My Colour Consultation with Farrow and Ball

If you, like me, have ever felt totally overwhelmed by paint charts, spent far too much money and too much time testing various (and usually pretty identical) colours on your walls, ordered the wrong amounts, or just simply got the choices so completely wrong and had to end up repainting entirely… Then, breathe easy folks… Farrow and Ball have got you!

Having experienced the aforementioned paint frustrations more times than I wish to remember, I was determined that my boyfriend, whilst coming to the end of a long and tiring house renovation, was not to have this last and final hurdle be a stressful one.  Although we both had some ideas for what colours we thought might work on each floor and room (mine perhaps being the less subtle of preferences, unshockingly…) I suggested we get a Farrow and Ball in-home colour consultation to give us both some guidance and some peace of mind on this frequently daunting mission!

Walls: Farrow and Ball Green Smoke, with Strong White skirting boards and doors. 
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Within one hour of Scott our colour consultant arriving at the house, during which time he speedily analysed both the structural detailing and lighting plan of the house, and listened patiently to our haphazard thoughts, he had brilliantly helped us devise an entire paint scheme to fit both the house and our lifestyle using some of the 132 beautifully rich Farrow and Ball shades.  

We decided on Farrow and Ball's Green Smoke for the hallway (above), using Strong White for the skirting boards and doors.  In a room that is used more as a walk way than a living space, you can afford to be a little bit more dramatic and daring with your choices.

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To compliment the Green Smoke, we chose Farrow and Ball's French Grey, which we moved into halfway up the stairwell at a natural divide, and then throughout the sitting room. This is a particularly calming colour, and it has a really chic feel to it.

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We decided on painting some of the kitchen cabinetry in Farrow and Ball's Smoke Green, which once more created a real synergy and flow between each floor.  

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Whether you're veering towards the subtle or the statement, the Farrow and Ball consultants understand the particular way each paint responds to light throughout the day, and which colours and textures combine to achieve the perfect, unique scheme for your home. 

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Scott's advice was decidedly helpful when deciding on the master bathroom colours, as the light changes so dramatically in there throughout the day. We chose Inchyra Blue for the cabinets, which is inspired by dramatic skies (much like the usual view from the bathroom window!) which when contrasted with Farrow and Ball's Cornforth White, a magically versatile grey'ish tone, and the bathroom's dark wooden floors and herringbone white marble, creates a wonderfully intimate space. 

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Following up from our consultation with Scott, we received a colour fan deck with our choices and the all-important quantities of paint required to complete each room. During a time when our minds were already pickled with light switch and cabinetry handle decisions (the last few months of last year were beyond rock'n'roll, can you tell?!), having this expert and invaluable help from Farrow and Ball, and being able to confidently make our paint order, took a huge weight of our shoulders, and is worth the investment many times over! 

Now, if only Farrow and Ball did carpet consulations…

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In collaboration with Farrow and Ball

Photography: Ella Sadika

Hair:  Taylor Taylor London

Nails:  Sophie Gass

Graham and Green Design Consultation

I have long been a BIG fan of Graham and Green, and after I moved into my new flat there was very little question in my mind over who to contact for some interior inspo.  Since 1974 the company has been well known for specialising in characterful, yet contemporary, furniture and home accessories. Quirky and frequently ethnic, there are always dozens of items available at any one time that Graham and Green have available which I would very happily home all fitting in with my own eclectic style and wanderlust.

After having a Graham and Green interior stylist visit my flat and take some measurements, we soon decided the flat’s style was ‘industrial chic with a twist of romance’ (I love that!)  The stylist then went to work on creating the perfect mood board for me, recommending particular Graham and Green items that would work with for the flat.  Visiting the Graham and Green showroom, a veritable Aladdin’s cave, to view my mood boards and many of the items suggested in the flesh, was a delight.  Not only were there macaroons and Moroccan mint tea, I loved seeing so many of the brand’s gorgeous items en masse and displayed in concept rooms, guided by the ultra charming and helpful team. 

Below:  I decided to choose some stunning, and impactful, orange coral art for my blank canvas of a sitting room and a long black mirror (frequently seen on my Instagram in my outfit selfies!)  for my hallway, matching my black wooden floors.  All these items work so well in my flat and have really set the bench mark for the rest of my interiors… which is the problem; shopping at Graham and Green is addictive!

Below are some of my current Graham and Green favourites…

Above: L-R (Clockwise):  Beaded Antique MirrorsCopper Angled Floor LampBees Wine GlassThree Flamingos MatchboxAntoinette Armchair and Footstool in HerringboneBahama CushionCactus VaseCoral Framed PrintsSet of 7 Decorative Ceiling Roses.

