Creating a Custom Color Palette for the Lucky Day Shadow Box

A storefront that feels like it has stepped right out of a storybook makes for a shadow box that draws the viewer's attention to step closer for a better look. Recently, I set out to capture the warm, inviting essence of Lucky Day—a charming neighborhood shop defined by its terracotta ramp, soft cream awnings, lush cascading foliage, and deeply welcoming storefront aesthetic.

Work Progession Video

Each section of this build will be documented on its own post. However, the video below will show the entire progression of the build.

When translating a physical space into a miniature display, color is everything. Rather than guessing, I used a curated process of sampling real hues from the architectural photography to build a cohesive, versatile color palette. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at how I broke down the tones of Lucky Day into a paint swatch collection, and how you can use this palette to infuse warmth and organic elegance into your own creative projects.

The Lucky Day Palette Breakdown

• Warm Creams & Vanillas: Reflecting the building's main stucco facade and the textured awning fabric, these soft neutrals provide an airy, high-end base that keeps designs feeling light and breathable.

• Terracotta & Rust: Inspired by the entrance ramp, brick steps, and classic flower pots, these earthy reds anchor the palette with a sense of grounded hospitality and vintage character.

• Botanical Greens: Ranging from the pale, silvery olive tones of potted trees to the deep, rich canopy vines framing the windows, these greens bring organic vitality and a breath of fresh air to the collection.

• Charcoal & Slate: Providing a sophisticated contrast, these broad gray-black accents—pulled from window frames and architectural shadows—offer crisp definition without the harshness of pure black.

Whether you're designing a storefront identity, curating an Instagram feed, or painting a physical space, building a palette directly from environmental photography ensures your colors always tell an authentic story.

For this build, I will be using a variety of materials to get the textures I am looking for, such as colored pencils, markers, and watercolor paints.