Kristen Farrell x Sherwin-Williams: Behind the Hamptons-Inspired Paint Collection

Kristen Farrell & Co is a Hamptons-based design and development firm led by Kristen Farrell, who has been instrumental in shaping over 300 homes from Southampton to Montauk over the past 25 years . Renowned for creating timeless residences that blend luxury with coastal living, the firm emphasizes craftsmanship and harmonious design.

In a groundbreaking partnership, Kristen Farrell collaborated with Sherwin-Williams to launch a custom paint collection—the first of its kind for the paint company in its 150+ year history . This 24-color palette, inspired by the serene hues of the Hamptons, features shades like ‘Hamptons White,’ ‘Salt Bay,’ ‘Montauk Gray,’ and ‘Newport Navy’. Designed to simplify the selection process for homeowners, the collection brings the essence of coastal living to interiors nationwide.

To celebrate the launch, we paired Kristen’s paint colors with her favorite Kassatex products– towels, bath accessories and bedding collections that complement the palette’s serene sophistication.

We caught up with Kristen to talk about her journey as a designer, the story behind the Sherwin-Williams collaboration, and what’s next for Kristen Farrell & Co. Read on for our full Q&A.

Q&A with Kristen Farrell

Kassatex: What first sparked your interest in design and construction?
Kristen Farrell: For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to creating comfortable spaces, places to work, play, create, boat, and live. At the time, I didn’t realize this was an early expression of my interest in design and construction; I was simply shaping environments that felt right. They functioned well and felt like home.
From building treehouses as a kid to designing lofts in my college dorm, and later personally designing, building, and moving homes throughout the Hamptons over the past 25 years, I’ve come to understand that the design of a home is both an instinct and a learned skill.

Byron Surf by Kristen Farrell x Sherwin-Williams.

Kassatex: Can you tell us about your early days in the contracting world?
KF: I began my career as a lobbyist, where I worked closely with developers in the residential, self-storage, and multi-family sectors. I had my own business at 26 and I engaged with clients on site selection, permitting and the elements of architectural design that fit each hamlet or town. It was during this time that I was hired by my former husband to assist with a building project in Huntington, NY, my hometown.

What began as problem-solving for a condo complex eventually became the foundation of our personal and professional partnership. Within two years, we had relocated to the Hamptons to launch what was originally named Farrell Development and went on to become Farrell Building Company. I did not mind trading high heels for work boots and corporate building plans for luxury residential home design.

Kassatex: How did your background in contracting shape your design perspective?
KF: The quintessential push and pull between design and construction lies in the ability to actually build the beautiful thing a designer envisions. I bring the unique skill of speaking both languages—creative and technical—which has proven to be a significant asset to every finished product. It ensures that what’s imagined can be executed with both integrity and precision.

Selenite by Kristen Farrell x Sherwin-Williams.

Kassatex: When did you realize you wanted to merge both design and building?
KF: Every design decision informs the next, and you can’t construct what hasn’t been thoughtfully considered. My path wasn’t so much a realization as it was a happy accident. I’ve been doing this work since 2002, but what’s different now is the creative passion is under my own brand with a truly dedicated team. We take the time to layer in every element that makes a space not just beautiful but livable. Function first is my motto, then we add materials, texture, and detail to create a design that goes back to my roots: creating the feeling of home.

Kassatex: What was the turning point that led to your collaboration with Sherwin-Williams?
KF: I remember sitting in a meeting with the Sherwin-Williams team in 2018, explaining the need for a curated palette of neutral colors. We needed shades that could flow seamlessly from room to room, yet still stand confidently on their own. They needed to be light enough to feel calm and open, but also rich enough to contrast beautifully with crisp white trim and not wash out in the bright Hamptons light. That meeting was the turning point to creating our own collection.

Montauk Gray by Kristen Farrell x Sherwin-Williams.

Kassatex: How did the idea for a paint collection come about?
KF: I owe a lot of credit to our amazing Sherwin rep at the time, Nikki Parnell. She managed to run the idea up the chain of leadership and had us all convene in Ohio at the corporate headquarters. I left knowing this was a company I wanted to align with and saw a great opportunity to influence the conversation of color in the home environment.

Kassatex: What inspired the overall theme of the collection?
KF: The theme of the collection is the Hamptons lifestyle. The relationship between nature + light, indoor + outdoor living, heritage + architecture, seasonal + coastal and inspiration + mood.

Kassatex: Were there specific homes or projects that influenced the color palette?
KF: At the time I was designing in excess of 15 homes per year. I learned very quickly that color changes based on nature, light and direction as well as the size of the room. I wanted colors that I could use over and over and observe the subtle differences within a particular range but also rely on the fundamental projection of the color.

Glacier Sky by Kristen Farrell x Sherwin-Williams.

Kassatex: Did you look to nature, fashion, or architecture for color inspiration?
KF: Always Nature! One of my favorite quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson is “Nature always wears the color of the spirit.” I am struck by the number of greens you can see in the spring or the color of the wildflowers hiking in Montana. Second to nature is travel. My daughter will tell you my fascination with hotel lobbies– this is such a fabulous resource for the intersection of unique design and architecture and when we travel to Europe or exotic places that is where you will find me.

Kassatex: Was there a particular mood or feeling you wanted each shade to convey?
KF: Yes! Color overall should not be serious. It should reflect the personality of the home or its owner. There is no wrong color. Each of the shades selected were based on a place or experience I have had and many of the names represent these locations, materials or moments.

Kassatex: What role does paint play in transforming a space, in your opinion?
KF: Paint is not just about color, it’s also about texture and finish. Matte finish on the walls and a satin or semi satin on the trim is a standard go to. Lately we have been using one color on the walls, ceiling and trim and changing the finish only to allow for greater depth and a very serene aesthetic. This was our approach in Montana where the goal was for what was outside the window to speak louder than the walls inside.

The industry is having a 2025 design moment using texture via limewash and various plaster applications. This can transform a space to feel depth traditionally only seen with the application of wallpaper.

Kassatex: What advice do you have for someone trying to choose the perfect paint color?
KF: First think about how you want to feel in the space– calm, inspired, excited. Let this guide the calmness or brightness of the color direction. Do not be afraid to ask for samples– at least three! Always go with your instinct.

Kassatex: What’s next for you— are more design collaborations on the horizon?
KF: Yes! We are currently planning the launch of our Kristen Farrell & Co Home Essentials Collection with Kassatex and this week we are live with our new mattress collection. Each of these collaborations have been born out of necessity. The questions I am asked most often are: what color should I paint this room, where do I buy sheets and what mattress do you like best. All of our favorite resources will now be in one place on our website.