How Devine Color Outgrew Its Can

And made you the palette.

It's been a wild, beautiful ride since I first mixed these original shades in my studio — and I'm beyond excited to bring Devine Color back to life, not as it was but as it would have grown over time.

For those new to this journey: Devine Color™ — Color Therapy From The Northwest — touched countless lives and walls over 25 years. I founded it in 1999, and it was built to empower homeowners to take charge of their color experiences in a way no paint brand had before. Get a taste of the goodness here — 

Seattle Times Throwback Article.

My colors transformed spaces into cohesive, beautiful reflections of people's lives — not just a single wall or room. Seamless, stunning environments that are impossible to forget or live without because it made you the palette.

And your stories prove it.

These came in over the years — emails, blog comments, letters. Here are some to help you remember yours:

Dorene
*"The colors ARE singing!"*

I would like to share my story as it is a GREAT example of using these color Palettes to choose fantastic colors for your home!!! I got out my color Palettes, put them on the floor with my favorite quilts and decor by the kitchen floor so I could see the woods and so on. I started checking off the colors that complemented all of that. I was shocked!!! Not a single yellow in the bunch — yet I used all my favorite things to choose these colors and my eyes were finally opened. I bought Hazelnut today and began painting my dining room and the result is absolutely gorgeous. The colors ARE singing!

Linn — Whidbey Island / Seattle
*"I don't think I have enough walls in my life."*

I just want you to know that I LOVE your paints!!! I just want to paint EVERY room. I have a little farmhouse up on Whidbey Island — the living room has one wall of Roast, one wall Hazelnut and the two others Crunch. I just love them!!! Here in Seattle I am just in the process of painting my family room Elephant. I am so amazed at the change in the whole feeling in there now. The only sad part for me is I don't think I have enough walls in my life.

Donna — Seattle area
*"Six years later, I still love it."*

Six years ago I painted the entire interior of my house with your paint. I love it! Now it's time for a few updates. My daughter's room is Thunder, and she has now decided she wants a pink room — she's 9. Her room is right off of the living room which is Cayenne on the walls and Whip on the trim.

Cheri
*"I'm continually satisfied with each room I paint."*

I took your suggestion of painting my living/dining room Devine Cocoa and made it happen! It's just the right combination of richness and contemporary look I wanted. Devine Cocoa looks great as it moves into the Devine Paprika kitchen, and the deep rich cocoa next to the Devine Glass hallway looks delicious. I also took a bold move and painted my dark basement music room Devine Cayenne with Devine Filbert on the ceiling and it is a cozy surround sound! I love the quality and richness of your paint line, and I'm continually satisfied with each room I paint. Thank you so much for your Devine inspiration!

Beverly
*"Your advice makes so much sense!"*

We painted the family room in Devine Shimmer today and it looks great! A few days ago I never would have believed that Devine Shade would work in my dark living room. Wrong! Devine Shade is exactly the right color and will give the room the power and drama it is lacking — it looks great with the low light and my antique furniture. I can hardly wait to get the entire room painted. Thank you — your advice makes so much sense!

Shirley — fireplace wall
*"Devine Rain is a lovely accent color in the great room."*

I recently re-painted an inset wall either side of the fireplace Devine Rain. The fireplace is Sierra Antique rock with red, brown, orange rust with gray-blue slate undertones. Devine Rain allows the gray-blue color to pop and focuses attention to the beauty of the rock. Devine Rain is a lovely accent color in the great room.

Donna D.
"I loved my house the moment I saw it, but now with color I love it even more."

I do love using a large palette of Devine colors in my house. I love how they layer as you go from room to room. I loved my house the moment I saw it, but now with color I love it even more!

Alicia
*"I've gone wild with your paint — and I am just so excited."*

My boyfriend and I have just bought our first home and I've gone wild with your paint and have been painting everything — not just the walls! I've done Cocoa in the entry which is small but now looks huge and very tall, Impala in the living room which is carried into the dining room, Hazelnut in the kitchen, Ginger on a small wall in the living room, and Olive in the master bath. I am just so excited.

Kelly
*"I'm trying to be brave and color."*

Love your paint! I am one of those paint-it-white types. I'm trying to be brave and color. I have Custard in my living room with a Filbert fireplace. Gorgeous.

Sharon
*"I did the whole house in Devine and love it."*

I did the whole house in Devine and love it. Paprika in the living room. Denim in the boys room. Berries in the girls. Peanut in the common areas. Love it all.

Tobie
*"LOVE the way it ties the home together."*

I have used your paints on the first and second floors of our home — main color is Reflection to show off warm stone and teak flooring. LOVE the way it ties the home together.

Lelle
*"I want that in your paint because I love it."*

I have used your paints on an entire house, now onto my next house with your paint! I want all main walls to be a light flesh tone — a light tan with warm pink undertones. I have seen a shade that makes everyone's skin color look great. Now I want that in your paint because I love it.

Jen
*"I am now a Devine convert!"*

I have never worked with better and more beautiful paints, I must say! I am now a Devine convert!

Robbie
*"You can redo them because you want to — not because you have to."*

Seven years ago I had you come and tell me the colors to paint my condo. The great thing about your paint colors is that after seven years, you can redo them because you want to — not because you have to.

Rebecca
*"We love Devine paint."*

We love Devine paint and have recently painted our kitchen/family room in Muslin.

Chicella
*"Every room is saying REDO!"*

I love all your colors. I have your book and the palette. I am very drawn to the oranges and limes. I have a great room that flows into the open kitchen and then a hall and bath and foyer all saying REDO!

Tyler
*"We taped each collection up on the cupboards and settled on the Espresso Blends Collection."*

My wife and I purchased all the different collections within Devine Colors. We have amazing light and our main concern was making sure the colors we chose for the walls and ceilings worked with our hickory cabinets and bamboo flooring. We taped each collection up on the cupboards and settled on the Espresso Blends Collection.

Karen
*"I am just so excited about this remodel."*

I've read almost every article on your blog. I ordered samples from the Shelly Collection since it includes Devine Custard and has the look I'm going for. I would love some one-on-one advice — I am just so excited about this remodel.

Laurena
*"I love the warm tone in your pictures."*

I love your colors — can't wait to try them out in the new house! We just bought a home and are having the popcorn ceiling removed before we move in. I do not want a white ceiling and I love the warm tone in your pictures.

Suzy — Pennsylvania
*"When I came across your site I thought I finally found the help I needed."*

My husband and I are in the middle of renovating an 1886 Victorian home in Pennsylvania. I've been trying to pick out a paint color for the parlor for two years now. I've been to every paint store and have paint chips galore. No color seems right. When I came across your site I thought I finally found the help I needed. I ordered the Trend-Proof Color Palettes and your book. The book was wonderful and it all made sense to me.

Those stories are why Color Baggage exists.

I am currently remastering my original Devine Color formulas — like Taylor Swift reclaiming her music. If you have a specific color you're searching for, write to me. I'll remake it for you in my new 

Colorwright® craft. Same resonance. Same harmony. A new can big enough to hold it.

I want to hear yours. Write to me. I read every one.

FROM BAGGAGE TO BELONGING
Gretchen Schauffler is a Puerto Rican transplant deeply rooted in the Pacific Northwest. She combines the nature of color with memory, experience, and spiritual wisdom to make her colorwright® palettes and wallpaper designs. Available at Color Baggage.

If this sparked something — I'd love to hear about it. Share your story in the comments, tag us with #ColorBaggage, or write to frontdesk@colorbaggage.com.
Remember, you're the palette!
G

BTW Happy Devine Color 25th Anniversary