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22 Nov 15

Colour crush: Gold

DULUX COTY 1

I’ve been wanting to write this blog post for a while, but I like to hold back reporting on trends to check they are going to stick around and it certainly looks like the ‘Gold’ trend is here to stay. And what’s more, I really love it. Gold communicates quality, luxury and has a glowing warmth too it too, which means it slots into an interior environment really well. It can also say kitsch and tacky and because of that I think it comes with a greats sense of humour too.

 

Range of gold products by Tom Dixon

Range of gold products by Tom Dixon

 

Where I’m seeing the use of gold working its midas magic is in accessories and furniture. Uber elite British designer  Tom Dixon, is loving it right now- going for a very machined high sheen appeal- coupled with sexy black it’s a winning combination. His iconic mirror ball lights, first in chrome, then copper have now launched in gold.

 

Image from John Lewis

Image from John Lewis

 

The other place we’ve seen it a lot is in s sort of retro Palm Sprigs a la 1060’s kind of way. Think brass pineapples and palm frond lights. It’s also become a great foil against all the dark decorating schemes that are so en vogue. A collection of old gold gilt frames on an inky dark wall- well just takes the breath away! The trick is to not overdue it, a few key accessories is all it takes to update the look.

 

Gold trend shopping

Get Shopping (dated 22/11/15): 1. Brass Brock table lamp, £120, Bhs.  2. Bloom gold light, £281, Heals.  3. Gold pineapple, £40, John Lewis. 4. Cherished Gold matt emulsion, £24.49, Dulux. 5. Tessellate wall light, £275, Habitat.  6. Chevron side table, £135, Graham and Green.

But the most dramatic interpretation of this trend has been in the way brass coloured taps are quickly replacing chrome in the most fashionable bathrooms and kitchens. From modern to vintage its Gold Taps a go go! Now I never thought I’d be saying that but when I start my new house I’m lusting over the brass tap look- especially stunning when teamed with pale greys and marble or on the other end of the scale the dark inky blues.

 

Bathroom in the London home of stylist Louisa Grey

Bathroom in the London home of stylist Louisa Grey

 

The gold trend has taken its grip so firmly that it’s being rolled out beyond metals to the colour being used as a wall and furnishing colour too. Dulux declared ‘Cherished Gold’ as its colour for 2016 earlier this year.

 

Image from by Homes and Gardens at housetohome.co.uk

Image from by Homes and Gardens at housetohome.co.uk

 

I’m not sure I would want gold on my walls, as it doesn’t sit in my personal palette, but there’s no doubt it creates a very elegant and cosy scheme. Just as golds younger cousin, yellow looks rocking teamed with black and white I think the same rules apply when decorating with gold. The coolness of white and black balances out the warm tone perfectly.

Foil stripe wallpaper from Wallpapersdirect. Image styled by Sophie Robinson.

Foil stripe wallpaper from Wallpapersdirect. Image styled by Sophie Robinson.

Its chic, a bit retro cheeky, and adds a touch of glamour which is never a bad thing in my rule book. And it’s nice to see copper finally kicked of its perch- that was getting rather tiresome!

 

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March round up! The springtime energy has arrive March round up! 

The springtime energy has arrived and March you were busy! Instagram  you are going to have to give me more squares! 2026 we have lift off! 🌱

1. Spring Mother’s day table at home with home grown daffodils
2. Me and Mum
3. Lunar eclipse and letting go under the blood moon
4. Talking all things colour with @harlequinfw Creative Director Claire Vallis at @designcentrech Design Week and plotting new exciting things together!
5. First day rave out dancing in Brighton with @sophieabbottartist to @mrs_cruff  and @robertluis 
6. Exciting work meeting at @broadwicksoho  with sunset cocktails for after 
7. Binge watched @netflix Vladimir and loved it
8. Attended @qestcraft evening at @vamuseum with @lisa_sandersondesigngroup wearing my new @hanoutboutique  dress
9. Back in the cold bath during Spring Equinox retreat at @theacupuncturist 
10. Annual Spring wardrobe reorganise. Lots of stuff going to @thesecondrow_ 
11. Long over due visit to one of my best friends @tamsinjardinier in Aquitaine France
12. Moon rise walks and deep talks
13. Pull ups are a first the the gym with @teamyo_weight_training as I continue to build my body for strength and shape
14. Saying farewell to my PA @thirteenscorpios after two years of loyal support and dedication she is off exploring creative endeavours.
15. Planting seeds in our greenhouse with Mum
16. Frog spawn update! 🐸 They’ve hatched! 
17. Clocks went back and hooray for brighter early mornings. My time of day
18. First mow of the lawn!!!
19. My Dad and step Mum Mary are living with me while they are in between houses and I’m loving having them in the kitchen!
20. Poor Lucy. Six teeth removed and a corn from her foot. Getting older is hitting all of us!
The clocks go forward one hour this Sunday and sud The clocks go forward one hour this Sunday and suddenly… we’re back! Longer days, lighter evenings, brighter mornings and the unmistakable feeling that summer is on its way. There is something uniquely British about the absolute giddiness this time of year brings. The first hint of light after 6pm and we’re practically dragging out the garden furniture, clutching a cool drink, declaring it “balmy” while still wearing a coat.

