Behr Contributing Writer: Stephanie Lindsey, Principal and Co-Founder of Etch Design Group
Imagine painting a bear… a BEHR bear. At NeoCon, Behr Paint typically has this life-sized bear for guests to paint, and each year is a new design on the bear. It’s a creative approach to showcasing their brand. In the middle of the booth, this 3D bear is sectioned off into small squares, each about three inches wide, and it was the talk of the show. I loved seeing how the bear changed with each visitor! This collaborative art piece became an unexpected emotional moment for many of us.
Each painted square added to the story of the bear, which in turn, told the story of those who had passed through the space.
There was something special about watching people discover the Behr bear, take time to think about what they wanted to paint – and which spot – and then invest time in something tactile and creative during such a busy conference. It made me think about the design industry as a whole and how we all contribute to the larger community as a team. Which then leads me to think about the Behr Designer Council for this year…
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of joining Behr’s inaugural Designer Council. We met for the first time in California at the Behr headquarters, and that trip set the tone for everything that followed. We dove deep into product knowledge, toured their facilities, and met the Behr team. We had open conversations about design trends and where the industry is heading. The Behr team had done so much research on past, current, and future trends, and it was eye-opening to see what those looked like visually. What stood out the most was how much Behr truly listens.
They want to know what matters to designers. And when you feel heard, you naturally become an advocate for that brand.
As a group, we were tasked with creating initial concepts for the 2026 Commercial Color Forecast, and it was such a blast! It’s not every day that we as designers get to be involved in something like that. I have a personal love for Fusion Dream because it ties into my love for technology and AI. Glamorous (P130-7) and Inferno (P190-7) are my two top favorites within that collection. At NeoCon, we revealed the 2026 Color Forecast, and I felt honored to represent the council at the Behr booth.
People were so curious, not just about the colors, but about how they were chosen, what they represent, and how they’ll be used in commercial spaces.
Oh, and the tote bags? Did you hear about the tote bags? Behr created the cutest teal totes for the event, and they became hot commodities. We literally had to space out their distribution to make sure we didn’t run out by day two. I saw people walking the show with five different totes, but you better believe the Behr bag was always on top.
Seeing the buzz at NeoCon reminded me of our own projects where Behr has played a role. At Acton Academy, we designed and executed three murals using Behr colors. One featured a bold logo wall that greets students every morning, another was a geometric patterned mural, and the last was a quote wall that inspires curiosity and learning. These murals were brought to life by local muralist Tiffany Dewitt from Color Brush Co, and her artistry paired perfectly with Behr’s vibrant and durable paint selections.
As a co-founder of Etch Design Group, I’m always looking for ways to blend innovation and authenticity. And as the co-creator of AI for Interiors, it’s exciting to be part of conversations that span from color trends to cutting-edge technology.
If you’re curious about where commercial color is headed or want to see how Behr is pushing the boundaries, check out the full 2026 Color Forecast. And if you ever get the chance to paint a piece of a Behr bear, don’t hesitate… because trust me, your little square might just inspire the next big thing.