A New Look at Finishes: A Conversation with Rachel Whitaker
It’s easy to think of finishes as just surface-level decisions. But at Watson, they’re anything but.
This year, we launched a completely refreshed finish palette, one that’s designed to stay relevant as trends come and go and to work beautifully across our entire product line. Behind that effort is Rachel Whitaker, our Design Manager. We sat down with Rachel to discuss why it was time for a change, how the new palette came together, and what she hopes designers will discover as they begin to work with it.
Why was it time for a new finish palette?
It’s been several years since our last major update. While we always want our finishes to be enduring, it’s also important to keep the palette feeling fresh and relevant for designers and end users. We also saw a chance to better align our surface and storage finishes so they could work together more cohesively.
What gaps were you hoping to fill with this refresh?
Historically, we’ve had a pretty limited selection of fabrics. The refresh changes that in a big way—we’ve launched a graded-in program that expands to four fabric suppliers and 75 colorways across eight patterns.
Another gap was consistency. Previously, some material groups had different saturation levels, so the overall palette lacked continuity. Now, we’ve coordinated tones across all materials to make it easier to mix and match.
This isn’t about chasing trends. So what is it about?
The refresh is about giving designers a range of options that enhance our furniture, whether they want pieces to pop or blend into a larger design. The finishes in the new palette are generally calmer and less saturated, which speaks to our commitment to understated beauty. Our products are designed with intention, and it just felt right to extend that same thinking to our materials.
What makes a finish feel both current and enduring?
It’s not really about one specific color. It’s about how finishes can combine across materials and how those combinations create a certain feeling in a space. That’s what makes something feel fresh today and still relevant years from now.
How did client feedback influence the new palette?
We didn’t run formal surveys, but we did look closely at sales trends from our previous offerings and researched material trends across contract, residential, and other industries. And we always pay attention during showroom visits—those conversations are incredibly valuable for understanding what resonates.
How does the new palette reflect Watson’s point of view as a manufacturer?
Many of the colors in the new palette are drawn from naturally occurring hues. The palette hints at nature and creates a calm, cohesive feeling. But we’ve also folded in some surprises through texture, pops of color, and wood grains with unique character. It all aligns with our design principles and feels distinctly ‘Watson.’
Which materials or combinations were most exciting for you to develop?
I’m really excited about the coordination between solid surfaces—like HPL, Fenix, and some Forbo—and our powdercoats. This allows for tone-on-tone or monochrome applications, where you can color-drench a product in a single hue or similar tones. Even with lower-saturation colors, it creates a bold, high-impact look that feels modern but not fleeting.
Muted monochromes and tonal ranges are a big part of this. Why do they matter now?
There’s definitely a trend toward high-contrast finishes, but also a growing interest in monochrome applications. The palette was developed with these trends in mind, but it doesn’t rely on them to be successful. Designers can lean into monochrome now and still have plenty of compelling options if trends shift back to contrast or different hues.
What does it mean for a finish to ‘work hard’ in the real world?
A finish that works hard is one that plays well in lots of different combinations. For example, a woodgrain with both warm and cool undertones can pair with a wider range of powdercoats and fabrics. We intentionally chose finishes that could flex across different palettes so they’d resonate with end users nationwide.
This palette is all about flexibility. What does that look like in practice?
Flexibility comes from having a full range of tones across all material groups. Designers can choose foundational finishes for permanent products—like the Edison Jr. rail—and then be more playful with accessories like fabric screens, lights, or planters. Down the road, those accessories can be swapped out for a new look while the core pieces stay the same.
Were there any surprises during development?
We always knew the refresh would touch every part of the company, but it was eye-opening to see how extensive the ripple effects were—from palette selection and approvals to digital representations, procurement, sampling, and marketing.
One fun surprise was Rosewood powdercoat making the cut. I worried it might read too feminine or niche, but it turned out to be a chameleon. Depending on what it’s paired with, it can feel bold or almost neutral.
Any personal favorites from the new finishes?
It’s hard to pick just one, but I’m partial to anything in the green-to-blue family. Standouts for me include Fenix Verde Kitami for surfaces, Green Basalt for powdercoat, and Bouclé Grid Ardoise for fabric.
How should designers start working with the new palette?
The ‘time of day’ mini palettes are a great starting point for designers who want fewer choices that they know will work well together. Otherwise, the full range offers lots of opportunities to create unique combinations. My advice is to start with the foundational finishes—like your surface or case finish—and then layer in powdercoat and fabrics to complete the story.
Looking ahead, how do you imagine this palette evolving?
This refresh has given us a strong core palette that can keep expanding as clients’ needs and tastes evolve. Some hues may phase out over time, but the foundation is solid and versatile. And with our expanded graded-in fabric program, we’re well-positioned to keep introducing new patterns and materials as we launch future products.
