Park City is in full bloom and we thought it would be a great idea to open this week's post with paint colors to brighten your home and mood. We will also share some of the international bites in town as well as where to get great cups of local coffee. If picking out a paint color was easy, we’d all do it a lot faster in The 10 Living Room Paint Colors Design Pros Swear By. Paint may not cost a ton, especially if you’re DIYing the job. But who wants to waste time putting the wrong color up on their walls? Here, 11 designer-approved living room paint shades—straight from the designers themselves.
Benjamin Moore King Arthur’s Court (1081) - “Benjamin Moore’s King Arthur’s Court in a matte finish is such an elegant and earthy backdrop, perfect for creating a mood of calm and airy lightness in a living room,” says designer Caitlin Murray, founder of Black Lacquer Design.
Behr Campfire Ash (N320-1) - “One of the best colors for a living room is Campfire Ash from Behr,” says designer Linda Hayslett of LH. Designs. “It’s a great easy, soft color that can blend with any style and space. It’s casual and comfy all at the same time since it’s a greige color.”
Sherwin-Williams Pure White (SW7005) - “Sherwin-Williams’ Pure White is my go-to paint color for living room spaces,” says designer Abbe Fenimore, founder of Studio Ten 25. “I love the fresh feel of white walls and how it creates the perfect backdrop for any color palette. Many people are not a fan of white walls because they show every scuff, but keeping a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser around easily solves that problem.”
Benjamin Moore Graphite (1603) - “When we want to go bold, our go-to living room paint color is Benjamin Moore’s Graphite,” says Jess Blumberg of Dale Blumberg Interiors. “It’s the perfect warm charcoal, so it works with just about any other neutral or color scheme.”
Benjamin Moore Grey Owl (2137-60) - “Lately, I’m focusing even less on color and more on the texture like Venetian Plaster,” says designer Ana Claudia Schultz of Ana Claudia Design. “First, you select your base, Grey Owl from Benjamin Moore is my go-to, then add white plaster to it (the process is more complicated than it sounds so I suggest you hire a professional). Once completed, your space will still be light and bright but full of depth and texture.”
Benjamin Moore Misty Gray (2124-60) and Slate Teal (2058-20) - “One of my favorite whites is called Misty Gray by Benjamin Moore,” says designer Jennifer Wallenstein of September Workshop. “It’s bright and crisp without feeling stark and works beautifully with warm and cool tones. But I am also a fan of a bold wall, and Slate Teal by Benjamin Moore is an amazing shade of blue that comes alive in sunlight and feels perfectly moody at night.”
Behr Bit of Sugar (PR-W14) - “Behr’s Bit of Sugar, a fan favorite, is a trustworthy white with minimal undertones,” says Atlanta-based interior designer and blogger Kevin O’ Gara. “I specified a high gloss finish for extra shine, adding a bit more luminosity to the living room and maximizing the natural light we get in the space.”
Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (HC-168) - “We love to use a deep tone like Benjamin Moore’s Chelsea Gray in a living room with so much natural light,” says designers Cynthia Stafford and Lindi Bolinger of TruDesign Colorado. “Using a deeper color in an area more prone to the use of artificial light has a tendency to make the space feel smaller.” But when natural light is present, the opposite is true. “It can really open up your living room and allows you to play with more color when it comes to furniture, draperies and accessories,” says Stafford and Bolinger.
Benjamin Moore Simply White (0C-117) - “Simply White is a softer warmer white that allows for a perfect canvas as we design a living room,” say the designers at Hudson + Bloum. “We have used in our coastal projects and also our mountain project—it’s always clean and fresh.”
Behr Seagull Gray N360-1 - “Behr’s Seagull Gray is the perfect gray that is not too cool and not too warm,” says designer Gail Wright of Gail Wright At Home. “It is just a subtle touch of color for your walls that goes well with any other color you want to incorporate into the room.”
Park City Magazine shares Prowling Park City for Global Goodies - 7 Local dishes that deliver scrumptious international flavor. A ski town with a mining past life might not be the first place you’d expect to find exotic restaurant foods. But in the case of Park City, global cuisines are deliciously well represented, from Asia to the Caribbean and South America to Australia. Let’s take a tour.
