Inside Style
The power of the unexpected
Katy Husband, owner and lead designer of Feather and Oak Interiors in Canterbury, on making colour work in modern spaces.
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO USE COLOUR?
Creating spaces that tell personal stories is at the heart of our design philosophy at Feather and Oak Interiors. I’m particularly drawn to using colour in unexpected ways. Our design studio bathroom perfectly exemplifies this approach, where we’ve paired House of Hackney’s striking Plantasia wallpaper with Resene Field Day on the skirting, ceiling and door. This combination creates a cohesive, immersive experience that offers a fresh perspective on the current trend of neutral palettes.
WHAT DID YOU DO WITH PAINT HERE?
While many people focus solely on wall colours, I believe the magic often lies in the details. Skirting boards, coving, ceilings and doors are vital elements that can transform a space from pleasant to extraordinary. Using Resene Field Day on these elements in our studio bathroom creates a sophisticated frame for the botanical wallpaper, demonstrating how thoughtful colour placement can elevate a design.
WHAT’S YOUR APPROACH TO COLOUR?
My approach to colour stems from the understanding that paint is more than
just wall coverage; it’s a tool for creating atmosphere and emotional connection. When clients walk into our bathroom, they’re immediately struck by how the green trim elements complement and enhance the wallpaper, creating a space that feels both bold and harmonious.
The current trend toward neutral interiors makes these colour choices
even more impactful. When thoughtfully applied, colour becomes a powerful tool for creating distinctive spaces that stand out from the crowd.
HOW CAN WE DO THE SAME?
For those hesitant about using colour, I recommend starting with these smaller elements. Painting a door or skirting board in a bold hue is less committal than an entire wall but can have equally impressive impact. Some of my favourite colours for these applications include Resene Half Foundry, Resene Field Day and a new favourite, Resene Outlaw. These are all versatile choices that bridge natural and designed elements beautifully.
This understanding of colour’s transformative power forms an essential component of the Your Dream Home Academy, which is our online series of instructional modules available to purchase and download. As part of our comprehensive design approach, we guide homeowners through the process of creating confident colour schemes that reflect their personality while maintaining design integrity. In the module “Creating your space: Vision to plans”, colour selection is just one of the many crucial elements we explore as we help people transform their design dreams into reality. Here’s my advice for using colour successfully:
• Consider the entire space, not just the walls.
• Don’t overlook architectural details.
• Use colour to create connection between elements.
• Test samples in different lights.
• Think about how colours flow between spaces.
