I am in the middle of renovating my own home at the moment, which is both one of the most difficult and most rewarding jobs. When you design for clients, there is a certain clarity — you guide, you propose, you refine. When it is your own home, you know exactly what you want, yet you still question decisions, test combinations, and live with them in real time.
Designing your own home is humbling. But it is also the best research tool for the projects I work on. It allows me to experience first-hand how colour behaves in daily life, how light shifts tones, and how spaces truly feel over time. Many of these insights have even shaped the thinking behind my Colour Guide, which I created to help others approach colour with more confidence in their own homes.
One thing this renovation has reminded me is that colour is never just visual. It is emotional.
There are days when I walk into a room and feel instantly calmer, more focused, or quietly uplifted. And almost always, colour plays a role in that shift.
Many people think colourful interiors must be bold or dominant. But often, the most powerful use of colour is subtle and intentional. Recently, I chose to use beige as a balancing tone in my open-plan living space. Not as a safe choice, but as a breathing space. A backdrop that allows richer colours to be dotted around as highlights. This creates rhythm and calm at the same time.
It demonstrated beautifully that colour does not need to compete. It can guide the eye, frame moments, and give a room space to breathe.
Working from my London design studio and designing homes across the UK and internationally, I often see how deeply colour shapes our emotional experience at home. We tend to think of colour as decoration, but it is also atmosphere, memory, and mood.
Living rooms, where conversations unfold and families gather, benefit from layered warmth. Rich blues, earthy tones, and patterned textiles with cultural stories bring depth and individuality. They make a space feel personal rather than staged.
Bedrooms ask for a softer touch. Muted greens, gentle blues, and warm neutrals create a cocooning quality. When layered through cushions, fabrics, or lampshades, they help the mind slow down and rest.
Dining areas hold a connection. Meals, shared stories, moments of togetherness. Here, colour can bring quiet joy — through textiles, napkins, or subtle accents that make people feel welcome and relaxed.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that using colour means committing to bold choices everywhere. In reality, the most sophisticated interiors use colour in layers. One anchor tone, a few supporting hues, and grounding neutrals create harmony.
To those of you who know me, you’ll know that colour in my work is never random. Each palette is chosen with intention and story. Colourful living is not about excess — it is about creating a home that reflects how you want to feel.
Many clients tell me they love colour but feel unsure how to combine it. That hesitation is natural. Colour has impact, and understanding how tones relate to each other makes all the difference.
If you would like guidance, my Colour Guide was created exactly for this. It shares practical colour pairings, layering ideas, and insights from years of designing with textiles and colour-led interiors. It is a helpful starting point if you want to bring more colour into your home with confidence.
A home filled with thoughtful colour does not just look beautiful. It supports your mood, your energy, and your everyday life.
If you feel unsure where to begin, you can explore my Colour Guide, where I share approachable ways to combine tones and create harmonious palettes that feel personal and uplifting.
Frequently Asked Questions
• Which colours make a home feel calm?
Soft greens, muted blues, and warm neutrals tend to create a calming atmosphere.
• How can I add colour without repainting?
Cushions, lampshades, textiles, and wall art allow you to introduce colour flexibly.
• Can colourful interiors still feel elegant?
Yes. When colour is layered thoughtfully and balanced with neutrals and texture, it feels timeless and refined.
• How do I avoid clashing colours?
Start with one anchor tone and repeat it subtly across the space for cohesion.
• Where can I learn how to combine colours confidently?
My Colour Guide offers practical colour pairings and easy-to-follow advice.
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