Hey lovely,
I’m so excited to launch a brand new series with you, The Paint Palette Diaries, where I’m sharing the very best paint colours I’ve curated over years. These are not just any colours; these are iconic shades people adore, and I’ve spent months crafting and fine-tuning every single one.
When I was creating Lick’s palette, it wasn’t something that happened overnight. It honestly took me months – if not years – because I wanted every shade to be spot on. I spent so much time talking to press, interior designers, and most importantly, our community. And do you know what I kept hearing? Colour paralysis. People feeling totally overwhelmed by too much choice. Not knowing where to even start, which tone to trust, or how a colour might shift in their room, depending on direction and light. It’s no wonder the whole process can feel confusing – even stressful – and that’s exactly what I wanted to solve.
One thing I kept seeing again and again was people getting totally fixated on one shade. They’d say to me, ‘I love sage green,’ and I’d say, okay, let’s slow down and look at the space as a whole. Colour is this beautiful, complex language, and it’s worth understanding your room before you make your final paint choice. Sage green in one home can look completely different in another — it all depends on things like your flooring, the direction your room faces, and the natural light. That’s why I always encourage clients to start with the bigger picture: think about the mood and feeling you want the space to have first, and then we can fine-tune down to the exact tone that’s really going to bring that to life.
So in this series, I’m doing a deep dive into a few of Lick’s colour which I created as a result of listening to customers and experts worldwide. These colours are bulletproof. They work in every style of home, any room direction, and literally anywhere in the world. Whether your style shifts or your mood changes, these colours are so versatile that you can layer in different tones through accessories for a totally new look without repainting.
Green 05
This is one of the most complex colours in the palette and it always surprises people. It’s a yellow-based green, leaning into olive: warm, full of life and energy. It’s on the darker side but the generous yellow pigment makes it radiant, warm, and welcoming.
I love green because it’s restorative, uplifting, and so connected to nature, it feels effortless on the eye. Perfect for a north-facing room lacking sunlight, it also works beautifully in lively kitchens and adds luxe energy even when used on a cupboard as a pop of colour. This colour shifts subtly depending on light but always feels sophisticated and inviting. This colour can go in any room, any style.
In the Living room example below, they have colour drenched the room in Green 05, then offset with an orange chair and the marble fireplace. Yes, this green could be seen as a traditional colour, but here you can really see how contemporary and modern it can feel too. This room is north-facing and lacks natural sunlight, so a great colour to lean into that dark energy.
In the kid’s room example I love how Nicole upcycled a cupboard in Green 05. It just looks so premium, a pop of colour, again showing how versatile this colour can be and how beautifully it complements neutrals.
White 06
Not in my original 50 colour palette when we launched, this creamy, delicate white with a pink undertone quickly became a must-have. It’s truly foolproof and works absolutely anywhere, from Parisian apartments to dark, rainy London basements. Its warm, soft pink undertone means it never feels stark or cold, and it’s a perfect anchor colour that pairs effortlessly with every other shade. Whether you love blues, greens, or brights, this white will ground your home with timeless, welcoming warmth.
I use it in client’s homes all the time, in all the rooms! In these examples you can see just how well it works in a kitchen, a hallway, and open plan living space.
Beige 03
The beige that is anything but boring. Introduced two years later, this beige hits all the right notes with a perfect balance of warm and cool pigments, black and yellow, that give it sophistication and versatility. It’s that colour which feels effortlessly chic whether you want a Scandi vibe, something more traditional, or a Soho House style. Beige 03 is grounding and comforting, especially magical when lamps glow in the evening, perfectly showing off its complex undertones. You can see it work in very different rooms, a bathroom or bedroom, and it just suits every style.
Red 03
This terracotta red is iconic and endlessly adaptable. It can take on so many personalities, from Marrakech-inspired vibes to cosy energising pinks. I carefully balanced it with brown pigments to knock back saturation, so you get richness without feeling overstimulated. Whether as an accent or a full colour drench, Red 03 gives you bold vibrancy without overwhelm. It layers beautifully with earthy tones or bright accents, making it incredibly versatile and decorative. You can clearly see in these examples how people have taken this colour and made it their own.
Teal 01
This colour is one of the best examples of pigmented paint behaving beautifully in natural light. Teal 01 dances and changes through the day, cool, calm blue tones in the morning and lively green hues as evening light warms your space. It’s low saturation means it won’t overpower your room, pairing exquisitely with burgundy accents or soft linens. It has this serene energy that adapts to your lifestyle and space effortlessly.
These colours are strong and confident, but they also make dipping your toe into colour easy. I’ve done the long, hard work for you, perfecting these shades so they simply work. They’re in hundreds of thousands of homes worldwide, and they’ll look incredible in yours too.
I’ll be sharing tips, inspiration, and styling ideas for each colour as we go. I cannot wait to take you deeper into this world and help you find your perfect paint colour with confidence.
Tash xx
Photos all from Lick