But honestly, it does feel like a shift. More energy, more optimism, more life. A little seasonal reset that reminds you everything is waking up again, including you. Here’s to lighter days, brighter moods and that slightly delirious joy of spring. 

I might celebrate the day by finally sorting out the room of doom and throwing open some windows. Who’s with me?
At this time of year I can feel the energy shift, At this time of year I can feel the energy shift, and it always makes me fall back in love with my home. It’s a beautiful reminder that how we design our space shapes how we feel every single day.

Hearing birdsong boosts mood and optimism. There’s a reason birdsong feels like a little lift. Studies show it reduces stress and mental fatigue, helping your brain relax, reset and gently nudge you into a more optimistic state.

Seeing green calms the nervous system. It’is the colour of nature and restoration. It’s been shown to reduce stress and calm the nervous system, creating that exhale feeling we all crave in a busy, overstimulated world.

Touching natural textures lowers the heart rate. Think wood, linen, stone under your fingertips. These natural textures help reduce stress in the body, slowing the heart rate and grounding you in your space in the loveliest way.

Natural light regulates sleep and energy so allow the light to flood in. Daylight helps balance your body clock, improving sleep, boosting mood and giving you that steady, feel-good energy we’re all chasing.

Scent triggers memory and emotional comfort and can be deeply emotional. A favourite fragrance can instantly transport you, soothe your nervous system and wrap your home in a feeling of comfort, familiarity and joy.

Fresh air boosts focus and clarity, so throw open a window and everything shifts. Fresh air increases oxygen levels, helping you think more clearly, feel more alert and bring a sense of lightness into your space.

Viewing art releases dopamine so isn’t just decoration, it’s emotional. Looking at pieces you love boosts your mood and sparks creativity, while turning your home into a place that truly inspires you.

Houseplants bring life into a space. They’ve been shown to reduce anxiety, support concentration and create a calm, nurturing atmosphere that makes your home feel more alive.

When you start to see your home through this lens, everything changes. Design isn’t just about how a space looks, it’s how it makes you feel. And when you design for joy, your wellbeing follows. Let me know what it is about your home that makes you feel your best.
February. Rain. More rain. And then just for varie February. Rain. More rain. And then just for variety… rain. The dog and I relished the excuse to stay tucked up at home. But inside? Big plans and some serious plotting around the kitchen table. February has that quiet, held-breath quality. Everything looks still, yet beneath the surface it’s all quietly preparing to burst into life. I’m more than ready for that spring light to unleash some very exciting plans! Who else is ready?!

