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Dan Pelosi doesn’t just cook with color—he decorates with it, too. The very place where our February cover story star tinkers with new recipes and makes his famous vodka “sawce” for family and friends (psst: it’s his Upstate New York kitchen) is drenched in seven different Farrow & Ball paints, each one bolder than the next. Sticking largely to two primary colors—red and blue—worked to the cookbook author’s advantage. The mix of cool and warm shades create a high level of contrast next to each other, so everything in the space, from the island to the pantry cabinets, gets to feel like a star.
The Walls
Dan’s pick: White Tie by Farrow & Ball
You can also try: Swiss Coffee by Behr and Timeless by Clare
This creamy white sets the stage for Pelosi’s rainbow-infused kitchen and adds an extra layer of warmth to the tongue-and-groove paneling. Because of its yellow undertones, it plays nicely with the other warm pinks and reds in the space.
The Cabinets
Dan’s pick: Dix Blue by Farrow & Ball
You can also try: Drizzle by Sherwin-Williams and Renew Blue by Valspar
Featuring a hefty dose of green, this blue feels especially fitting in a home that’s so intertwined with nature. A shade as cool as this one also deserves mod hardware: Pelosi finished his doors with handles dipped in the same color so they blend right in.
The Ceiling Supports
Dan’s pick: Bamboozle by Farrow & Ball
You can also try: Negroni by Backdrop and Ryan Red by Benjamin Moore
You’d think white would be the obvious color for support beams if you’re going for that airy, lofted feel. But actually, Pelosi’s fiery red ones have taught us that a punchy color draws the eye up and forces you to awe over the space’s soaring ceiling.
The Island
Dan’s pick: Vardo by Farrow & Ball
You can also try: Carton by Little Greene and Bubble Turquoise by Behr
Here’s a trick when figuring out what color to paint your island: select a hue that’s slightly more saturated than your cabinets. This rich teal brought the right touch of fun to a traditional farmhouse style.
The Dining Chairs
Dan’s pick: Fruit Fool by Farrow & Ball
You can also try: Red 03 by Lick and Victorian Rouge by Dunn-Edwards
Don’t just paint the millwork. The pro of scooping up a set of antique chairs is that you won’t feel guilty swathing them in a color like this that is reminiscent of sweet treats.
The Pantry Cabinets
Dan’s Pick: Rectory Red by Farrow & Ball
You can also try: Foxy by Portola Paints and Radish by Sherwin-Williams
Don’t want anyone to realize there are appliances hiding out behind your cabinets? Go with a red so bold and that will be the only thing guests talk about.
The Pantry Trim
Dan’s Pick: Cook’s Blue by Farrow & Ball
You can also try: Stromboli Chess Club by Backdrop and Mambo by Little Greene
Probably the most fitting color to make an appearance in Pelosi’s house is this deeply pigmented hue, Cook’s Blue.