Living with Colour: Rita Konig
To call Rita Konig simply a style and interiors expert would be a massive understatement.The daughter of design royalty Nina Campbell, Rita has carved out a reputation both in London and New York as a style commentator, writer, designer and of course a vital influencer for the insta-generation. It’s no surprise then that the interior spaces she designs are the stuff of Pinterest legend.
Alongside her House and Garden Magazine column where she dishes out unmissable interior design advice, Rita hosts workshops in London with expert guidance on home inspiration.
At Paint Library London we are drawn to designers with a signature style, and we love matching Paint & Paper Library’s rich, diverse colour palette with their ideas. We added ‘Rita Says’ to our Archive Collection especially for Rita, as we feel it embodies the crisp, cosiness of her work.
How do you feel that ‘Rita Says’, a Paint & Paper Library Archive Colour, matches your interior style?
The Rita Says Grey was ahead of the curve, it certainly lead what became a grey sensation in the interiors world. I had nothing to do with the colour choice and it was named after my column in British Vogue that I was writing at the time. I used it a lot and I LOVED having a colour named after me!
What is your earliest memory of colour?
I suppose my first colour story is aged about 4 my mother asking me what colour I thought we should paint our then new front door. I said that I thought orange would be a really good colour, my mother, quick as a flash, told me that we couldn’t have orange as that colour had a high tax on it and we couldn’t afford it - she obviously hated the idea of an orange front door but didn’t want to hurt my feelings!
Soon after this conversation we were driving through what was clearly quite a poor area of London - literally every other door was painted orange. I never mentioned this to my mother but worried for quite a long time about our finances!
What is your top tip for interior styling?
Don’t over work it, do what pleases you and what is practical. Everything in your house needs to be comfortable or you will avoid that area of the house.
Can you define your aesthetic style in three words?
Personal, comfortable, like it’s always been there.
NEED HELP choosing your interior COLOURS?
Why not have a colour consultation with Paint Library London’s talented team of experts?
With decades of interiors experience, our professionals work with you to create schemes you love, giving you confidence to build a special style and personality for your home.
Simply leave your email and phone number with us, and we’ll give you a call to arrange a session.
Living with Colour: Emma Sims Hilditch
For the past decade Emma Sims Hilditch has become a household name for a particular style of ‘English Home’ interiors. The journey however, was not exactly linear. Emma began her career completing a business degree and a job in film production, before returning to her roots and founding her own company Sims Hilditch.
The daughter of an interior designer, Emma grew up in a world full of art, architecture and design. In 2009 she founded Sims Hilditch, to offer a complete country homes interiors package from an HQ in the Cotswolds. With a fresh approach to a new English look, Sims Hilditch celebrate a style that is classic and comfortable but also highly relevant.
The colours showcased at Paint Library London’s store in Chelsea are the perfect tools for Emma’s work, as Sims Hilditch is famous for a calm, understated and tonal style. We sat down with Emma to learn more about her style and inspiration.
Hi Emma, which two Paint & Paper Library Archive Colours would you pair with your style of English Home interiors and why?
Piccadilly Pigeon – its such a lovely subtle dark green that we love to use in formal spaces. It would work so well in a formal dining room to create a darker and more atmospheric aesthetic.
Felt II – This is a staple colour that can be used in so many ways. It’s a beautiful neutral backdrop that can complement bold and textured fabrics and artwork.
Estuary – This is a calming and practical colour perfect for cabinetry or for rooms like the kitchen, utility or boot room. It represents the countryside and greenery which we choose to use in many of our country projects.
What is your earliest memory of colour?
I was brought up immersed in a world of art and design – I remember visiting museums as a small child and falling in love with Monet’s Waterlilies at the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris. The palette used by Monet are analogous colours (that sit next to each other on the colour wheel) and are very calming and timeless.
What is your top tip for interior styling?
Build layers using contrasting textures such as wools and linens to create cosiness without being overly styledDo not be afraid of scale and proportion – I always encourage clients to go bigger than they might imagine. Oversized pendants over a kitchen island look great.Art work is so important within interiors, it will transform a room and adds personality. We enjoy mixing originals with prints either hung on a wall or propped on shelves within bookcases.
Can you define your aesthetic style in three words?
English, Understated, Elegant
NEED HELP MATCHING YOUR INTERIORS TO OUR COLOURS?
Why not have a colour consultation with Paint Library London’s talented team of experts?
With decades of interiors experience, our professionals work with you to create schemes you love, giving you confidence to build a special style and personality for your home.
Simply leave your email and phone number with us, and we’ll give you a call to arrange a session.
Living with Colour: Molly Mahon
With Easter just around the corner, we were delighted to catch up with printmaker and designer Molly Mahon. Working from her home studio, an idyllic cottage in East Sussex, Molly gets inspired out in nature immersed in the colours of Spring.
We chatted about her design influences, and her top picks from the Paint Library London Archive Colours...
Hi Molly, it’s a pleasure to have you. Could you pick your two favourite Archive Colours and explain why you like them?
Thanks for having me. First off, it has to be Jaipur Pink - of course! So much of my inspiration comes from spending time in India, so this strong colour immediately transports me to Jaipur City, a place I love a little bit more every time I go.
Moxa just does something for me right now too. Its rich, sophisticated and reminds me of all those fresh buds we are getting right now as we delve deep into Spring.
What is your earliest memory of colour?
Hmm.. I am very bad at putting my memories in chronological order, I have so many. Perhaps the marbling colours balancing on water as my mother created beautiful marbled papers
I also remember Spring flowers all around our wonderful garden that my Dad kept so well. Especially at Easter when we were hunting for eggs and would look under Primrose petals, in cracks of trees, behind daffodils.
What colour is your favourite possession?
My favourite possession is a pencil box that my Grandmother painted me with my name on. It is mostly blue, but with lots of other colours too!
Can you define your aesthetic style in three words?
Joyful, colourful and comfortable
NEED HELP MATCHING YOUR INTERIORS TO OUR COLOURS?
Why not have a colour consultation with Paint Library London’s talented team of experts?
With decades of interiors experience, our professionals work with you to create schemes you love, giving you confidence to build a special style and personality for your home.
Simply leave your email and phone number with us, and we’ll give you a call to arrange a session.