Expert tips on using colour in the family home
Eco paint brand YesColours co-founder Emma Bestley and mum of 2 reveals how to choose a colour scheme, the best paint finishes for hectic homes and how to decorate with kids in tow
Did you know, currently, over 55 million litres of paint and 14,000 tonnes of tins go to landfill every year and only 2 per cent ever actually get recycled? It’s astonishing, right? Wouldn’t it be great if there was a recyclable paint brand combating the issue, I hear you ask? Welcome to YesColours.
During the first UK Covid-19 lockdown, co-founders and friends John Stubbs and Emma Bestley came together to launch their own sustainable paint brand YesColours. The idea was sparked by a chat John had with a family member about the leftover paint tins building up in the garage. Similarly obsessed with colour and design, he approached talented artist, fashion buyer and events advertiser Emma as a sounding board for colours.
When it became apparent that Emma was just as invested in the business concept as John, they decided to team up to create a paint brand that changes the way we decorate for the better, launching the UK’s first 100% recyclable paint pouch that makes it easy for people to recycle their paint waste, as well as a colour palette to suit everyone.
Read on for our exclusive Q&A with co-founder Emma Bestley, as she reveals more about the brand, discusses colour and mental health issues, as well as sharing her insider tips on decorating the family home.
HOW HAVE YOU USED COLOUR IN YOUR HOME?
I still enjoy white walls in various parts of our home, but my husband and I like to use colour to create a feeling in a space. We believe it adds personality to our rooms and we usually gravitate towards greens, blues and pinks.
We’ve just colour drenched our spare bedroom-cum-study in Mellow Blue. It’s a lovely cocooning, restful space and my garden office was painted completely in a Wes Anderson-inspired palette; Fresh Lilac, Friendly Peach and our Passionate Olive Green. It’s like a mix of Grand Budapest Hotel and Moonrise Kingdom! Next on the list is to add the rich burgundy Loving Pink to our bedroom wall. I want a cosy luxe feel and we already have muted lilac wardrobes and walls, so this richer colour will add some depth to the room.
AS A BUSY MUM, HOW DO YOU BALANCE WORK AND HOME LIFE?
Since the pandemic, my husband works from home more often and this has been a game changer for me. I must admit, the balance is more like juggling, constantly rethinking the day, negotiating with my husband about who is doing school runs and pick ups, and pulling upon family to help with after school. When they say it takes a village, it really does and I would be lost without my mum and sister. I constantly have this mother’s guilt that I’m not present enough but 95% of the time, I do their tea, bath and bedtime so they see more than enough of me, much to their dismay.
Currently, over 55 million litres of paint and 14,000 tonnes of tins go to landfill every year and only 2 per cent ever actually get recycled
YOU’VE LAUNCHED THE #MYCOLOURSBYYESCOLOURS CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH CHARITIES. CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW COLOURS AND MENTAL HEALTH ARE LINKED?
I have been fascinated with this topic ever since I found out I had Grapheme Colour Synesthesia. I see colour and feel emotions in words and numbers, so I have a healthy obsession with the direct link between colour and mental health. New research has been undertaken by The Sussex Colour Group & Baby Lab, a research lab based at the University of Sussex, which is looking at the impact colour has on children's daily functions, education and wellbeing. It looks at how colour perception affects those who are neurodivergent and how children with autism can have strong colour obsessions that can govern what they eat and other aspects of daily life.
With 1 in 5 children and young adults potentially suffering from a mental health issue in any given year, we wanted to support the vital work charities are doing in the mental health space by not only raising awareness of ‘colour therapy’, but also raising much-needed funds. For our #MyColoursByYesColours campaign, we’ve teamed up with designers, musicians and gardeners to create an entirely new paint collection that celebrates the many ways people use colour to support mental wellbeing.
CAN SOME COLOURS HELP BOOST CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH?
More research has confirmed that a reduced ability to see colour can affect children's wellbeing and emotional functioning too. There’s no textbook rule as to which colours are ‘better’ for children either. So, although it has been known that greens and blues can create a calming environment for children, some children may feel the opposite. The importance of colour towards a child’s mental health or cognitive development is based entirely on that individual child. It’s very much about self discovery and there’s a real learning journey for all involved when it comes to the right colours for your child.
CAN YOU GIVE US THREE TOP TIPS FOR DECORATING KIDS’ BEDROOMS?
Start small with the introduction of colour, in case your child gradually starts to dislike a colour or feels agitated by it. Maybe experiment with accessories like cushions and bed linens in some colours and see what they are drawn to and what makes them happy.
A child’s bedroom often needs to be multifunctional, catering for both sleep and playtime, so the colours used in the room have to be cognisant to the needs of the child in that room. For example, yellow is a joyful positive colour but can also be intense. So if yellow is too powerful for a whole space, especially when you need a restful environment at bedtime, try zoning a small area of the room with the brighter colour instead.
Involve your child so they can communicate their emotions and feelings and be part of the decision making. Painting large pieces of paper with paint sample pots and getting them to join in with you, testing out a lovely varied selection of colours, can work wonders for finding out which colour really makes them happy.
WHAT ARE THE BEST PAINT FINISHES FOR KID-FRIENDLY SPACES?
If I could gloss my whole house I would! I used a water-based gloss for the kitchen area where the kids would be wiping their hands and running past constantly. It’s a lifesaver as it’s hardy and completely wipeable.
Always consider the faithful eggshell finish for high-traffic areas. A 10-20% sheen, which is wipeable, is great for use on woodwork and in bathrooms, hallways and kitchens. It’s basically ideal for any rooms that will have more humidity, splashing water or physical activity with the kids.
WHAT DECORATING IDEAS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?
In terms of colour features, try creating little pockets of colours in spaces, whether that's within a window or door reveal, zoning a little cubicle area where they play – providing fun and energy without dominating the space. For those who don’t want to commit to a bold colour on the main walls, consider adding interest on the ceiling instead or painting the woodwork with a more joyous hue. Even the smallest injection of colour can make a positive impact on a space. I’ve never met a child yet who asks for white or beige in their rooms so any amount of colour is going in the right direction.
WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR CHOOSING A COLOUR SCHEME?
We think that paint colour choice can often be overwhelming – who needs 72 beiges and greys? So that’s why we have a succinct, all-inclusive palette of every colour in the colour wheel, in varied tones but only 64 in total.
The first key question to ask is: How do you want to feel in this room? This will instantly direct you towards a certain tone of colours. For those who want cocooning and comforting, perhaps a darker, richer colour tone would suit. To create a calm setting, maybe the muted, softer colours will be better but always look to the colour you are drawn to. Whether that's on the cooler side of the colour wheel, like blues, lilacs and greens to the warmer colours like reds, yellow and peaches.
We actually group our colours in their tonal families, as we’ve noticed that our customers are often not drawn to a specific colour but a certain tonal palette, whether it’s saturated, pale, dark or muted. It’s a good starting point for working out a room scheme once you know the group of colours which resonate with you.
ANY ADVICE FOR DECORATING WITH KIDS IN TOW?
I’m going rogue here but I would say give them some pens and paper and move them out of the way! We are massive DIYers but already having two adults in one space trying to stay safe is risky, throwing in two girls under 8 years old and it’s a recipe for spillages and drama. It’s always great to get them involved in the prep work including choosing colours. My girls love looking at swatches and creating colour combos with them. Let their inhibitions run wild, but the physical work of decorating is best left with us, often late at night once they’re in bed with a LED workers lamp and headphones on. It’s the closest to a silent disco I’m getting these days!
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