By Mi-Ling Stone Poole –

DEAR MI-LING: I am planning to repaint a study for my husband and I would like it to be a masculine color yet something that I would feel comfortable living in as well. The study is off the front entry and open to the main house.

The rooms are a neutral buff color. I have seen homes where people paint one or two rooms a dark red color or something bold and it seems to jump out at you when you walk in the front door.

Do you have an idea as to what color would be good for a masculine office but with a softer side?

Color Challenged

DEAR COLOR CHALLENGED: Selecting paint color is a personal choice. But one of the first things you can do is find an inspiration piece that will pull in all the colors from the adjoining rooms.

If you still can’t decide, go to your husband’s closet and select his favorite shirt or tie, and have those colors duplicated in the space.

Consider your surroundings and use a color that is two or three shades darker than your current color.

Something in the chocolate or beige family should work in the space with the buff wall color.

If you’re still at a loss, visit the spice rack in your pantry and consider some of those colors.

Cinnamon, anise, tarragon or mustard are possible choices.

All of these colors are warm colors with lots of feel-good possibilities.

How do you select colors for your home?