Shabu owners Kevin and Robert Valaika refer to what they cook up as “freestyle Asian cuisine.” And a big draw here is Mongolian-style shabu shabu, where you cook your own proteins and veggies right at the table in a cooker filled with a choice of fragrant broths. 442 Main St, 435.645.7253, shabuparkcity.com
It’s a real treat finding the sunny, authentic flavors of Jamaica in a snowy ski town. At 11Hauz in Kimball Junction, you’ll find dishes like jerk chicken and even the traditional Jamaican dish, ackee and saltfish. Ackee is a pear-shaped fruit of the soapberry family that sort of has a scrambled egg consistency. When it’s cooked up with salted cod, onions and peppers, you’ve got some serious island flavors going down, “mon.” 1241 Center Dr, 435.200.8972, 11hauz.com
If you’ve never had pho—or, even if you’ve had lots of it—you’ll be licking your lips for the pho at PC Pho. A traditional Vietnamese soup, pho is to Vietnam as ramen is to Japan. Pho broth is cooked for many hours, usually made with beef bones, fragrantly spiced with star anise, cloves, cinnamon and other good things, then served with rice noodles and a choice of meats and veggies. I especially enjoy the beef brisket and meatball pho at PC Pho…pho sure. 1890 Bonanza Dr, 435.214.7027
For upscale Japanese cuisine and sushi, it’s hard to beat Yuki Yama Sushi. Alongside both traditional and contemporary rolls, nigiri, sashimi and such, are enticingly unique dishes such as kobujime hirame. Kobujime hirame is simply fresh fluke (hirame) treated to a preparation method called kobujime, where the fluke is cured between sheets of kombu (kelp). It’s served with grilled grapefruit oroshi daikon, ponzu, and crispy sunchokes. 586 Main St, 435.649.6293, yukiyamasushi.com
A favorite staple from south-of-the-border is pozole, a traditional Mexican stew made with (typically) pork, onions, hominy and red chile peppers. At Chubasco Mexican Grill, pozole is served authentically, with an array of accoutrements that includes tortillas, chopped onions, oregano, shredded lettuce or cabbage, radishes, salsa, and more. In Mexico, pozole is served to celebrate New Year’s Eve, but at Chubasco you can enjoy it year-round. 1890 Bonanza Dr, 435.645.9114, elchubascomexicangrill.com
When Bridge Café & Grill owner Emerson Oliveira was growing up in Brazil, he probably never imagined he’d be bringing some of the flavors of his homeland to Utah. But with dishes like moqueca baiana, he’s doing precisely that. The bold flavors of Bahia permeate this seafood stew made with shrimp, fish, mussels and clams, all cooked with tomatoes, onions and garlic, plus two Brazilian secret weapons: coconut milk and dendê (palm) oil. It’s a taste of Brazilian sunshine. 825 Main St, 435.658.5451, thebridgecafeandgrill.com
Down under, in Australia, chook is a word used for chicken or hen. And at Aussie-owned Five5eeds restaurant, the savory waffle and chook is a bright taste of Australia: a waffle with chorizo, spinach, and haloumi cheese, topped with tasty morsels of chook. This is scrumptious chicken and waffles, Southern hemisphere style. 1600 Snow Creek Dr, 435.901.8242, five5eeds.com
Food leads us to coffee in Beyond Starbucks: A Guide to Park City’s Indie Coffee Shops Drink coffee, change your world. While Park City’s coffee culture is not quite as established as it is in places like Portland or San Francisco, here you’ll find plenty of charming local joints where you can sip a cup a really good joe, and even couple of local small-batch craft roasters that will satisfy even the most discerning coffee snobs. So take a chance, forego that first impulse to hit up Starbucks and check out these great independent shops around town, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed! (And yes, WiFi is free and available at all of these locations)
Atticus Coffee & Teahouse - A quintessential independent coffee shop, the centrally located Atticus Coffee & Teahouse (738 Main Street) is all the right kinds of funky. Inside you’ll find a cozy seating and a collection of books and souvenirs made by local artists. Instead of a regular coffee, try one of their unique specialty drinks like the Mexican Mocha (spicy dark chocolate) or the store’s namesake, The Finch (Cubano style latte topped with cinnamon). And if you’re looking for a budget-friendly and healthy bite, Atticus is also a reliable place to grab breakfast bagel or sandwich (vegetarian and vegan-friendly options available).
