By Carleton Varney- Special to the Palm Beach Daily News

So here I am again, talking about color.

Those who love color as much as I do are not sitting around talking about walls of beige, gray or white. They’re thinking about happy colors, and I believe that’s just what we need right now.

Luckily for us, the paint companies are rolling out thousands upon thousands of gallons of color. Surely there's one or two — or many more — you would love.

Even Steinway & Sons adds its own bright note by manufacturing pianos in brilliant hues. Remember the days when a baby grand came only in black lacquer? Now, there are so many other options. There’s even a special digital tool at Steinway.com that lets you see the same piano in a variety of colors and color combinations. Google the words “Steinway Pops Collection” and try it yourself.

Even if the walls in your living room are painted beige, think of how a new Steinway in royal blue, dusky lavender or vivid red would spice up that space. You can even have the inside of the piano lid customized with a bright pop of color. What a fun surprise that would be when you open it up for your guests!

I was thinking about pianos recently and how my sister tickled the ivories — and how I have often wished I had taken lessons. If you play the piano, you will always be invited to the party, I’ve learned. And for any parents reading this, I hope you’ll consider giving your children piano lessons. They might not always be thrilled with practicing, but they will be delighted you made the effort once they become adults.

Furniture is forging new inroads in color, as well. At Kindel Furniture in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for instance, color has become part of the culture. You name the color and Kindel can make it happen. Dining chairs of the Queen Anne or the Chippendale style have gotten an of-the-moment update, available in every color of the rainbow. Think green, sunshine yellow or ocean blue.

Or maybe even bougainvillea purple — that’s always a favorite in Palm Beach, where flowers bloom year-round, the ocean sparkles in aqua-teal and the sky shimmers in brilliant blue. Who needs more colorful inspiration than that?