your color story is determined and now it’s time to let it unfold! Implement your design plan and enjoy your new space.
To help you get started with your own color story, Sherwin-Williams is allowing me to give away 5 gallons of paint to one lucky (U.S. only) reader! Wowzers! You can tell a lot of color stories with that amount of paint :). To enter, please follow the prompts in the rafflecopter widget below. Viewing this post on a tablet and can’t see the rafflecopter widget? Click the three horizontal lines in the top corner and scroll down to “view desktop site” in order to enter. Good luck!
Sara says
I love the polka dot bath towels you used in the bathroom. I have a vanity pained with Watery and I would love to find similar towels. Can you tell me where you got them? I’ve been searching online and can’t seem to find the color! Thanks!
Nicole Lyon says
Oh goodness! I don’t see how you could get any prettier color than the Watery! I love it!
Andrea D. says
I love so many of them, but I’d pick Requisite Gray. Thanks for the chance to win such a great prize.
Nancy K says
Porcelain would be perfect in our Master Bedroom. : ) Thanks for the opportunity!
theresa J says
I like the realist beige
Meaghan A says
Butterup! I think my youngest would love that for her room.
Mandy says
Love your colors. I’m drawn to the Honest Blue. Thanks for the pointers on finding your colors. I have the hardest time in that area.
Erin says
It’s hard to say, based only off a computer screen rendering, but I think I would choose the beiges or the grays! 🙂
Doris says
I love the Porcelain color!
Shana says
I’d choose Aloe for my bedroom.
Sandi says
I’d choose the yellows. Excellent article as I’m looking to paint my apartment soon.
TaraO says
Breaktime is so pretty!
D.P.Ritchie says
I’m liking that porcelain. I can add brighter colors to it. Nice!
Janet says
Realist beige for the main living spaces would be perfect. It so needs to be finished!
Marcy says
I recently embarked on a new hobby of “flipping” older rental units and I just painted the bathroom Watery on my first project! I love how it turned out!
Alicia E says
Shop for the accessories first. That is the smarter idea. LOL. Never thought of that. Glad I stumbled onto this post.
Alicia E says
Shop for the accessories first. That is the smarter idea. LOL. Never thought of that.
Chelsea says
Oh I bet Aloe would look amazing in m bathroom! I’ve been looking for a good green
Trish says
We are currently living in the house that we are building-as-we-go, on a shoestring budget. This means that paint colors are unfortunately usually left up to what we have on hand, what others have given us, or what we can mix and make do with ourselves! However, I would L-O-V-E the JONQUIL yellow to paint the room that my son and 2 daughters (ages 1-4) share with each other. I also am torn between the Balanced Beige and the Aloe, for my and my husband’s room. Someday! 🙂
Cynthia says
I’m with you! I am drawn to Watery,too! So pretty
Janet Street says
I love Sherwin Williams paint. The coverage is so nice and the wear is great. I’d love to get these walls covered in requisite gray with lots of white trim.
Thank you for the chance to win. Your bathroom is stunning!
Erin P says
I would probably have to go with Watery as well…Peppercorn would be great if I had the guts too! Thanks for the opportunity!
Rebecca Parsons says
I would choose breaktime for the bathroom.
alaine says
I’d choose the Realist Beige.
Tricia M says
I love the color “watery”, so beautiful.
Jen Y says
Breaktime is beautiful.
Christina @ Christina's Adventures says
I really love both “watery” and “breaktime” – they’re both beautiful!
angie says
Ready for a summer spruce up at my house and would love to start with paint!
Lynn in DG says
This would get my rear in gear to paint my girlfriend or mouse bedroom with the absurdly small closet!
christine jessamine says
I love the balanced beige
Rachel says
So hard to choose!! As a matter of fact I am in the process of painting my living room right now and still have to finish painting my kitchen. After 25 years of living in the same house, I finally convinced my husband to knock down part of the wall between the 2 rooms:) Yay me:) I have painted both rooms numerous times over the years, but now I really want it to flow with the open space, so I think I would pick the Realist Beige for the living room. (I would use the Breaktime for my kitchen table and chairs, hutch:)
Pick me, pick me!! My husband is a cheapskate and hates when I spend money on anything, so if I wont this that would be awesome:)
Heather says
Totally loving WATERY! Wow, what an awesome color!!!
