Designer Q&A: Inside Lucinda Kellaway's Colourful Home

Known for her thoughtful approach to crafting colourful and functional spaces, Lucinda Kellaway shares her design tips in our latest Q&A.

Your interiors feel effortlessly layered, full of soul and colour. Where do you get your inspiration from? 

I find inspiration everywhere and love collecting images and references. Our home is peppered with trinkets from travels and vintage finds I’ve collected over the years - sometimes a whole scheme will grow from something small, like a photograph, a piece of fabric, or an ornament I love. It’s those personal touches that stop a space from feeling like a copy of something you’ve seen online or in a magazine and make it truly yours

When it comes to colour, I often look to nature for pairings that feel balanced; a colourful home can still feel calm and cohesive with a considered palette and a bit of planning. I love layering different influences and textures to create spaces that feel joyful and lived-in.

Lighting can so often make or break a room - what’s your approach to getting it right?

There are a few golden rules I always come back to when it comes to lighting. First, make sure you have three levels: overhead, mid-height (floor lamps and wall lighting), and lower-level (table lamps). This layering creates atmosphere and flexibility, letting you adjust the mood throughout the day. Overhead lighting should always be on a dimmer - and I opt for a warm bulb over anything too white or stark. It makes such a difference to how a space feels.

Our shades are handmade in England and designed to bring personality to a space. Which one from our collection would you most love to style - and where would you put it?

I adore the Lolana shade in midnight - the Temperley fabric is something special! The Victorian heritage of a fringed shade lends itself perfectly to the décor of a period home - I’d use it to add a touch of old school glamour in a more modern scheme, or really lean into that maximalist heritage aesthetic and sit it on an ornate base paired with bold patterned furniture or curtains.

What’s your advice for people who want to be braver with colour, but don’t know where to start?

If you’re feeling a bit cautious, there are plenty of low-commitment ways to introduce colour with confidence. Start small - a bold piece of artwork or colourful accessories can instantly lift a space. Or add personality with one standout accent: a vibrant sofa, a bright rug, or a painted chest of drawers.

One of my favourite tricks is to bring in colour in unexpected places - inside cupboards, along the edges of shelves, or even the back of a door. It adds a little surprise and brightens up the space without being overwhelming.

We’re all about Art Deco inspired interiors. Are there any Art Deco elements that you use in your projects?

Absolutely – I love weaving in subtle Art Deco touches to bring a sense of structure and quiet glamour to a space. Fluted details, curved mirrors, scalloped edges, or a hint of brass can all nod to Deco without feeling too theme led. It’s about layering these elements with softer textures and contemporary pieces to keep things feeling fresh and liveable.

We'd love to hear about the exciting projects you're currently working on.

I’m in the planning stages of a full renovation of a beautiful three-storey Edwardian home in Hove, complete with original stained glass and period features. It hasn’t been touched in over 30 years and needs to be stripped right back to the bones – but I can’t wait to breathe new life into it!

I’m also really looking forward to partnering with Brighton-based Enter Gallery on a new photography project, showcasing collectors pieces in their homes.

You can follow Lucinda on instagram and find her website here.

Shop our shades