most mariners are put on a dark background to make the colors pop. typically people use blue but i've seen dozens in black and dark grey.
i wouldn't take it to heart. my DH often helps me with colors choices but sometimes i just have to over rule his idea for artistic reasons.
while we are both artists - his craft is music and mine is fiber - every thing the other says about the project is taken with a grain of salt because its just not their field of expertise.