Karen Young says
I love the Watery color.
Andrea says
I think I would choose realist Beige to re-paint our downstairs.
Kristina A says
I love the “breaktime” color. It would be perfect in the bathroom we’re planning to remodel.
Sarah says
I love the green shade called Haven. My little girl’s favorite color is green, and that is a perfect shade that can be accented so many different ways. Lovely!
Sean C says
I’d paint my son’s bedroom in Honest Blue.
Alina says
I’d choose Honest Blue for my living room. Gorgeous color.
Teresa says
LOVE the colors, so cheerful!
Sandy S says
I’m loving the yellows… Butter Up or Jonquil!
Desaree Martin says
SW Requisite Gray
Jaclyn Reynolds says
Butter Up is a lovely color, reminds me of spring and my children.
Marcie S. says
Love the Honest Blue! Want this to be the color of my living room. Great post!
Jessica w says
i really like the porcelain
Krista says
requiste gray
Paige A says
I love Balanced Beige and Aloe, both so pretty!
kathy says
I have several spaces that are in need of a good paint job. This would sure come in handy. So many good options.
Delilas says
I Love them all. i think the watery is gorgeous but the Porcelain is a great neutral wall color.
Jerri C. TN says
Our girls bathroom is painted Watery & I love it. I think I would like to try the Breaktime color for my master bath that is currently being renovated.
andrea says
so many lovely colors! I think peppercorn with haven would be beautiful.
Geri-Lynn says
All the colors are beautiful. I would choose either breaktime or watery. Thanks for this giveaway. It would be so great to win. My husband and I are painting our exterior soon.
Heather says
I would love to try out Breaktime in our main bath, and a bunch of them as accents in my craft room. Thanks for the giveaway.
Eloquence says
I really like Peppercorn!
Shannon H says
Watery for an update in the guest bathroom!
Adrienne says
Lei flower would be lovely in my new home. Now to pick which room will t be
Beverly says
I would choose Charming Pink! Thanks for the giveaway!
Penny says
I love the color watery and would use it in my master bath!
Shannon B says
I love the requisite gray and the watery. It’s really funny, because I just spent some time at SW picking out swatches – and watery was one of them!
Ashley C says
I like the Breaktime color!
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
sue says
I love all of these colors! I would choose peppercorn…if I had to choose just one!
Alyce says
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web. I will highly recommend this blog!
Kelly D says
I would choose the Porcelain..
Lisa says
probably requisite gray at 50% … I’m helping my parents decorate their new retirement home and I’m pumped!! we were just discussing paint colors this weekend, so this would be amazing! 🙂 thanks for the chance!
Sue T. says
Oh boy…..How can you choose only ONE from these beautiful soft colors?!
Butter Up and Lei Flower are my favorites, do I have to choose between them right now?!
Thank’s for this great opportunity1
Susan M. says
The Requisite Gray is calling my name! Thanks so much for the opportunity — my fingers are crossed!
Connie says
My main bathroom has white walls and is decorated with sea shells. Watery would be the perfect color to complement my decor. Thank you for helping me find my color story.
dacia b says
I love realist beige for main areas, butter up for my ceilings, and one of the violets for my guest room.
Sheila Moore says
I need to paint both upstairs bathrooms so I wouuld pick Watery and Mellow Coral.
Ronda Batchelor says
Aloe, for my girls bath.
Kendra says
Love Watery! Perfect bathroom color!
Victoria says
I LOVE SW paints! I’m looking for a dark navy color. Love the way SW has so you can see what the paint will look like in the room before! It will go a long way to helping me convince my husband! Victoria
Prissy says
Cool giveaway! I would really love Breaktime
Prissy
jennifer {studiojru} says
ohh… i love the requisite gray!
