NATURE'S colour scheme

Interior designer Charlotte Thomas has transformed a centuries-old country house into a haven of charm, with hues that are in harmony with her personality

- SARA EMSLIE

he advice that interior designer Charlotte Thomas gives to anyone wanting to add colour to their home is simple: ‘Paint walls off-white when you move in. Live with it like that for a while and learn how the light affects each room, how rooms feel at

different times of day, how you want to use each room,’ she says. Hence, back in 2011, when she and her former husband bought the period home she now shares with her two daughters and 85-year-old father, every part of the interior was treated to pale neutrals. These simple colours allowed Charlotte to understand the dynamics of each space before she began to add pigment. Today, an eloquently moody and sophisticated mix of greens, blues and pinks dominates, reflecting her deep understanding of how a carefully curated colour palette can transform a home.