Dear Alice | Interior Design – Episode Summary

Episode: Top 4 Color Blocking Combos That Always Work
Date: April 9, 2026
Hosts: Dietra, Suzanne, Corey

Episode Overview

The April episode of Dear Alice dives deep into color blocking in interior design—a principle the hosts are keen to distinguish from fleeting trends. Drawing inspiration from recent runway shows and their own design projects, Dietra and Suzanne break down why color blocking is gaining momentum for 2026 and share practical, vivid examples. They discuss go-to, timeless color combinations, tips for getting started, and how color blocking works both in high fashion and in everyday homes. Listeners are guided through the “why” behind each color pairing, get encouragement to be bold, and leave with usable strategies to refresh their own spaces.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Return and Power of Color

• The hosts note a significant resurgence of bold color—spotted both on the runway and in interiors—marking 2026 as a year for embracing vibrant combinations.
  • "Color is back." – Dietra [01:00]
• Color blocking is not a trend, but a foundational design approach that instantly brings fashion and interest to a space.

2. Defining the Top 5 Color Trends for 2026

a. Icy Italian Blue ("Capri Blue")

• This fresh, universally-loved blue is surging in popularity, particularly for primary bedrooms.
  • "I've never met a couple... that doesn't like blue." – Suzanne [03:11]
• It's described as fresh, versatile, and a great starter for those new to color blocking.
  • Example: Alice Lane’s "kit bed" in Capri blue is a top seller.

b. Jade

• Deep, soothing, and luxurious, jade pairs especially well with warm wood tones (like walnut) and cinnamon shades for sophisticated color blocking.
  • Example: Suzanne’s own bathroom uses jade and is enhanced further by adding firewood colors.

c. Plum Noir (Oxblood/Merlot)

• A dark, near-black purple that offers a chic alternative to black. It pairs beautifully with greens, blues, golds, and yellows.
  • "Instead of adding black, you're adding this to add depth to your outfit and to your spaces." – Suzanne [05:26]

d. Wasabi Green (Chartreuse/Acid Green)

• Bold, unapologetically fresh, often used as a pop on details like welting. Works as a contrasting highlight, inspired by fashion’s daring approach.
  • "Acid green. It's so good. That's so great." – Suzanne [05:37]

e. Persimmon

• Energetic and original, persimmon is a playfully youthful orange-red. Hosts note its rise in popularity thanks to pop culture and fashion influences.
  • "Persimmon...makes the space feel younger, fashionable, almost more athletic." – Dietra [06:15]

3. Color Blocking Principles & Combinations

• Hosts clarify complementary vs. analogous color schemes and highlight gold as the ultimate neutral and “jewelry” that brings any scheme together.
  • "Gold is just again, the highlighter in any of these color blocking stories." – Suzanne [07:46]
• They recommend looking to fashion for inspiration and encourage getting outside your comfort zone with color choices.
  • "Fashion...can be an easy cue to tell your brain what you're liking, and then you can use that as a gateway into solving for your room." – Dietra [10:16]

The Top 4 Color Blocking Combos – With Real-World Examples

1. Red + Blue (Primary Pair)

• Found repeatedly in their own projects and on the runway.
• Pairs a range of red and blue shades—icy blue, navy, periwinkle, oxblood, persimmon—for fresh, energetic spaces.
  • Portfolio highlights:
    • Icy blue rug with red chairs (Grand Tour Estate’s dining room) [11:27]
    • Icy blue office walls and a red-orange club sofa (Lovers Lane project)
    • Thematic use in powder baths (Desert Oaks project), complete with red doors and blue ceilings
    • "Red Library" at Capitol Heights, energized with a framed Hermes scarf featuring varying blues and reds [14:05]
  • "This is one of those palettes that anybody can get along with." – Dietra [14:44]
  • Red and blue are lauded for being gender-neutral and universally appealing.

2. Pink + Green

• Has a nostalgic 80s/early 90s vibe but feels fresh and “preppy.”
  • Suzanne’s own bathroom in mint green, paired with pink curtains and ceiling.
  • Powder bath at Capitol Heights with trending Gucci Heron wallpaper in green, pink trim, and painted doors [23:44]
  • "The more tweaked the color, the shades that you're using are, the more original it's going to feel." – Dietra [24:32]
• Also highlighted in a San Francisco project (coral-pink accents against emerald green wallpaper).

