The Colors Everyone Avoids—But We Secretly Love

Welcome to Creative Digest, a weekly peek inside the world of Estro Studio—an interior design and creative agency founded by two women with incredible taste and a love for all things design. Each week, they’re sharing what’s inspiring them right now—from color palettes to flea market finds.

As designers, we’re always thinking about color, but lately we’ve been thinking about the misunderstood shades in particular. The ones that make people wrinkle their noses and say, “That’s an interesting choice…”

We’re talking about aubergine, chartreuse, chocolate brown, ochre, and burgundy. You know, the “ugly” colors—the moody, complex, slightly off ones that feel like they belong in a 1970s velvet living room or a European café that hasn’t been repainted since 1962.

They’re lived-in, layered, and full of personality. Maybe our obsession with “pretty” has gone a little too far—too beige, too safe, too expected.

So let’s break the rules a little. Here are some of our favorite paint colors, furniture pieces, and tips for using them in ways that feel unexpected, bold, and utterly unforgettable:

Auburgeine

Somewhere along the way, purple got bad PR. We’ll admit—we weren’t fans for a while either. But when you deepen the hue and add a touch of warmth, you’re left with something entirely different: a sophisticated aubergine or plum. Lately, we’ve found ourselves sneaking it into nearly every project. It’s that unexpected, moody tone that pairs beautifully with brighter, punchier colors.

Chartreuse

A true standby for us, chartreuse adds an instant infusion of energy. We can't help but smile when we see it—it’s unexpected, a little quirky but in the best possible way. It feels like your cool artist aunt’s favorite color… and honestly, we love that.

Chocolate Brown

This one isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but it’s officially replaced black for us. It’s a softer, warmer hue that still delivers the depth and contrast we love. There’s something so luxe about it— it instantly makes a space feel cozy, layered, and lived-in. We’re forever chocolate brown people at heart—it’s become our ultimate neutral.

Ochre

This one’s a bit of a hot topic—you either love it or you don’t. We’ve always had a soft spot for yellow, and this feels like her sophisticated sister. It’s well-traveled and soulful.When done right, it strikes that ideal balance between olive green and yellow—an unpredictable hue that somehow always feels just right.

Burgundy

Think aubergine with a little extra spice — that’s burgundy. It has so much energy, and when paired with a true red, it feels playful and full of personality. We were red skeptics for a while, stubbornly avoiding it, but we’ve truly come around. Now we love using it to bring life and warmth to a space

So here’s to the misunderstood hues. You’re not just choosing a color—you’re choosing a mood, a personality, and a story. And let’s be honest, the colors worth loving are never the safe ones.

Until next time on Creative Digest

Xoxo,

Estro Studio