Design Notes
A new year can have a new meaning for everyone. Some view it as an opportunity to set resolutions and goals they want to achieve in the coming months. For others, it may be a fresh start after a challenging year, but for designers, there is one thing we look forward to more than anything else: the announcement of the new color of the year. It is one of the most anticipated events due to the significant influence and impact it will have on the design world. While Pantone released their choice, a beautiful shade of periwinkle, paint companies Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Behr leaned into a more natural look for their selections. We are excited by all of these colors, so let’s unpack them a little more and ways you can mix them into your home.
Pantone – Very Peri PANTONE 17-3938
“Very Peri displays a spritely, joyous attitude, and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expressions.” – Leatrice Eiseman
Pantone did something unique this year: for the first time in 22 years of announcing the newest color of the year, they created a brand-new color for the occasion. It is a color conceived with purpose, to reflect the trust of the blue family while carrying some undertones of the dynamic violet-red group. Very Peri is a color that also mirrors the hue of our screens, as if to remind us of the merging that has taken place between the digital world and our own. Above all, Pantone’s goal in choosing Very Peri is to showcase the possibilities awaiting those who have the courage to embrace their creativity and are bold enough to express it to the world. This new color leads the way for designers to move forward with their ideas, follow their own path, and write their own story. Read a little more about the details behind the 2022 color of the year on Pantone’s website.
Sherwin Williams – Evergreen Fog
“Soothing, subtle, and a perfect shade to freshen up any space.”
Sherwin-Williams has chosen its 2022 Color of the Year, Evergreen Fog, as a call to a fresh start, something that resonates with many who are looking to leave the past behind and move into a new year with excitement. Nature is a powerful source of inspiration for many designers, so this shade of soft green is a perfect choice that will complement a wide array of spaces throughout the home. It is also an excellent pairing with their 2021 Color of the Year, Urban Bronze, a gray that evokes strength and security. Together, these shades can create an organic palette that fosters a warm, inviting atmosphere in your home, where you can rest and recharge. Evergreen Fog is a color that combines the best of green, gray, and blue to create a hue that provides homeowners with an option that makes a subtle yet visually striking statement. Learn more about Sherwin-Williams’ 2022 color of the year and see more shades that it pairs with on their website.
Benjamin Moore – October Mist
“This gently shaded sage quietly anchors a space, while encouraging individual expression through color.”
Green is a color associated with growth and harmony, and Benjamin Moore’s 2022 color of the year choice, October Mist, is a splendid representation of these qualities. This gentle shade beautifully displays the warmth of nature and nurturing touch, making it a great choice for bedrooms, living areas, and kitchens. It is a color that provides an elegant backdrop for other colors, allowing them to take center stage. This is an important feature for designers looking for a color that complements their main color selection, and October Mist is it. The hints of silver and green combined make it a charming shade where imagination can soar. Selecting this color as the background color for your space will ensure a harmonious area that your family can enjoy and relax in. Discover Benjamin Moore’s favorite ways to use their color of the year on their website.
Behr – Breezeway
“A silvery green shade with cool undertones. The color is inspired by naturally stunning sea glass found on the shore of salty beaches.”
The salty sea is where Behr found the inspiration for their 2022 color of the year, Breezeway, a graceful infusion of silver and green. Many are drawn to the ocean’s cool breezes and peaceful vibes, which was the goal for Behr’s selection. Breezeway evokes a sense of coolness and peace, but it also has underlying tones that motivate us to embark on the journey ahead. It is a great color choice for bedrooms, home offices, and living areas, as it is both calm and invigorating. Your color choices matter and can significantly influence the atmosphere of your home, making your selection a crucial one. Breezeway is Behr’s choice for their 2022 Color of the Year, but it is also part of a color trend collection that can help you create the oasis you have always wanted in your home. Learn more by visiting their website here.