Diane @ Vintage Zest says
Hard to choose but probably the Requisite Gray! 🙂
Sue says
I am loving the new soft colorway that SW has introduced. I could absolutely use those free gallons of paint for a home make-over, Beth! Thanks for the opportunity! Sue
dawninsac says
oooooohhhhh lots of choices….I love your choice, but say I think I would order up a gallon of….breaktime!
Amie says
I too love watery- or maybe aloe…so hard to choose! thanks for the chance to win!
Alicia B. says
I am working on decorating our master bedroom because this year is our fifth wedding anniversary. It’s time for a change and we are inspired by the ocean (light blues and calming neutral colors) I really like porcelain paint color!
Lanie J. says
Love the porcelain and the beiges. 🙂 My whole house needs a paint makeover!
Mel says
The entire house needs paint. This would be a great start to taming the blahs.
Malissa Knudtson says
I know I would love to use the Black Magic for accent color.
ellie says
Our living room needs to be painted. I’ve gathered ideas on pinterest. I can’t wait to get started!
Donna says
Your bathroom has sold me on the Watery! So fresh, and soothing. I love it.
Richella Parham says
Your new bathroom looks awesome, Beth! I LOVE Sherwin-Williams paint and would really enjoy winning five gallons!
Bethany says
I would choose Requisite Gray! 🙂
Ashleigh hall says
I would love to do our pool bath in peppercorn and white stripes!
Ashley D says
I LOVE watery! We’re closing on a house tomorrow and will be repainting the ENTIRE house! There are 14 different BOLD colors in the house, no that wasn’t a typo, 14… Watery is in the plan for my daughters room and Breaktime and Requisite Gray also make the cut! I’m looking forward to softening up those walls… Thank you! What a GREAT giveaway!
amy G says
I would like to paint our living room but my husband says we don’t need to. We still have the builder beige for the past 10 years. I like the requisite gray.
Crystelle says
I so love the story you have come up with for your bathroom! Great way to come up with a theme….. 🙂
“hugs” Crystelle
Crystelle Boutique<
Holly D says
I would love to paint my bedroom in Porcelain!
Melissa A says
I love the Breaktime color! I’d use it in my master bath!
Mary says
I would like to paint my bedroom and master bathroom. I love these soft colors!
Marrion says
I would choose Breaktime, blue with a greenish tinge. I had a hard time choosing between it and Watery, but it won out. 🙂
Donna Strauser says
Lovely choices. In the process of trying to choose a wall color now.
Sarah @ 702 Park Project says
Thanks for the fun giveaway! I’d love to do our formal dining room in Haven! 🙂
Nicole Myers says
We are buying our first home and it will be a huge remodel! I love these colors!
Susan says
Watery would be great for an accent wall in my master bedroom.
Tawni says
I would choose Porcelain to do our 2nd bathroom.
Tawni says
I would love some paint to do the family room and 2nd bathroom!
Jill says
I think i would use haven…I’ve never liked green (accept in nature) but this year I am drawn to it every time I see a piece of furniture painted in it. Guess my tastes are changing with age!
Gina says
I’ve convinced my husband that it’s time to update the whole house with new softer paint, starting with transforming our office into a nursery for our first little munchkin (due this October!). Would love to have some help from Sherwin Williams!
Ashley says
Love this! I sometimes get so overwhelmed and have a hard time focusing on how I want the room to look. Great idea to gather pictures from anywhere with the colors that inspire you.
Jenifer says
Our home is in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint but money is so tight. This would surely be a blessing. We’ve been wanting to paint our home a sage green so I would probably pick the breakfast color.
Suzanne says
I love these colors! I am in the process of repainting our house to lighten it up and I think these colors would be perfect!
Rachel Joyce @ Architecture of a Mom says
I love the porcelain color for my living room.
angie says
your bathroom is beautiful! I could use this paint for my master bathroom and back door that needs to be painted.
laura@top this top that says
i missed your bathroom reveal…looks amazing. what a great giveaway. who doesn’t need paint!
KARIN says
we are painting our exterior and remodeling our bath. I sure could use this..:)
Rebekah Miller says
I would choose Charming Pink for my daughters room.