All Things Color for May

Introducing a new series for this month— plus, a few things I loved in April and a No Crumbs update.

May 02, 2025

April showers brought us May flowers— but No Crumbs is bringing on the color this month.

To celebrate the return of pink blossoming trees, purple flowers polkadotting patches of grass, and an altogether more vibrant world, we’re talking about color all month long! Each week, we’ll be covering a different topic on color—whether it’s debating its disappearance, how to stop being scared of it, or unlikely places to find inspiration, and more.

While this series leans toward design and home, food content will be sprinkled in (let’s be honest, I’m never not thinking about eating).

Stayed tuned, cause we’re talking about this viral chart and I have some questions...

Speaking of flowers, my jaw dropped when I saw these stunning sconces by Hey Maker. (Psst, the blue anthurium and red poppy are still available!)

Finding inspiration in the everyday & ordinary

While you’re here, I thought I’d share some things I loved last month: a building painted in yellows & blues, textures and shades of daffodils, homemade chocolate chip cookies in a handmade bowl (both by my talented friend!), stumbling upon rainbow shutters on a walk, and a bowling alley as it should be (in all its retro glory).

Looking back & ahead for No Crumbs

bts look at our branding (yes, the logo was inspired by a tiktok).

No Crumbs just hit its seven-month mark, so it feels long overdue to share a bit about the journey and myself—gasp!

Channeling my creative energy into a project of my own has been so rewarding. Over these last few months, I’ve welcomed back having so! many! ideas! I’ve connected with people around the world, even making a few new friends here in NYC. I never thought my work would resonate with so many people, even inspiring others’ creative practices (albeit upsetting some along the way—as they say, the girls that get it, get it).

“I’m loving seeing people having fun with their area of expertise. The joy of Substack to me, both as a writer and a reader, is not in its polish, but in the space it provides for us to be a bit raw, a bit edgy, a bit playful. If I wanted to read a reported feature about colour theory, I’d go to Dezeen. On Substack, I can’t get enough of Kayla Roolaart’s whimsical mashup of food expertise and interior design chops in No Crumbs.”
Franki Cookney, Really Good Tomatoes

Last year, I was untethered to things I had naively tied my identity to: my job and my partner. But after 5 years, I unexpectedly had neither. With distance, I realized I had poured out too much of myself, leaving me emotionally and creatively depleted. The problem wasn’t leaning into my work or another person—it was balance (though perhaps I’m passionate to a fault). And at the end of the day, I hadn’t left enough in the reserves for me, and I felt so detached from creating.

After spending time recharging, replenishing, and reconnecting with myself, this newsletter was born—and I finally had the creative outlet I craved.

Since launching last September, No Crumbs has gathered a community of +5K interesting folks, from designers, artists, brands, journalists, restaurants, chefs, and even some creatives I deeply admire (pinch me!).

Many of you found your way here through Color Combinations I Love of Food Pairings I’d Hate via Notes or the article, which blew up earlier this year. My most recent combo was very Dunkin Donuts coded. Do we want a spring edition with seasonal produce and colors? (rhubarb! ramps!)

After a few months of building No Crumbs, getting to know this platform, and reacquainting myself with the rhythm of writing, it finally feels like the right time to enable payments—especially after the encouragement from those of you who’ve already pledged (thank you!).

While paid subscriptions are now enabled, No Crumbs is starting as a reader-supported publication. That means everything stays public for now as I experiment with what feels right, balancing paid perks with accessible content.

What won’t change is the mission: a space for connection, curiosity, and creativity at the intersection of food, style, and design.

And that said, I’d love to hear from you to help shape this next chapter!

Something else? Comment below or message me—my inbox is always open and I genuinely welcome your feedback. <3

As always, thanks for reading No Crumbs!