The difference is very often in the details of good design, and with today’s trends in cabinets, doors, trim, and millwork, there are more possibilities to explore than ever—and a simple starting place for color selection with our Gallery Series^™ Color Collection. We’re rounding up some of our favorite examples of trim work with a designer touch.

Lanier Gupton’s interest in interior design was first piqued when she was introduced to the world of furniture design as an art history student at the University of Georgia. Her fascination with the intersection of lifestyle and living spaces inspired her to pursue a degree, accreditation, and career in interior design—and the rest, as they say, is history.

For this project, she says her client wanted to “break out of the traditional all-white bathroom, but it was important to keep the serenity and softness of the space. We wanted to use a ‘color,’ but it had to be something they would not tire of after a few years.” 

Together, they decided on walls, trim, and cabinetry drenched in Oyster Bay SW 6206 (217-C3), softening the color at 75% strength to create the perfect backdrop and employing varying sheens to subtly highlight differences between the walls (with an eggshell finish) and the custom trim and cabinet profiles (in semi-gloss). “Using the single paint color allows you to take in the details slowly, and it feels more restful to the eye,” says the owner of Lanier Interiors of the final effect. 

Maggie Clarke Interiors took on the challenge to bring a bare and uninviting living room the kind of personality and coziness the space craved. “We chose a midtone paint color by Sherwin-Williams, Quietude SW 6212 (218-C2), to set the mood and went from there,” Maggie says. “With the client’s antique pieces, we mixed in some contemporary pieces like the coffee tables and a geometric textile on a few throw pillows. The end result is an inviting space that feels timeless but modern at the same time.”

Quietude SW 6212 (218-C2). Design by Maggie Clarke, Maggie Clarke Interiors. Photos by Ross Group Creative.

“The wall space around the fireplace felt like an afterthought compared to the rest of the room,” she continues. “The living room had such great architectural details like coffered ceilings and a whole wall of floor-to-ceiling bay windows. We had our trim carpenters come in and bring the trim work from the coffered ceiling down to the surrounds of the fireplace. It looks like it was always meant to be there!”

An upbringing in Newnan, Georgia, “The City of Homes,” instilled in Kathryn Lott a true love for historical architecture. Now, as the owner of Kathryn Lott Design in Colorado Springs, she brings that love—and a love of color—to design projects all over the country. 

Through trend-forward touches on trim, she recently helped one homeowner achieve their goal of showcasing traditional millwork elements in a new, modernized way. A mix of perimeter cabinets painted Repose Gray SW 7015 (244-C1) and a bold center island in Tricorn Black SW 6258 (251-C1) makes the kitchen feel both authentic and on-trend. 

Repose Gray SW 7015 (244-C1) (cabinets), Tricorn Black SW 6258 (251-C1) (island). Design by Kathryn Lott, Kathryn Lott Design. Photos by Laurey Glenn Photography.

“We incorporated both the old and new, giving existing architectural elements a slightly modern touch without overpowering,” Lott says. “The mixture of old and new was a very strong touch point with the homeowner, as he wanted to make sure the home felt lived in and loved from day one.”

When it comes to designing bathrooms, Brittany Lyons says she often hears from clients that they feel their current space is boring, or not functional. “They just want something better,” she says, a goal she aims to achieve with every design, whether she’s carefully making selections to help a client age in place, accounting for the longevity of coatings in a high-moisture area, or finding ways to take an often-neutral space up a notch.

Lyons consults her Account Executive for help specifying the right products for high-moisture areas, and says “Princess Carter is my Designer Account Executive and she has been so helpful in making sure I have the samples I need, answering any questions about the paint itself, and even chemical components about the product.”

Lei Flower SW 6613 (117-C4) (vanity), Nearly Peach SW 6336 (268-C4) (accent wall), Moorstone SW 9630 (Emerald^® Designer Edition^™ Rustic + Refined palette) (walls). Design by Brittany Lyons, Brittany Lyons Interiors. Photos by Mike Healey Photography.

For this project, Brittany Lyons Interiors was able to help a client express a love of colorful, contemporary design with a pop of Lei Flower SW 6613 (117-C4) for an eye-catching vanity. To ensure that this playful jolt of color would flow with the rest of the space, she chose Nearly Peach SW 6336 (268-C4) on the wall behind the mirror and Moorstone SW 9630 (Emerald^® Designer Edition^™ Rustic + Refined palette) everywhere else to tie it all together.

In her work for Core Interior Design, Gretchen Dockendorff’s deep appreciation for all types of design environments—from traditional to modern, rustic to refined, transitional to eclectic—is equaled only by the breadth of her expertise. After more than three decades as an interior designer, as well as a skilled artist, installer, and remodeler, she brings her passion to every project, and it shines through in residential and commercial projects alike.

Rare Gray SW 6199 (216-C3). Design by and photos courtesy of Gretchen Dockendorff, Core Interior Design.

“This project was sparked by a decade-long relationship with a successful landscape owner turned builder who was remodeling his kitchen,” she tells us about a serene space where Rare Gray SW 6199 (216-C3) in semi-gloss was used to beautiful effect on the cabinets. While she says she’s been waiting patiently for colorful kitchens to make a big comeback, her use of neutral wood tones in the space are decidedly on trend.

To transform your next project with beautifully painted trim, cabinetry, and doors, explore the bright, classic whites and beautiful colors available in our Gallery Series^™ and Emerald^® Urethane Trim Enamel products. And use your Pro+ account to order your complimentary samples.

Gallery Series^™ Waterborne Topcoat used in Carnelian SW 7580 (276-C6) (lower cabinets, shown on right), Pink Shadow SW 0070 (island), Crushed Ice SW 7647 (255-C6) (upper cabinets), in Satin.

Top image: Quietude SW 6212 (218-C2). Design by Maggie Clarke Interiors. Photo by Ross Group Creative.