FEBRUARY ROUND UP
	1.	Just how much rain?! Honestly. Biblical.
	2.	Creating shape and big ideas with @teamyo_weight_training .
	3.	Major shoot energy for my AW 2026 collection. So proud of this one.
	4.	Celebrating the fabulous new scents at @vyraoworld . Heaven in a bottle.
	5.	Catch-ups with these sirens @micboehm77  @yasminsewell Creative refuel.
	6.	Photoshoot at the house. @jadefarmiloemua claims best mug, obviously.
	7.	Lucy ready for hair and make-up. Born for backstage life.
	8.	I finally caved and bought an air fryer. Brilliant but why do Ugly.
	9.	Watching the pond like it’s Netflix. What will spawn this spring? 🐸
	10.	My lovely Dad staying with us and recuperating after a nasty illness. Tender days.
	11.	Healing sunlight breaking through when we needed it most.
	12.	Three generations, sofa-bound, watching the rugby. Proper joy.
	13.	14. The wonderful Wes Anderson exhibition at the @designmuseum . Go. Get inspired.
	15. February has its own special bleakness. I’m ready for sunshine on that sea.
	16.	Lucy fully committed to hibernation season. Respect.
	17.	An elegant mess. Story of my life.
	18.	Lucy taking the minutes at a very exciting team meeting. Promotion pending.
	19.	First signs of spring 🌼 Always right on time.
AD Still smiling after revealing my latest colourf AD Still smiling after revealing my latest colourful homewares collection with @Dunelmuk. Bringing a collection like this to life takes months of dreaming, designing and attention to detail, so sharing it with everyone felt incredibly special. Expect joyful colour, layered pattern and all the maximalist touches you know I love. The whole collection is now available to shop in store, online and on the Dunelm app. I could not be prouder. 💛
January. A grateful round up. Rolling into 2026 an January. A grateful round up.
Rolling into 2026 and chasing colour in all its forms, from piercing blue winter suns to raspberry red Moroccan sunrises. I knew I’d be ready for you, 2026. And we have started beautifully.

1. A quiet promise to myself to make 2026 as colourful as possible
2. New Year’s Eve… exactly as it began
3. And then how it went. A proper sweaty dance at @alphabetbrighton 
4. Hosting a bonfire at home with friends to burn away 2025. @jothornephotography 
5. Watching embers glow beneath a full moon. Emotional in the best way
6. Snow, low sun and the most perfect winter palette
7. Still walking it out! Bracing the cold with @sophieabbottartist @edwinaboase 
8. A much needed colour hit, hosting my interiors retreat with @elfennmarrakech 
9. Me and partner in crime @em_lappin  at @lallamarrakech 
10. The joyful jolt of colour only the Marrakech souks can deliver
11. Discovering the new @ritaalaoui_artist art installation at El Fenn
12. New moon meditation with the wonderful @alexadecastilho 
13. Gently shaping a new vision for 2026
14. Harnessing that wild horse energy for my vision board webinar
15. Proud moments unveiling my latest collection to the press at @dunelmuk 
16. Catch ups with my lovely TV chums @hardcastletowers @francescarowanplowden @jackkinsey @ritamillat 
17. Feeling genuinely excited about this collection and all the squeals it is delivering
18. Finally ticking off my 360 health scan at @nekohealth 
19. Becoming mildly obsessed with pastel, colour drenched interiors
20. It looks busy, but January has mostly been this. Rest. Reflection. Happy wintering.
Not going to lie, this might be one of my proudest Not going to lie, this might be one of my proudest makeovers ever…
My Dad and Mary’s modern French villa was all beige tiles, white walls and zero personality. So I did what I do best: turned it into a technicolour dreamscape inspired by the countryside views outside those gorgeous bifold doors.

Inspired by early  autumn leaves, emerald green fields, and piercing blue skies we set about making the inside of their home feel as joyful as the outside … now imagine all that bottled up into wallpaper, fabrics, cushions and colour-drenched furniture.

If you’ve ever thought bold colour overwhelming or that pattern was too much for open-plan spaces… this one’s for you. Because colour and pattern sings in nature, and it can work just as well in your home decor.

All wallpapers, rug and cushion fabrics are from my collection with @harlequinfw. Painting by @sophieabbottartist 

Full sourcing list, extra styling tips and a deeper dive into the design story are up now on A Life In Colour: head to my Substack via the link in bio to read more!
End of January check-in… and yes, the struggle to End of January check-in… and yes, the struggle to stay joyful is very real right now. Dark mornings, grey skies, energy running low.

That’s exactly why our homes matter so much at this time of year. They are our sanctuary. The place that should lift your mood, calm your nervous system and make you feel held when the outside world feels a bit, how can I put this...relentless. And this isn’t just a feeling or a design philosophy. It’s backed up by science. Research shows that colour, light, beauty and nature in our homes have a direct impact on mood, wellbeing and happiness. Small, intentional changes really can shift how you feel day to day.

I’d love to know… what brings you the most joy in your home right now? A colour, a room, a plant, a view, a ritual? Share it in the comments 💛

And if you’re ready to go deeper, my big January Sale ends this week.

If you want to truly understand colour psychology and learn how to curate a home that feels joyful, confident and completely you, comment ULTIMATE and I’ll send you the link to my online design school and your opportunity to make the biggest saving of the year.
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