Totally agree about lighting—it can completely shift how colors feel in a space. Had a similar experience with a client's kitchen recently. They picked this soft sage green for the cabinets, looked amazing in natural daylight, but under their original cool white LEDs it turned into this weird minty toothpaste shade... not exactly appetizing for a kitchen, haha.
We ended up experimenting with warmer bulbs and even added some indirect lighting strips under the upper cabinets. Made a huge difference—brought back that cozy, earthy vibe they originally wanted. It's funny how much trial and error goes into getting colors just right. Sometimes it's not even the paint that's off, just the lighting playing tricks on us. Glad you sorted yours out too!
Had something similar happen recently with a client's dining room. They wanted this deep midnight blue accent wall paired with brass fixtures—looked stunning during the day, sophisticated and moody. But at night, under their existing harsh overhead lights, it turned cold and almost clinical. Ended up swapping in some softer Edison bulbs and adding dimmable sconces on either side. Instantly warmed up the whole room... lighting really is half the battle when it comes to color.
Interesting how lighting changes things so drastically... Have you ever tried pairing a bold color like that midnight blue with warmer wood tones? Wondering if that combo might naturally balance out harsher lighting situations.
Midnight blue with warm wood tones can indeed soften some lighting harshness, but it might not always be a guaranteed fix. I've seen spaces where the contrast actually amplified shadows, making the room feel a bit gloomy. It really depends on the wood finish—lighter, honey-toned woods tend to balance things better than darker, reddish woods. Maybe test it out first with smaller elements before committing fully... lighting can be a tricky beast.
"lighting can be a tricky beast."
Haha, ain't that the truth... I've definitely had my fair share of battles with lighting too. Midnight blue with warm wood can be stunning, but you're right—it can get moody real fast if you aren't careful. Personally, I find mixing in some brass or gold accents helps a ton. Adds warmth and reflects just enough light to keep things cozy rather than cave-like. Worth giving it a shot before changing the whole scheme, maybe?
