Does everyone else think Miami Dolphins when they see aqua and coral together? This is the kind of thing I think about while staring at paint chips.

One thing for sure, we all have our own preference of palette. One person's choice for tranquil colors might be too blasé for the next. And someone's go-to contemporary hues are most likely masculine or garish for another.

Color is dynamic. It defines spaces. It creates moods. It reflects light or gobbles it up. It disappears. It catches your eye. Colors are masculine, feminine, childish, sophisticated. They are cultural and historical. Relaxing. Energizing.

And more fascinating than than all of this, colors shift. They change depending on quality of light. They also take on characteristics of neighboring colors. A perfect example of this is a cool, light grey. It’s sometimes grey, sometimes blue, sometimes green, depending on the time of day or if the lights are on.

Yes, I really could go on and on. Color is my thing. So I was happy to work on this recent kitchen remodel, partly because the owners were not intimidated by color. They downright welcomed it. The challenge was achieving the right combination.

One main feature of the room is the Brazilian granite countertops. Using them as a starting point, we worked our way around the room selecting red for a highlight, a blue to compliment the granite and a warm brown to soften the new window panes.

For me, these colors are clean and smart and balanced. The red and blue energize each other while the earthy brown is grounding. Warm and cool together. When you walk into this room, it asks you how you feel and I like that.