This paper presents insights from a practice-led doctoral study that explored the expression of everyday aesthetic preferences in dementia through design. As an assets-based approach it aimed to utilize capabilities including emotional memory, visuo-sensory sensibilities and an embodied sense of self understood to be relatively unaffected in dementia. A framework of engagement to scaffold conversations about everyday aesthetic preferences was devised using three consecutive video conferencing meetings. The first asked participants to share a favorite mug, the second their colour preferences and the third a favorite space in the home. Personalized booklets using images and quotes from the recordings were sent to the participants following each meeting. This method was first tested with participants without dementia and then with participants with early to moderate stage dementia. This paper focuses on the rationale and criteria for using a set of colour cards as a design probe. A key insight from an analysis of the findings suggested that colour elicited visual memories of objects and environments that held personal significance. The potential for further research into how this method could be used as a tool to enable people with dementia to contribute to how their environment is personalized is considered.