Ways To Use The 2022 Color Of The Year
Color is one of the most exciting elements in design, with numerous ways to incorporate it into your home. The new color of the year announcements will be visible throughout the design world and incorporated into various home decor and accent pieces. Some of the ways you can incorporate the color of the year include:
- Accent walls
- Front door repainted
- Furniture
- Pillows
- Area rugs
- Artwork
- Decor pieces
The mood of a home can be influenced by our color choices. Deciding to refresh your home through color can benefit you in numerous ways. Adding a calm yet invigorating color like Behr’s Breezeway to an office space can create a productive and non-stressful work environment. The splash of color that Pantone’s Very Peri brings to the home can be seen in pillows, rugs, or even an accent wall in a bedroom. The fresh start felt by Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog may be the perfect color choice for a laundry room or living room. Benjamin Moore’s October Mist could be the color you have been looking for to provide the backdrop to an art gallery in your hallway. The world of color is a delightful one that can bring the finishing touches you need to turn your house into a home, so don’t be afraid to explore.
Granite, Quartz, Marble, or Quartzite?
These are the top contenders when it comes to selecting the perfect countertop material for your kitchen or bathroom. Each one brings its own strengths, aesthetic appeal, and practical considerations—making the decision both exciting and a bit overwhelming.
Granite is a natural stone known for its durability and unique, one-of-a-kind patterns. Quartz, on the other hand, is an engineered surface that offers a wide range of color options and is prized for its low-maintenance qualities. Marble stands out for its timeless elegance and heat resistance, though it requires more upkeep. Quartzite closely resembles marble in appearance but offers greater durability and easier maintenance.
When making your selection, it’s important to consider factors such as heat and stain resistance, ease of maintenance, and of course, budget. Below, we break down the key differences, pros, and cons of each material to help you determine which surface best suits your lifestyle, design vision, and practical needs.
The kitchen pantry is often one of the most underutilized yet high-potential spaces in the home. While it can easily become a catch-all for clutter, a well-designed pantry is a true hidden gem—capable of transforming the functionality of your kitchen. From storing oversized serving pieces to housing everyday essentials, a thoughtfully planned pantry helps keep countertops clear and mealtime prep more efficient.
Whether you have a compact pull-out pantry, a spacious walk-in, or a dedicated butler’s pantry, innovative organization is key. A well-designed pantry not only maximizes storage but also supports the flow of your kitchen. Below, we’re sharing a few of our favorite design ideas and practical tips to help you better utilize your pantry space—and maybe even inspire your next kitchen upgrade.
Our showroom’s grand opening was the culmination of two years filled with vision, planning, and hard work—a dream brought to life through dedication and passion. Now, as we prepare to celebrate our second anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting on how quickly time has passed. It feels like only yesterday that we opened our doors and welcomed our very first clients into the space we’ve come to love so much.
Join us as we take a walk down memory lane and revisit the milestones, challenges, and moments that brought us to Uptown Shelby. This anniversary isn’t just a celebration of time—it’s a celebration of growth, community, and the relationships we’ve built along the way.
There is more to color than simply a large selection of hues. Color sends a message and can represent thought and emotion, especially in the world of design. Each year, Pantone announces its choice for the color of the year, a tradition that started in 1999, and designers everywhere eagerly await the news. Classic Blue was this year’s choice of color, a color that represents the future.
As we prepare to close the door on one decade and begin anew, many are filled with anticipation of what the coming year will bring. Blue has always been associated with stability, relaxation, and tranquility, as is seen in nature with the ocean and sky. We understand that hectic schedules and stressful office days generate a need for a place to unwind and completely relax. Here are a few ways to incorporate the color of the year into your home and give it that welcoming environment that will last throughout the coming decade and beyond.
Light is one of nature’s most captivating elements, and its presence has the power to transform a space. In the world of interior design, natural light plays a vital role—not only by enhancing aesthetics but also by elevating the overall atmosphere of a room. It can create dramatic contrasts that bring depth and interest to a space, while also highlighting architectural and design features.
Natural light, when thoughtfully incorporated, makes interiors feel larger, warmer, and more welcoming. At Greenbrook Design, we embrace a design approach known as daylighting—the intentional use of natural light to shape how a space looks and feels throughout the day. It’s one of our favorite tools in the design process.
Here are just a few reasons why we love incorporating natural light into our projects…






Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking