Why red is my winter hero

A new name, a slow start, and a push for the color red

Hi!

This email might look a little different because I’ve officially moved my newsletter to Substack—and with that, it has a brand-new name: Statement Wall. (Shoutout to my friend GG for helping me land on the name!) Naming it felt like giving it a fun little personality, which we will unpack another time.

If you were already on my email list, thanks for sticking with me during the transition! If you’re new, welcome! Either way, here’s what you can expect:

• Color stories to inspire bold moves at home.

• Practical design tips to help you feel more confident experimenting with color.

• Curated finds to make your home (and life) a little brighter.

• And because I’m a chronic oversharer, you might also get a random story or two along the way.

Today’s newsletter is a mixed bag. Thanks again for being here!

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A Slow Start

This month, I decided to try something new: a slow start. I’m usually that person who gets annoyingly productive between Christmas and New Year’s, riding that momentum straight into January. But this time, I let myself ease in, and I’m so glad I did because January has been… a lot. It’s felt like one of those months that throws everything at you all at once. When life starts to feel like that, I’ve learned how important it is to slow down and savor the small, happy moments wherever you can.

For me, that’s where color comes in. It might sound silly, but I’ve always felt like color has this incredible way of shifting how we feel, like a magic mood booster. I feel so lucky to share that with people through my work—and now with all of you here! So with that, let’s get into one of my tiny joys this month: the color red.

My January Color: Red 🌶️

This month’s color is inspired by winter in the Hudson Valley. You’re probably wondering how a bright red fits into the moody gray days we’ve been having here, but that’s exactly the point: red is my antidote to the gloom! It’s been popping up in my wardrobe, on my desk, and in random moments around the house, and it makes me feel amazing every time I see it.

Why Red Works

I’m no stranger to red (the photos on the mood board above are from my home), and you probably aren’t either, thanks to the unexpected red theory that took off last year. But red has always been powerful because it makes you feel something.

In case you need a little more convincing, here are three reasons why red rules:

• It commands attention. Love it or hate it, red grabs your focus and doesn’t let go. That’s why the unexpected red theory works (and why stop signs are red, not blue).

• It gives you a confidence and energy boost. Red stimulates your nervous system and increases your heart rate, giving you a burst of energy. When my clients try red in their homes, they always feel more confident in their choices. Fun fact: Red is also known to increase appetite, which is why you’ll often see it in kitchens—or in the branding of restaurants and food chains like McDonald’s, KFC, etc.

• It symbolizes power. Red is dramatic and bold. A red chair, decor piece, or architectural element instantly stands out and influences the whole vibe of a room. That’s pretty dang powerful.

Just for fun: What’s one red item you can bring into your home for a test run?

Bits & Bobs

A collection of things sparking joy for me this month:

• One of my favorite January traditions is starting a fresh notebook. This year, I’m using this journal to jot down one thing I’m grateful for or one thing that made me smile that day.

• My friend Aja just launched her travel accessories brand, Cram, and their first product is a set of colorful packing cubes in dreamy combos. I’m beyond excited for her—and selfishly thrilled for us, because now we can finally snag these beauties!

• This cheerful pencil sharpener makes me smile every time I use it.

• Tempted to swap my utensils for a rainbow cutlery set. Maybe unnecessary, but the heart wants what it wants.

• Possibly one of the best outfits I’ve ever seen (on theme: the pop of red!).

Ask Me Anything

I was going to title this section “COLOR AMA,” but then I read it as “Colorama,” which made me laugh (and honestly, it might need to be added to my vocabulary now). Colorama: the joyful exploration of all things color?

Anyway, send me your color design dilemmas! I’d love to answer a few in upcoming newsletters.

x Daniela