What is your favourite room or setting to design with colour and why?
‘Usually it is the communal living space, such as a kitchen-diner or living room, as this is where people tend to visualise the future of family events, entertainment and a sense of sharing. It often tends to also be a space that defines who we are as a whole, whereas bedrooms and offices are more introverted and private, so these communal spaces are often dynamic, creative and interesting.’
Do you have a favourite paint shade or colour family that you find yourself coming back to?
‘I am drawn to warm hues evocative of pigments found in the earth, ground and trees.’
When creating a palette, do you have a favourite ‘neutral’?
‘Because my work involves finding colours that respond best within the light of a room and the desired aesthetic, rarely is there a colour that repeats itself enough for me to say it is a popular favourite. What might reveal itself as good neutral in one space might look completely different in another. That said, my favourite type of neutral is a ‘complex’ one with warm undertones and a smudge of black.’
What's your favourite source of colour inspiration?
‘My heritage hometown of Liguria, in Italy, is partly the inspiration behind the development of my Delysian Colour System - a method of working with colour combinations using a juxtaposition in hues as seen in the relationship between form, shadow and highlight; whereas it is the shifting colours of deciduous trees seen throughout autumn that mesmerise me.’
Do you have a favourite colour combination?
‘Generally speaking, my favourite colour combinations are ones with a juxtaposition between hues that appear as a shadow or highlight for a main colour. For example, in my living room, I have used Argile’s ‘Tige Brune’ for the walls with ‘Terre du Sienne’ on the ceiling and ‘Terre brulée’ wood trim.’
Are there any favourite brands or paint ranges you gravitate towards?
‘I appreciate many for different reasons! Personally, I gravitate towards Argile for the complexity of palette and Benjamin Moore for the amount of colour offerings.’
What's your favourite way to introduce colour into a home if someone is nervous about committing to it?
‘One of the best ways to introduce colour into the home in this situation is in a room that is not used every day, or on display much, such as a guest bedroom, a reading nook or a pantry. I find that people feel these are safer areas to play with colour. Another way is to consider colour as a styling accessory to a more neutral background with removable elements such as curtains, crockery, perhaps a sofa or rug.’
What's your favourite part of colour consulting?
‘Witnessing the joy in my clients’ faces as they connect with experiencing a new way of living and growing as an individual or family in their home.’
Favourite colour to use in a room with limited natural light?
‘In my north-facing dining room, which has limited light, I have used Andalouse by Argile, which is a warm neutral with red and green undertones that respond to the film of colours thrown in from outdoors.’
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