3. Blue + Green (With Gold)

• Nature-inspired, universally loved, and easy to implement.
  • Blue lacquered closets with wasabi fabric sconce shades (Manchester project) [28:11]
  • Jade and slate blues with wasabi or chartreuse highlights, often high-gloss
  • Green cabinetry with gold fixtures and accents in kitchens (Lovers Lane project)
  • "It is the colors outside your window." – Suzanne [27:19]
  • Blue and green with gold “brings the green people and the blue people together.” – Corey [27:44]

4. Plum Noir (Oxblood/Merlot) + Red/Yellow or Lavender

• Deep oxblood or merlot walls uplifted by red and yellow (or gold) for drama and luxury.
  • House of Harrington dining room: Merlot walls, brass hardware, and Schumacher cut velvet with rich patterning [38:24]
  • Boston brownstone bathroom with a custom plum tub and viola stone [39:40]
  • Maddie Stewart’s powder bath: Plum walls, red accents, yellow highlighting art [40:35]
  • "This combination...is so shocking and unexpected and looks so great." – Dietra [40:35]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Blue as a “Gateway” Color

"I've never met a couple... that doesn't like blue. Everybody can get along on the blue train."
— Suzanne [03:11]

On Unexpected Pairings

"If you want to just use the two: The blue and the red are so, so good."
— Dietra [09:45]

On Gender Neutrality

"It's a color palette that never... you never lose with it."
— Dietra [15:19]

On Pushing Yourself with Color

"The more tweaked the color, the shades that you're using are, the more original it's going to feel. Not using the American flag red. Using the more orangey red..."
— Dietra [24:32]

On the Power of Gold Accents

"Gold is just again, the highlighter in any of these color blocking stories."
— Suzanne [07:46]

On Pink and Green

"The combination of experiencing both of these colors back to back is such a fantastic move."
— Suzanne [22:57]

On Gloss and Sheen

"We're in a glossy era for skin care and makeup, for clothing, we have more sheen. Our walls have more sheen. This is the space that we're in right now."
— Dietra [29:36]

On Risk and Reward

"Even going to the color that you think you'd pick, and then going down the ring or going up the ring and be like, oh, that makes me a little scared. Okay, I'll try it... you are in a classical white paneled entry, and then you peekaboo into this hidden door... And then you open up to this, and you're like, who are these people? This is the coolest thing."
— Suzanne [24:58]

On Yellow as a Scene-Stealer

"You put a yellow mohair chair in any scene, and it will instantly come alive. There's something about the shade of yellow... I have one yellow mohair chair in my peacock living room, and it's doing all the work, just reacting to the peacock color. One chair."
— Dietra [36:02]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:03] – Introduction to color blocking & resurgence in design
• [01:56] – 2026’s top trending colors (blue, jade, plum noir, wasabi, persimmon)
• [08:38] – The importance of gold in every color blocking scenario
• [09:06] – Blue and red as a timeless primary combo; real project breakdowns
• [14:05]–[15:27] – Red and blue's universal gender appeal; further examples
• [19:02] – British influence and playful colored trimmings; using the 64-color crayon box
• [22:15] – Pink and green: from 80s nostalgia to current cool
• [27:19] – Blue and green with gold: universally appealing nature-inspired scheme
• [28:11]–[30:46] – Glossy finishes & wasabi green as a fresh twist
• [33:11] – Pattern on pattern; using materials like wood and brass in color blocking
• [38:24]–[40:35] – Plum noir/oxblood and its daring combos; project highlights
• [41:28] – Encouragement to experiment: find your “north star” color and build from there

Practical Takeaways & Guidance

• Start with a color you love ("your North Star"), then find its complementary or an analogous companion on the color wheel.
• Let fashion inspire your design: What do you love to wear? What combinations fill your closet? Translate those instincts into interior palettes.
• Don’t be afraid to tweak the color: Slight variations from the obvious (e.g., persimmon instead of fire engine red) make schemes look more original.
• Use gold and wood as accents: These elements “jewel” the space and help major colors pop.
• Patterns and unexpected placements (like ceilings, doors, or inside cabinets) are high-impact ways to layer color blocking.
• Small doses matter: A single bold chair, accent, or framed scarf can anchor an entire scheme.
• Gloss is in: Don't shy away from lacquer and shine for color blocking with a contemporary twist.

Conclusion & Listener Challenge

Dietra, Suzanne, and Corey close by inviting listeners to:

• Pick a favorite color (“your North Star”)
• Experiment with shades and opposites on the color wheel
• Try color blocking in their own homes—large or small, subtle or bold
• Look for inspiration in both their wardrobe and the world around them

"Design is so powerful. I'm alive, I'm young, I'm happy. I would never change this." – Suzanne [25:28]

Resources Mentioned

• For design help: Alice Lane Home Furnishing Design Program (alicelanehome.com, under 'Design Services') [42:31]
• Full visuals: Available on YouTube and Spotify versions of the podcast for reference

Listeners are encouraged to leave a review and send questions to dearalice@alicelanehome.com.

Recap prepared for interior design enthusiasts seeking actionable inspiration and vivid examples of color blocking done right in real projects—without needing to listen to the full episode.