On Saturday 2nd March, The Modern House office hosted a one-day workshop on how to live with colour with premium paint manufacturer Farrow & Ball, who we have partnered with to make a four-part film series, ‘Living with Colour’.

Guests arrived with photos of their home, architectural drawings and material palettes to be booked in for short one-on-one sessions with Farrow & Ball’s Colour Consultants. The consultants offered tailored design advice based on the architectural period and style of guests’ homes, while also taking into consideration their lifestyle and aesthetic sensibilities.

Mid-way through the advice appointments, a presentation by Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball’s International Colour Consultancy Manager, offered a crash course in decorating, from different interior style options to applying colour to exteriors. Here are Patrick’s top three tips on how to live with colour.

1. Hot and cool
Restful, softer hues work better with light levels found in the northern hemisphere. Live near or below the equator? Make the most of the intensity of light with fiery, warm shades – think along the lines of Mexican architect Luis Barragán’s vivid exteriors.

2. Forget the rule book (but not completely) 
There are very few rules when it comes to decorating but there are three basic options that can help steer you in the right direction.: if you’re going for dark walls, opt for lighter woodwork, and vice versa. Or, go bold with one-colour rooms.

3. Don’t take light lightly
Light is fundamental to our experience of colour, so consider the orientation of rooms when choosing a scheme. North-facing rooms are never going to feel light and airy, so embrace the darkness by creating something dramatic and cocooning. Make the most of south-facing rooms by choosing pale tones that will emphasise the day-long warm light.

The presentation was followed by a screening of the first two films in our ‘Living with Colour’ series. The first, with artist Alessandra Taccia, is a case study in how working with a restrained, neutral palette is just as thought-demanding as something bolder. Our second, with Melrose and Morgan founders Ian James and Nick Selby, is a lesson in going bold and graphic.

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