Inside the Color Studio: Interview with Paige Ishmael
Have you ever stopped to think about why a building was painted a certain color? Why the details like the door or window frames were a certain color? Or why it was a particular texture? We have. A lot. As holistic designers, we feel color plays a large role in the experience someone has within a space. So, we created the color studio to better provide this service.
We sat down with our color studio manager, Paige Ishmael, PLA, to discuss the color studio and the value it adds to our projects.
Why was the color studio established?
The color studio was established over 20 years ago to fill a design gap we were seeing in developments. Architectural designs were often provided without specifying paint colors or material selections. And in renovations where there is no project architect, the paint colors still needed to be specified. So, the color studio was born. It's part of our holistic design process—we look at every single element of a site in order to make the space cohesive.
How does it add value to our clients?
It helps create a unified brand! All projects are multi-faceted; you have to consider logo design, signage, hardscape materials, building colors, masonry, and furnishings. There’s color and texture at every corner, and the color studio helps bring all these elements together into one cohesive vision.
How does color collide with landscape architecture? Why does it make sense for landscape architects to be involved?
We’re not architects, we’re not interior designers, but anything outdoors is fair game for us! As landscape architects, we’re uniquely positioned to provide this service because we’re exterior visionaries. When we look at a project, we consider someone’s experience at every moment. What will their initial impression of the property be? How will they feel when they enter the space? What are their framed views? Does this exterior feel comfortable? How can we make the outdoor experience a successful retail/community space or residential environment? These are all questions we automatically ask ourselves when approaching a design. And color is an essential component to making sure the desired aesthetics and ambience of a property are achieved.
What’s the process? How do you start?
We approach color design the same way we approach hardscape and landscape design. We strive to understand the value of the site. What is its cultural and historical significance? Who will be using the landscape? What is the aesthetic of the local community? And, of course, what are the goals of our client? We consider all these things to create a color palette that represents the identity of the property and highlights the architecture in all the right ways.
What are a few of your favorite projects? What are some success stories?
It’s truly amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do for a building’s appearance and overall value—every renovation we do is like watching a property go back 10 years in time. The properties we work on are so complex, and color can seem like such a simple, insignificant detail, but the impact that colors can have on a building is something I’ll never get tired of seeing. I really liked how the Lakewalk at Hamlin project came out. We took inspiration from the lake and surrounding landscape as well as Hamlin’s citrus production history. We blended neutral colors with pops of fresh modern colors and materials like cedar and steel for accents.
What’s your prediction for color trends? Favorite colors?
Trends and fads fade. I think the best colors are ones that bring out the life of the architecture and speak to the local community. Our goal for the color studio is to create an aesthetic that adds long-term value, so I always focus on timeless palettes that have just enough pop to create a unique identity. On a personal level, my favorite color is any version of aqua. It has such an energetic peacefulness to it. It just speaks to my soul.
Thanks, Paige! Color us impressed.
