Office Hours with Shea | No. Three

One of the defining elements of any Studio McGee project is its beautifully cohesive color palette. Whether it’s a new build or a renovation, there’s always a thoughtful thread that connects one room to the next—without every space feeling exactly the same. In this episode of Office Hours with Shea, our founder answers a follower-submitted question about how to achieve that same pulled-together feel at home. Her answer? It all starts with a vision—and a moodboard. You can watch the video here.

Shea explains that the key to creating a cohesive home color palette is to think of the house as a whole before diving into the details of each space. She begins her process by building a master moodboard that captures the overarching look and feel, then creates individual moodboards for each room to refine the direction. This approach helps her identify a few foundational colors that repeat across the home—like warm whites, soft taupes, or deep charcoals—which serve as visual anchors and allow the design to feel unified.

Once that base is set, Shea layers in unique accent colors for each room—whether it’s a dusty blue in the powder bath or a rich green in the home office. These intentional shifts add personality and depth while still supporting the broader palette. The result is a color story that feels curated and connected, not matchy-matchy.

If you have a design question of your own, drop it in the comments or send a DM through our Instagram @studiomcgee.