Jenny Marrs' 'go-to' color for breathing life into every style of home – and it's not white or beige

'It's one of the most inexpensive ways to completely transform a space': Dave and Jenny discuss the power of this versatile hue

Jenny and Dave Marrs
(Image credit: Courtesy of Jenny and Dave Marrs)

Nothing reveals more about a designer than their go-to color – and this remains the case with Fixer to Fabulous host Jenny Marrs. The HGTV star and her co-host, Dave Marrs, sat down with H&G to discuss the most transformative ways to elevate any style of home, and naturally, color was at the top of our agenda. So, which one reigns supreme?

'I love decorating with green: muted greens and deep greens, beige greens and mossy greens. I use this color a lot,' Jenny says. 

'As we all know, green is the color of nature, and I love bringing the outside in. I often incorporate plants, flowers, and cuttings from the tree to bring life inside the house, and green offers a similar energy. It's my go-to color that I use often.'

Green kitchen units

(Image credit: Roundhouse)

Whether we opt for a green kitchen, living room, or bedroom, Jenny explains her 'go-to' hue has the ability to refresh every style of home. And we can owe much of its success to its versatility – especially when used on a ceiling.   

'Your ceiling also makes a big difference. It sets the mood for a room. If you want a more traditional feeling, then I would paint the walls green and the ceiling trim white. Or, for a more moody feel, go bold and paint everything green. It just depends on the feeling you want to create,' she says.

'Paint really is one of those inexpensive to completely transform a space.'

Dave and Jenny Marrs
Jenny and Dave Marrs

Designer Jenny and expert craftsman Dave Marrs are the stars of HGTV's Fixer to Fabulous and Almost Home. Jenny also appears on Rock the Block (alongside designers including Jasmine Roth and Leanne Ford) and Design At Your Door (with Tamara Day and Tiffany Brooks). They currently live in a restored farmhouse in Northwest Arkansas.

Plus, the couple's paint advice extends far beyond their love for this failsafe organic hue.

'I would encourage people to follow what they like. If you want a pink house, or if you want an orange front door, then go for it,' Dave comments. 'Let these tones be a reflection of your personality, and don't be afraid of color. The great thing about paint is you can always change it.'

'That being said, pink rooms are making a big comeback,' Jenny adds. I've loved it for a long time because the right pink can be used as a neutral and look really beautiful.'

colors that go with light pink, green and pink bathroom, black mirror, faucet and pendant light, white basin, ornament on wall

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

As the couple explains, the power of paint is unrivaled, but alongside a color's aesthetic appeal, some shades have practical qualities, too. 

'Both paint and flooring make a huge difference, so if you want to lighten your room, invest in a lighter rug or paint the room a nice neutral white that has a little bit of warmth in it. This will transform the space,' Jenny says.

'Many people have dark spaces with a lack of natural light, dark cabinets, floors, and walls. However, if you're able to install lighter floors or sand down your floors, then it will brighten up the space.'


For more styling advice from the duo, we're picking up a copy of Jenny's book, available via Amazon below.

Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.