Choosing a Cohesive Colour Palette
With countless paint brands and an endless array of shades to choose from, deciding where to start (and finish!) can feel overwhelming. However, with thoughtful planning, a carefully curated colour scheme has the power to transform the spaces we call home. As the foundation of any interior design scheme, walls and ceilings cover a vast amount of visual space in your home, making them worth the investment of time and money. Chosen with care, the right colour palette can work wonders.
Consulting on Colour
In our interior design process, we place significant emphasis on the colour consultation stage. This is where we explore our clients’ preferences—delving into the hues they are drawn to and the mood they want to create in each room. Equally important is understanding the colours they’re less keen on—it’s all part of crafting a scheme that feels both personal and harmonious. To anchor the design, we often start with a meaningful item: perhaps a cherished piece of artwork, a family heirloom, a piece of antique furniture, or even a favourite outfit! These personal touches often inspire a colour palette that truly resonates.
Photography: Alex Interior Design
Try Before you Buy
Tester pots are invaluable for seeing how colours you admire online or in magazines will actually work in your space. However, we always recommend painting large A3-sized sheets of high-quality card to use before applying colour directly to your walls. These larger swatches can be moved around the room, allowing you to observe how the shade shifts with changing light throughout the day and evening. Natural light has a significant influence on how natural pigments in the Farrow & Ball paint we use for our projects appear, so it’s worth taking the time to see how it changes throughout the day.
Creative Combinations
One trend we’re seeing more of in contemporary interiors is colour-drenching—using the same shade across all surfaces to create a bold, immersive look. While this can be striking, in period homes, highlighting architectural details often adds a timeless layer of sophistication. Ceiling roses, cornices, picture rails, skirting boards, architraves, and bespoke joinery all present opportunities for contrast or tonal variation. Whether you opt for subtle differences or dramatic contrasts, these details when highlighted bring depth and character to your space. Below, you’ll find examples from our previous projects that showcase how the right colour palette can transform a space.
Be Brave
A common concern we hear is the fear of judging a freshly painted room too soon. It’s important to remember that an empty room can feel bare initially, with the paint often becoming the sole focal point. Once furniture, lighting, artwork, mirrors, and accessories are in place, the room’s personality emerges. While paint is undeniably impactful, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. The finishing touches—those carefully chosen details tie everything together, so trust the process and don’t lose heart!
Design: Alex Interior Design Photography: Mark Anthony-Fox
Let’s Talk Colour
Need guidance to perfect your palette? At Alex Interior Design, we offer expert advice tailored to your unique project. Get in touch with us today, and let’s bring colour and cohesion to your home.
Alex.
Creating an Effective Lighting Scheme
A well-thought-out lighting scheme can transform your space—and your experience within it. Have you ever walked into a room and felt it was cold or clinical? That unsettling feeling often comes down to a few simple lighting issues that, with a little attention, can be easily fixed to create a warmer, more inviting atmosphere.
Understanding Colour Temperature
Let’s start with one of the most important aspects of lighting: colour temperature. Measured in degrees Kelvin (K), this scale—invented in the 19th century by British physicist William Thomson (aka Lord Kelvin)—ranges from 1,000K to 10,000K, moving from warm to cool light.
Image: Arrow Electrical
For most homes, we recommend aiming for a sweet spot between warm and neutral light (2700K–3000K). This range provides a soft, cosy glow that feels welcoming while still being practical for everyday use. Cooler temperatures, on the other hand, can make a room feel stark and uninviting—not exactly what you want for your living space. (Time to swap out those harsh white bulbs?)
The Art of Layering
Layering your lighting is key to creating a balanced and inviting environment. By combining different types of lighting—ambient, accent, and task—you can add depth, warmth, and functionality to your home.
Ambient Lighting: This is the base layer, providing overall illumination for the room. Think overhead fixtures or wall-mounted lights that set the stage.
Accent Lighting: This layer highlights specific areas or objects, like your favourite piece of artwork or an architectural feature you love. Think picture lights, uplighters, and spotlights.
Task Lighting: This is your focused, practical lighting—perfect for every day activities like reading, cooking, or working. Think bedside reading lamps, under-cabinet lights, and desk lamps.
When you layer these elements, you’ll create “pockets of glow” that bring your space to life. The result? An effectively lit home that feels more dynamic, adaptable, and tailored to your needs. Below, you’ll find examples from our previous projects that showcase how the right level of lighting can make a huge difference to a space.
Placement and Control
Where you place your lights is just as important as the fixtures you choose. Thoughtful positioning—like using pendants to draw attention to your dining table or wall sconces to wash light across textured walls—can make a world of difference in how a room feels.
And don’t underestimate the power of dimmers and smart bulbs like Hive . These simple tools let you control brightness levels, so you can effortlessly switch from a bright workspace to a relaxed evening setting. For larger homes or tech-savvy setups, consider smart lighting systems like Lutron. These systems allow you to control multiple light sources with the touch of a button or even through an app—talk about setting the perfect mood effortlessly!
Bringing it all Together
With the right combination of colour temperature, layering, placement, and control, your lighting scheme can do so much more than just illuminate a room—it can transform the way you feel in it. Whether you’re looking for a warm, cosy retreat or a bright, energising atmosphere, the right lighting choices can make it happen.
At Alex Interior Design, we’re passionate about more than just the fundamentals. We meticulously curate every lighting fixture—from low-level recessed, floor, and table lamps to wall, sconce, and ceiling lights—incorporating diffused LEDs and shades to enhance your distinctive design style.
Design: Alex Interior Design Photography: Chris Snook
Let’s Talk Lighting
Need guidance to perfect your lighting setup? At Alex Interior Design, we’re here to provide expert advice tailored to your personal project. Get in touch with us today, and let’s illuminate your space with style and sophistication.