Color Palettes Inspired by the Crescent City
- Laura Kuhn
- May 27
- 2 min read
Updated: May 27
Color Palettes Inspired by the Crescent City—Because New Orleans doesn’t do beige.
In New Orleans, color isn’t just aesthetic—it’s attitude. It drips from shotgun houses and dances in second lines. It’s baked into beignets, stitched into Mardi Gras throws, and splashed across festival flyers. So it’s no surprise that when we design at Midnight Boheme, we reach straight into the soul of the Crescent City for our color inspiration.
Here are some of our favorite NOLA-inspired color palettes—each one bursting with local flavor, character, and a touch of magic.
🎭 1. Mardi Gras Royalty
Colors: Rich purple, emerald green, gold foil, black velvet
Mood: Bold. Festive. A little bit decadent.
Use it when: You want to turn heads, throw confetti, or build a brand that knows how to make an entrance.
Inspiration: Beads flying from balconies, the shimmer of a sequin mask, and the rhythm of a marching band at sunset.
🌿 2. Garden District Dreams
Colors: Sage green, soft lavender, cream, faded brick
Mood: Elegant. Quietly enchanting. Timeless.
Use it when: You want your brand to feel romantic, rooted, and oh-so-refined.
Inspiration: Magnolia blossoms, antique shutters, and lazy afternoon strolls under oak canopies.
☕ 3. Café au Lait & Beignets
Colors: Warm beige, powdered sugar white, espresso brown, blush pink
Mood: Cozy. Friendly. Deliciously sweet.
Use it when: Your vibe is approachable, welcoming, and low-key indulgent.
Inspiration: Mornings at Café du Monde, sugar-dusted lips, and the soft chatter of French Quarter courtyards.
🎷 4. Frenchmen Funk
Colors: Electric blue, neon coral, brass gold, midnight navy
Mood: Cool. Artistic. Unpredictably fun.
Use it when: You want to stand out, break rules, and leave a lasting impression.
Inspiration: Jazz riffs through open windows, glowing marquee lights, and local art splashed across alleyway walls.
🪞 5. Haunted Glamour
Colors: Charcoal black, ghost white, absinthe green, blood red
Mood: Moody. Mysterious. Luxe with an edge.
Use it when: Your brand has a gothic soul and a flair for the dramatic.
Inspiration: Candlelit séances, wrought iron gates, and stories whispered under Spanish moss at midnight.
🍸 6. Cocktail Hour on Bourbon
Colors: Sunset orange, cherry red, mint green, vintage teal
Mood: Playful. Flirty. A little retro.
Use it when: You want your brand to feel vibrant, fun, and ready for a good time.
Inspiration: Hurricane glasses, neon signs, clinking ice cubes, and glittering laughter spilling into the street.
Why It Works
Color is emotional. It speaks in feelings, not words. And New Orleans? She’s fluent in them all. At Midnight Boheme, we use Crescent City-inspired palettes to inject every project with authenticity, depth, and a little local flair. Because a strong brand shouldn’t just be seen—it should be felt.
Want your brand to speak in color with a NOLA accent? Let’s craft a palette that’s as unforgettable as a night in the French Quarter.