186 | Struggling With Paint Colors? Understanding Undertones With Maria Killam

Have you ever stood in front of dozens of paint swatches wondering why two “neutral” colors look completely different on the wall? Understanding undertones is one of the most challenging aspects of interior design—even for experienced designers.

Many homes today are filled with gray furniture, gray walls, and gray finishes, yet they still feel flat, cold, or unfinished. The missing piece? A deeper understanding of color theory, undertones, and how to layer color intentionally.

In this episode, I sit down with internationally recognized color expert Maria Killam to talk about how interior designers and homeowners can finally make sense of undertones and neutral colors. Maria has spent decades helping people avoid costly renovation mistakes by learning how color actually works in real homes—not just in theory. Her system for understanding undertones helps designers create timeless spaces filled with personality, warmth, and cohesion.

If you’re an interior designer who struggles with choosing the right neutral paint colors, selecting finishes that flow from room to room, or bringing life back into a gray room, this conversation will help you see color in a completely new way.

Featured Guest

Maria Killam is an internationally recognized color expert, design educator, and author known for her groundbreaking system for understanding undertones. Through her blog Color Me Happy, her True Colour Expert Training program, and her design consultations, Maria has taught thousands of designers and homeowners how to choose paint colors, finishes, and materials with confidence. Her mission is to help people avoid costly renovation mistakes and create timeless, joyful homes filled with personality and color.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✳️ How undertones determine the success of neutral colors

✳️ Why gray interiors need color to feel alive

✳️ The difference between warm and cool neutral palettes

✳️ How to identify undertones in paint and finishes

✳️ Simple ways to add color to gray rooms

Read the Blog >>> Understanding Paint Undertones

NEXT STEPS:

📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 👉https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/5moneymoves

🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start building a design career with clarity, confidence, and support, 👉https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor⁠

Check out our Designer's Playlist!

*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey

*️ From Newbie to Confident Designer

*️ Switching Gears to Interior Design

Grab your freebies:

📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design

🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career

Connect With Me:

📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com

🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign

🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com

Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...

Timestamps

0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio

2:46 Maria’s Journey From Corporate Job to Color Expert

6:48 How Maria Developed Her Undertone System

10:21 Understanding How Color Works in Interior Design

13:48 Creating Timeless Spaces Without Relying on Trends

17:00 Why Trends Can Lead to Costly Renovation Mistakes

20:36 The Importance of Neutral Finishes in Home Renovation

21:22 Why Homeowners Need Color Guidance

23:38 Trends Shifting Away From the White Box Aesthetic