Color, Light & Desert Life: Laurie Clark on Making Color Work
Real-life color wisdom, desert-tested whites, and what lighting doesn’t tell you
Choosing the right interior paint colors is never just about picking your favorite swatch. The light in your space, a color's undertones, the surrounding environment, and even what's outside your windows can completely change the way a color looks once it's on the wall.
And when you're choosing paint colors for home projects in Arizona, our strong desert light adds another layer to the decision.
To sort through what really matters when selecting color, we turned to Laurie Clark, Sherwin-Williams Senior Designer Account Executive for the Southwest. With more than 20 years at Sherwin-Williams (and a design degree under her belt), Laurie brings plenty of real-world color experience to the conversation.
From understanding undertones to choosing Sherwin Williams paint colors that can handle Arizona's unique light, here's what she wants homeowners to know before committing to a color.
From Interior Design to Sherwin-Williams
Q: How did your design background lead to working at Sherwin-Williams?
“I studied interior design back in the 80s, worked in the field, then paused to raise my kids. When I was ready to go back, I saw this position with Sherwin-Williams, and it was exactly what I was looking for. I basically stalked them until they hired me. That was in 2005!”
The Biggest Mistake When Choosing Interior Paint Colors
Cabinetry: Sherwin-Williams SW7044 Amazing Gray
Q: What's the biggest mistake people make when choosing color?
“Not checking undertones. I always say: look at colors on a white background, no wood, no stone, no color interference. Just white. That's when you can really see whether it leans pink, yellow, green, or gray.”
It's a simple step, but an important one. When comparing what might seem like the best interior paint colors for your home, subtle undertones can make a major difference once a color is surrounded by flooring, cabinetry, countertops, furniture, and natural light.
How Arizona Light Changes Paint Colors
Q: You work throughout Arizona. What should we understand about choosing color in our desert light?
“Light has a huge impact. Natural light, time of day, low-E glass in windows, landscaping, and even reflected color from outside can all change how a paint color reads. I had a client swear one room was painted a different color than the rest of the house, but it wasn't. Reflections from the turf outside completely changed the appearance. That's how sensitive color can be.”
Laurie's Pro Tip: Keep peel-and-stick samples on your walls throughout the day and pay attention to how the color changes from morning to evening. “Have coffee with it. Have dinner with it. See how it lives.”
That's especially valuable advice for Arizona homes, where abundant sunshine and strong natural light can make a color look very different depending on the room, window placement, and time of day.
A Go-To White for Arizona Homes
Q: What white paint do you recommend again and again?
“Sherwin-Williams Greek Villa. It's warm without being yellow, clean without feeling sterile. Alabaster is popular too, but it has a warm yellow undertone that doesn't work everywhere.”
Laurie's Pro Tip: Ultra White is rarely her first choice for Arizona interiors.
“It's just too bright for our strong sun. But that same white might be perfect in a snowy pine-filled cabin up north.”
The takeaway? There isn't one universally “perfect” white. Even popular Sherwin Williams paint colors need to be considered within the context of your home's architecture, finishes, surroundings, and natural light.
Creating a Calmer Home With Color
Library Nook Cabinetry: Sherwin-Williams SW0065 Vogue Green
Q: What colors work well for creating a calmer home?
“Spa tones: think sky blues, soft greens, muted teals. Even if the room isn't painted blue, just having that undertone can calm the energy in a subtle way. People feel better and don't always know why.”
Color doesn't have to make a dramatic statement to influence the way a room feels. Sometimes the most successful interior paint colors are the ones quietly supporting the mood you want to create.
Choosing Paint for High-Traffic Areas
Q: Best paint for walls in high-traffic areas?
“Sherwin-Williams Duration Home, of course. It's washable, scrub-resistant, and doesn't burnish. I've had it in my own house for over a decade. Unless you're repainting for color, it holds up beautifully.”
When you're remodeling a home that's meant to be lived in, choosing the right product matters just as much as choosing the right color. A durable Sherwin Williams paint can be especially important in busy spaces like hallways, kitchens, family rooms, and kids' rooms.
Laurie's Final Advice for Choosing Paint Colors
Q: Any final thoughts on choosing color?
“Everyone sees color differently. Sometimes couples argue, one sees blush, the other sees beige. That's okay! That's why designers exist, and why I do what I do: to be a bridge between the swatch and the space.”
Laurie's Quick Color Guide
Situation: Warm white wall color
Laurie's Pick: Greek Villa
Why It Works: Soft, versatile, not too gray or yellow
Situation: Bright but cozy interior
Laurie's Pick: Alabaster
Why It Works: Warmth without orange, great with wood tones
Situation: Durable finish for kids/pets
Laurie's Pick: Duration Home
Why It Works: Cleans easily, stays matte
Situation: Creating a restful space
Laurie's Pick: Spa tones, greens and blues
Why It Works: Calming without feeling dull
Situation: Testing color accurately
Laurie's Pick: Peel-and-stick samples
Why It Works: Test morning to night and see the shift
Building a Home Where Every Detail Works Together
Cabinetry: Sherwin-Williams SW7044 Amazing Gray
The right paint colors for home interiors don't exist in isolation. They work alongside your flooring, cabinetry, countertops, lighting, windows, furnishings, and the architecture of the space itself.
That's one reason thoughtful planning matters during a custom home build or a home remodel. At American Custom Build, we approach each project with the whole home in mind.
When your home is designed as a whole, choices like interior paint colors aren't simply added at the end. They're part of creating a space that looks good, feels right, and works for the way you actually live. If you’re ready to start planning your home, reach out to us today and let’s talk through your ideas, your needs, and what’s possible.
