Cracking the Colour Code: How I Help Clients Find Their Palette Confidence (and Paint Sustainably!)

Introduction:

You know me, I'm all about creating homes that feel deeply personal. And colour? Colour is one of my absolute favourite tools to achieve that. It can completely transform a space, set a mood, and really let your personality shine. But I get it, colour can be intimidating! So many clients I work with feel stuck, unsure, or even a bit scared when it comes to making colour choices. That's why I've developed my own way of helping us get to the heart of those colour worries.

And it's important to me that we do this in a way that feels authentic and lasting. I'm not about chasing the latest trends or filling your home with fast-fashion interiors. My passion is for "slow interiors" pieces with history, items that hold meaning, and taking the time to discover a true style and direction that resonates with you. This extends to the materials we use, and that's why I'm always keen to explore eco-friendly options, especially when it comes to paint.

Luxurious bedroom with pink bedding and monkey wallpaper and a cat posing on th end of the bed

This playful yet elegant bedroom features rich velvet textures, warm pink tones, and a bold monkey-print wallpaper, the perfect blend of whimsical design and personal comfort. A curious grey cat adds personality and presence, echoing the blog’s theme of creating homes with heart, soul, and character.

My "Colour Detective" Approach

I like to think of myself as a bit of a "Colour Detective" when I start working with a client. It's not just about picking pretty shades; it's about understanding why you might feel a certain way about a colour. This method is all about helping us both uncover any hidden blocks and, ultimately, get you excited about colour again!

Step 1: Identifying the Colour Culprit

First things first, we need to pinpoint the exact colour or even the specific tone of a colour that's causing you grief. It's amazing how specific it can be! You might adore all greens except that murky bottle green, or perhaps the thought of any yellow makes you shudder. I'll make sure to note down exactly how you describe it, as that's key.

• Example: "One of my lovely clients was drawn to warm neutrals but had a real aversion to anything that was a 'cold' grey."

  
  

Tip: Often, there's more than one colour lurking in the shadows, so we'll take our time with this.

Step 2: Unearthing the Colour's Backstory

This is where the detective work gets really interesting! We'll explore where that colour block might have come from. Usually, it's one (or a mix) of these:

• Personal Colour Association: This is a big one – a memory or past experience that's become linked to the colour.

  • Example: "That bottle green? It turned out it was tied to a client's memories of a rather grim school uniform, and those school days weren't happy ones!"

    
    

• Cultural or Symbolic Meaning: The baggage that our culture or society attaches to certain colours.

  • Example: "It's surprising how often women feel pressured to dislike pink, even though they might secretly love it!"

    
    

• Psychological Impact: How a colour makes you feel on a gut level.

  • Example: "For some, strong reds can feel overwhelming or aggressive, and that's important to acknowledge."

    
    

Tip: It can be a bit of a puzzle, so we might need to dig a little deeper to get the full picture.

Step 3: Bringing It All to Light

The most powerful part? Often, just bringing that hidden connection to light – making it conscious – is enough to loosen its grip. It's like saying, "Aha! I see you now, and I know why you've been bothering me!"

• Example: "Once my client realised their dislike of cold greys was linked to feeling 'lost' in a previous home, we were able to choose warm, grounding greys that felt completely different."

  
  

Important Note: I always give you the time and space you need with this. It's not a race! Sometimes, the shift happens right away; sometimes, it takes a few days or even weeks to fully process.

Tip: If we're still stuck, we'll gently revisit Step 2 and do a bit more exploring.

Sourcing Sustainable Colour in Bristol

And speaking of colour, I'm passionate about finding the most sustainable ways to bring it into your home. We're so lucky here in Bristol to have access to some fantastic eco-conscious paint options. When we're working on your palette, I love to point clients towards:

• Earthborn Paints at Nola Interiors: "If you're thinking about refreshing your home, consider supporting local by visiting Nola Interiors on Gloucester Road. They proudly stock the beautiful, eco-conscious range from Earthborn Paints. Rather than heading straight to the big chains like B&Q, Nola offers a more personal experience and expert advice, right on your doorstep. And if you pop in, be sure to say hi to Finnola, she’s absolutely lovely and incredibly knowledgeable about the range." Earthborn Paints are clay-based and non-toxic, perfect for a sustainable and healthy home.

