When it comes to creating the ultimate serene escape, take inspiration from the seaside with an ocean blue and a silvery gray, like the shoreline on a foggy morning, says Jason Grant, interior designer and author of
A Place Called Home. Since both shades are cool tones, there isn't as much contrast between them, which makes the duo easier on the eyes. Sea and sky colors tend to be a safe bet because they're so commonly found in nature that they're less likely to be pegged as the "it" tones of a certain decade, like the avocado '70s or mauve '80s.