Lucky Ones Coffee - Tucked inside Park City Library, Lucky Ones Coffee (1255 Park Ave) is undoubtedly one of those businesses that will give you warm fuzzys. The operation was started by Katie Holyfield and Taylor Matkins with a special mission in mind: to employ people with disabilities and change the narrative. Everyone is super friendly and we guarantee you’ll leave there with a smile on your face. The library entrance is also one of the best places in town to hang out or do a little work while enjoying a perfect view of library field where Park City’s many dogs come to play with their owners.
Java Cow - If you’re looking for a coffee shop that pays attention to the details, the Java Cow (402 Main St) is the place. Though this longtime Park City business is well-known for it’s homemade ice cream (it’s not unusual for the line for cones to extend out the front door), here they also serve authentic croissants, made according to French method; homemade biscotti, and a wide assortment of coffee drinks, both hot and cold, made with the Logan, Utah-roasted Caffe Ibis coffee.
Campos Coffee - Looking to make their mark in North America, Australia’s Campos Coffee opened their first outpost, also called Campos Coffee (1385 Lowell Ave, Ste AC-106), at the base of the slopes in Park City Mountain’s Town Base. Steps away from the ski lifts, this shop is an ideal pitstop in the morning before hitting the trail and afternoon breaks for a pick-me-up to keep you shredding into the evening. Don’t stop at just coffee, fuel up with smashed avocado toast or and Australian Jaffle (just beware the Vegemite if you’ve never tried it!) Note: Campos Coffee closes during the shoulder season when the resort is on break; stay up to date with hours of operation here).
Stoked Roasters & Coffeehouse - One of Park City’s newest coffee joints, STOKED Roasters (268 Main Street) claims to be the “official coffee of the outdoors.” We’re inclined to believe it given the shop is the passion project of local athlete and professional ultra-runner Jax Mariash (more about this epic wonder woman here). Inside you’ll find plentiful seating, a quiet and friendly atmosphere ideal for working, and a mean cup of coffee. You can also get a dose of inspiration if you’re lucky enough to come in when Mariash is around (or from the epic adventure art on the wall).
Pink Elephant Coffee Shop - You might have some difficulty finding Pink Elephant (509 Main Street) if you don’t know where to look: get there by walking through the Prospect clothing store and up to the second floor. The building is actually home to four local businesses that are worth patronizing (read about the collective here). Founded by passionate coffee roasters Kelley and Mitch Baker, Pink Elephant is all about craft coffee and a gem for any coffee connoisseurs out there. The shop is a tight space and the seating is limited, but perfect if you’re looking for really good coffee or somewhere quiet and away from the crowds. Don’t look for any sugary/sweet drinks here, it’s all about accentuating the flavors of the beans in this shop!
Silver King Coffee - Yes, sitting around leisurely drinking coffee can be great, but sometimes you just want to get your cup of joe and go. For those occasions, Silver King Coffee (1409 Kearns Blvd) is a convenient solution. Park City’s one and only drive-thru shop, Silver King Coffee looks like a cute little ski shack, complete with a red roof. It’s large enough for only the employees to enter, meaning you drive or walk up to get your coffee fix. In addition to warm and cold coffee drinks, they also have smoothies, tasty breakfast burritos, assorted pastries, and trail mix if you need a snack on the go.
PC Coffee Roasters - Colorful, upbeat, and friendly, PC Coffee Roasters (1764 Uinta Way, Ste B-1) is a local favorite with plenty of regulars for good reason. Not only is their freshly roasted and delicious coffee made right here in town, the service in this shop is impeccable. In addition to coffee, they serve a whole range of pastries, all day breakfast items, sandwiches, and more. Dietary restrictions? No worries, they have you covered with gluten and dairy free options. Chairs, couches, and outdoor seating make this a prime shop for meet-ups and working.
Hugo Coffee - You can’t get more Park City than branding your business with your pup. That’s what Claudia McMullin did when she made her rescue dog Hugo the face of her coffee business in 2014. The bright, colorful bags of beans emblazoned with a dog face are widely available at grocery stores around town, but you can also get the coffee straight from the source at the Hugo Coffee Shop (1794 Olympic Pkwy), housed inside the Park City Visitor’s Center in Kimball Junction. All the beans are roasted in small batches right in town so you can rest assured you’re getting the freshest product possible. The mountain views through the floor to ceiling windows are killer and do a nice job of bringing the outdoors in.