For a Graham and Green interior's consultation or advice contact showroom@grahamandgreen.co.uk

Shop TLC's Look...

All WE Want For Christmas 2014

Sometimes (not where chocolate is involved) sharing is caring... Why not splash out this Christmas on something for your home which both you and your loved ones (or occasional unwanted family members) can all enjoy?...

Hover over the items for direct links - Enjoy! 

'Inspire: The Art of Living with Nature' Book Launch

I recently attended the launch of Willow Crossley’s latest book, ‘Inspire; The Art of Living with Nature’ at the beautiful King’s Road branch of Anthropologie. Divided into five key chapters (Woodland, Flora, Fauna, Edibles and Beach) Willow shares fifty ideas on how to incorporate shop bought and foraged treasures in decorating your home. 

The ever-enchanting Willow had created a magical, mossy woodland display consisting of hollowed-out red, white and savoy cabbages filled with pansies, primulas and hyacinths, and whilst she dutifully signed copies of her book for friends and family, we were all spoilt with pink bubbles and organic nibbles from Dayelsford

Above:  Willow Crossley wearing her Whistles shirt with the Melissa Skirt from Girls From Savoy(RRP. £87.29) and Zara High Heel Ankle Boot Sandals (RRP. £49.99)  

'Inspire: The Art of Living with Nature' available at Anthropologie HERE (RRP. £16.99)

Kelly Hoppen's 'Design Masterclass' Book Launch

Last week I went to the Perrier-Jouët and chocolate macaroon filled launch of Kelly Hoppen’s latest interiors book, ‘Design Masterclass: How to Achieve the Home of Your Dreams,’ at  Belgraves Hotel.  As one of the world’s leading contemporary interior designers, a talent for which she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Kelly Hoppen is world-renowned for her minimalist yet luxuriously elegant interiors. The latest member of BBC2’s ‘Dragon’s Den’ panel, Kelly is responsible for designing some of the world’s most lavish houses, apartments and yachts; she operates the celebrated Kelly Hoppen Design School; and she has created a successful range of furniture and home accessories.  ‘Design Masterclass’ is a professional guide to home decorating, beautifully peppered with inspiring images of some of her latest projects.  

Above (L-R): Kelly Hoppen with Sienna Miller (in Burberry), Victoria Beckham (in Celine).
Below (L-R):  Kelly Squared with Kelly Hoppen and with my old school pal Sienna Miller.

Below:  Wearing a Kate Spade New York Pink Cape, Leather-Look River Island Skinny Trousers (available HERE - RRP. £35.00), Rag & Bone Harrow Boots in Clay (RRP. £395.00) with a Soru Jewellery Double Green Opal Ring (available HERE - RRP. £120.00) and a Torula BagsBond Street Black Canvas and Leather Clutch (available HERE - RRP. £145.00).

Kelly Hoppen will be signing copies of her latest book and discussing her incredible career at Waterstones on the King’s Road this Thursday, 28th November 2013, from 7.00pm.
'Design Masterclass' is available at Waterstones HERERRP. £40.00 £30.10

Best Of London - Kelly Hoppen

Kelly Hoppen; MBE, Interior designer extraordinaire and the undisputed Queen of Taupe.

When not designing celebrities homes (or the interiors of their private jets... yachts...) or busy writing her 8th design book, Kelly also runs her own design school, has her own collection of home accessories, designs ranges of organic clothing for Earth Couture, has a super successful QVC range, oh – and has a new TV show helping five families create stylish interiors in their own homes starting next month.

Phew! This is one busy lady.

Surely Kelly, based in West London, has no time left to go out and about and enjoy London?! Wrong. This lady is nothing if not a serious multi-tasker!

Kelly shares with us some of her London favourites;

My Transport – Black Cab or I drive my Jaguar.

My Cocktail – A Caipirinha with agave at E&O - they have the best barman.

My Date Night – With my man - Big A, at J.Sheekey – Love, love, love! 

My Sunday Brunch – At Raoul's in Notting Hill Gate – Great food and happy, Spanish staff. 

My Boutique – The Cross, its small and full of unusual one offs.

My High Street Store – All Saints, I love their t-shirt clothes. 

London’s Best Kept Secret – The Idle Hour in Barnes; its cute, has great food and is tucked away. 

My London Icon (Past or Present) – Vidal Sassoon. A good friend, he is an extraordinary man and pioneer in his field – he was also so inspired by architecture – his new film is a must!

www.kellyhoppenretail.com

'Super Interiors with Kelly Hoppen' starts on Sept 21st at 8pm on Channel 5.