  
  

• Annie Sloan Paints: "Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan is one of my absolute go-tos. It comes in the most gorgeous range of colours, goes on pretty much any surface (yes, even plastic!), and dries super fast — so you can get cracking with your next coat without hanging around. Whether you're updating furniture, floors or walls, it’s an easy, low-fuss way to get beautiful, velvety results. You’ll find Annie Sloan’s chalk paints and more at retailers including Surroundings (Thornbury), Dog Head Designs (Clevedon) and Rossiters of Bath."

  
  

• Greenshop Paints: "Committed to stocking only near-zero VOC paints, Greenshop Paints is a Cotswolds-based business with a thriving online presence… and it’s not hard to see why. This fiercely independent store represents everything I love about the eco-friendly interiors industry, seeking out the very best producers of sustainable paints and finishes (including Auro Paints, which I’d highly recommend), and championing natural paints made from chalk, lime and clay. If you - like me - love nothing more than browsing tones, hues and textures, their ecommerce store is bound to be a brand new favourite, and with 25 years of experience, they’ve got all the knowledge you could wish for should you need help choosing a product."

  
  

• Frenchic Paint: "On the hunt for low-VOC paints that suit your vegan lifestyle? Look no further than Frenchic Paint, available from the ever-brilliant The House Doctor in Bristol. From subtle hues inspired by the gardens of Provence to more vibrant, popping tones perfect for all your upcycling projects, Frenchic’s range of vegan, non-toxic and natural-based paints are really worth getting excited about. With paints specifically crafted for metallic finishes, al fresco decoration, wall trims and unique artisanal looks, it’s impossible not to get inspired when browsing their selection!"

  
  

• Community RePaint Bristol: "As the world wakes up to the pressing need for more sustainable practices across all industries, all households and all areas of life, it’s initiatives like Community RePaint that show me all’s not lost. For the past 30 years, this nationwide collective has been slashing waste in the interior design and decorating scene, simply by collecting and redistributing leftover paint which otherwise would have been tossed away and ended up in landfill. It’s not only a fabulous way of protecting our ecosystem - and not least our rivers, which are struggling due to the amount of toxic waste finding its way into our waterways - but also a great place to pick up low-cost paint for your next project. The initiative serves households, businesses and schools, as well as eco-conscious projects of all types, providing affordable pre-loved paints and helping the environment one pot at a time."

  
  

Let's Get Colour Confident (and Create a Home with Heart!)

For me, it's not just about creating beautiful spaces (though, of course, that's a huge part of it!). It's about empowering you to feel truly at home in your own space, and that includes feeling confident with colour. And it's about doing that in a way that's meaningful and lasting, creating a home filled with pieces you love, colours that speak to you, and a style that's authentically you. By working together as "Colour Detectives," we can unlock your personal palette and create a home that's a true reflection of you. And we can do it with a conscience, choosing options that are kinder to our planet.

Feeling inspired but still not sure where to start? 

That’s exactly where I come in. Whether you're wrestling with colour blocks, craving a calm and cohesive palette, or just need a little clarity before you take the plunge, I offer a range of Bristol-based interior design services to support you, from Colour Consultations and Clarity Sessions, to full Designer By Your Side support.

We’ll work together to create a home that reflects your personality, values, and lifestyle, filled with colour that resonates, and choices that are both beautiful and sustainable. Ready to feel more confident with colour and design? Let’s chat, I’d love to help you create a home that feels like you. 🌈💛 Book a free 'Discovery call' Here.

Colour is powerful, and when chosen with care, it can transform not just how your home looks, but how it feels. If you're curious about exploring a more thoughtful, personal, and sustainable approach to interiors, you're in the right place.

Let’s make something meaningful.

Hannah x