Colour in interior design

The Power of Colour

Ever wondered what your house would feel like if your walls weren’t white, cream, pale grey or magnolia? Colour deeply affects how we see the world. Colour in interior design isn’t just decoration, it’s a powerful design tool that transforms how we feel in our own homes.

More than make a room feel bigger, smaller, lighter or gloomy, it can change the mood, making your home feel cosy and protective, or the kind of vibrant space that brings you energy. From colour drenching to complementary tones, colour can change a space almost as much as remodelling the room.

A carefully curated palette of colours for your house should consider the whole house – not just one room at a time – to complement each other and create an easy transition between rooms.

Book a colour consultation with us

Red brick extension

Five years ago we added a red brick extension and replanned the space to create a large open plan family room with ample space to entertain, play and dine. The rear extension opens up to the garden, and the natural materials create a warm but uncluttered interior. The home is light filled and full of earthy natural materials, and the walls were painted white throughout. It looked fantastic.

This year, we caught up with our client as they were considering redecorating. After an interior colour consultation, together we came up with a bespoke colour scheme that would complement their period home.  There would be no more white – our plans would include walls, ceilings, woodwork.

We began with a palette inspired by atmospheric images and art, letting those references guide us toward a series of dusty and warm tones that bring depth and softness throughout the home. Together they create harmony, surprise and moments of joy around every corner.

Our Client’s view? “I cannot believe I didn’t do this before. I though my home was beautiful – now it is fantastic”

Inspired? How to create a colour scheme

UpSideDown House

For the interiors of UpSideDown House we partnered with Norwegian Koi Colour Studio and Pure and Original clay paints. They encouraged us to be brave. And also gave us one of our rules of colour – always paint the ceiling. It doesn’t have to be the same colour as the walls, but shouldn’t simply be left – it is part of the colour scheme.

We curated a bold palette of colours that would be warm, relaxing and homely, but also enhance the original Victorian features and make the house sing.  The pink elegant front room is used as an office, whilst the ochre snug is cosy and comfortable – completed by  the statement ochre sofa.

Hampstead colours

This townhouse in Hampstead was beautiful, but painted white throughout, it lacked character. Its new owners wanted it to feel like their own.

Designing with colour is about enhancing depth, celebrating historic features and adding more character to an open plan.

At our colour consultation, we agreed to abandon white completely and embrace living with colour. The complex colour scheme gave this home a complete transformation.

We chose softly pigmented colours. A bold mustard drenches the living room from ceiling to floor, including all the woodwork. We chose muted shades of blue green and purple for the kitchen and hall – to create a calm, soothing and natural home environment, tempered by varied lighting that could be adjusted throughout the day.

Colour in nature

In nature we find a wealth of colour that is rich and deep, soft and gently. We take inspiration from that when we select our colour for interior design to find shades that resonate together, to create relaxing spaces.

We enjoy using natural materials, and all the paints we use are low VOC and almost solvent free, sustainable paints that also support our clients health and wellbeing.

Learn more about our colour consultations.