When it comes to interiors, I’m an absolute colour-phobe. The boldest I’ve been in my own home is with a light grey, which to be honest is practically white in some lights. I just love the clean lines and Scandinavian vibe of pure, fresh, white walls. A Splash of Colour might well be the perfect website for people like me then, who have a fear of injecting colour into their homes.
Set up by Natasha Broady, A Splash of Colour is a new online store that filters a carefully curated edit of products by colour. From graphic prints and funky cushions to neon chairs and eye-catching lamps, Natasha has designed the site to give colour confidence and make us all a little bit braver. The key to brightening up a room, she suggests, is not being overwhelmed with the idea of painting a whole room one colour, but using unique, unusual pieces to add focus points of colour.
The shop, only just launched, is beautifully designed and very cleverly organised, allowing you to pick and filter by colour – it’s very almost brought me over to the colourful side. It’s made me think about injecting a bit more colour into my own home – using colour doesn’t have to be daunting, but could be fun little additions such as a piece of art or cushion that can bring a space alive. I chatted to Natasha to find out more about her philosophy and how she started A Splash of Colour…
What made you decide to start A Splash of Colour? And why focus on colour in particular?
I started A Splash of Colour because I absolutely love interiors and in particular coloured interiors. For years I have been thinking about a way to move over from marketing to concentrate on working in an industry that I love – retail and business have always been in my blood as my parents both had shops. So when I took some time out to travel in 2013 I realised that it was now or never and I had to find a way to bring together my love of brand, retail and coloured interiors and do something for myself.
The focus on colour came about because I’ve always been fascinated by how many people are scared of colour and shy away from it because they don’t know how to use it in their home. I love colour, I think it can make such a positive difference to a home. I saw a gap in the market for a colour-focused retailer and decided to take the leap.
How does the site work?
I worked really hard to get the site right. I spent a long time finding the right web designers who understood my concept and vision. It was so important to me that the site was easy and functional to use but also screamed colour in a stylish and simple way. I split the site search into two areas ‘colour’ and ‘product’. The main focus is a simple scrollable toolbar with a range of coloured circles with each taking you to a curated, and hopefully inspiring, product selection focusing solely on that particular hue. For those looking for a particular item, no matter what the colour, I have designed easily recognisable illustrations depicting each category that A Splash of Colour offers – from cushions to artwork, tables to lamps. It really is simple.
What do you hope people will get out of the site?
My aim for A Splash of Colour is simply to inspire people, and to take the fear and unknown out of buying into a colourful interior. Colour in a home really can transform a surrounding and make it a much more exciting place to live. Through the site I want to make people think about coloured furniture differently, almost as an art investment, to consider pieces that will give them a talking point in their home and help them start to see how even the smallest pieces, like a cushion, can make a big difference to a room.
What is your favourite colour for the home?
That is impossible to answer. Every home has a different ambiance and feel and I would actually advise people to live with a home for a while before you decide on a colour scheme. It is important to choose a colour scheme based on a mood you are trying to set so get a feel for a room first. I absolutely love Abigail Ahern’s style – she is a big inspiration to me – but as I don’t own my own home currently I haven’t had the chance to be brave with her darker colour palette.
What are some of your favourite pieces on the site?
I get asked this question a lot and it is so hard as I honestly love everything on the site otherwise it wouldn’t be on there but I’ve picked a selection of a few things that for personal reasons I love. The Tat Man from El Famoso is a piece of art I fell in love with at first sight. He’s just so cool and everyone I’ve shown him to has fallen in love with him, too.
I’m a big concrete lover so the Alpha Concrete lamp has definitely got to be on my list. I love the simplicity of design, with the unexpected hint of colour, all topped off with a statement exposed bulb. And finally the Memphis cushion. The block of colour with the geometric pattern makes this a real statement piece for a sofa or a bedroom.
Do you have any tips on how people can be braver with colour in their homes?
Take the leap – leaving the safety of a neutral colour palette can be daunting so why not start off small with key pieces, such as a side table or lamp, and then build upon it organically… You don’t have to buy into a full makeover all at once. Think about layers and texture as this is what really makes a room exciting.
Remember the small stuff – Don’t be daunted and think you have to paint a wall red to introduce colour into a room. Small pieces can really bring a room to life so start by introducing coloured cushions, plant pots or lighting and I promise your love for colour will grow.
Think about art – Impactful art doesn’t have to be expensive anymore. A few key pieces in nice frames is a good way to add colour to your home and give a room a real talking point.
Thank you for chatting to me Natasha! And don’t forget to check out A Splash of Colour…
