Colour insight

DESIGNER SUSSY CAZALET TALKS TONAL SCHEMES AND FOCUSING ON FEELINGS TO FIND THE PERFECT SHADE

- SOPHIE BAYLIS

I tend to think about how I want a room to make me feel when I’m choosing colour. There isn’t one perfect way to pick the ideal shade, but by aiming to capture feelings, the design experience and the space become more personal.

Everyone’s obsessed with Pinterest for inspiration but it can be overwhelming. I’ve watched clients scrolling through hundreds of images trying to narrow their options. The pictures are beautiful – but that’s because most colours, when used well, will look good. The magic comes from making them look great in your home.

When I pick a colour, say a beautiful terracotta, I’ll wrap the room in it. I’ll then use light and dark variations to create a soothing and harmonious tonal scheme. You can add accent colour through plants and objects.