The story of a life lived in colour

At the heart of my work is a human-centred design philosophy that embodies colour, emotion, identity, with healing, self-care and growth. I call this philosophy an aesthetic narrative for creating restorative and joyful interiors. Here, at the intersection of colour, feeling, and visual literacy, is my work creating spaces with presence and meaning.

Although ever-recognised throughout my life, the influence of colour has never been felt more than at home. The careful renovation of my dilapidated Grade II Georgian cottage taught me how to commune with a building, with rooms, and read the ever-changing movement of light and colour. A deep appreciation between this relationship and atmosphere has further advanced my consultancy practice to be able to bring this knowledge to my clients and students. My goal is to create beautiful homes with experiential benefits, in personal dialogue with those that occupy them.

It is the confluence of my English-Italian heritage, and the ebb and flow of change, from which I first explored the roles of identity and history for developing a personal dialogue with colour. I now work as an industry recognised colour consultant in the UK and overseas, partner with the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID, and provide comment and content for publications. Through my language-teaching background, I have developed a unique approach to blended learning, emphasising colour to be read and felt. I run workshops for individuals and groups in my proprietary Delysian Colour System at my press-featured home, Lantern Cottage, in the UK’s first independent in-house colour immersion experience.

 

The story of a life lived in colour

At the heart of my work is a personal story — the confluence of my English-Italian heritage, set design, Mediterranean culture, history — and a desire to put these into a body of work that celebrates emotion and nostalgia through colour. I call this celebration an aesthetic narrative and it’s what I aim to help you achieve, too.

Although ever-present throughout my life, the influence of colour has never been felt more than at home. It was during the careful restoration of my dilapidated Grade II Georgian cottage, that I learned to observe, listen to, and understand the soul of a space.

The time spent restoring taught me how to commune with a building, and read the ever-changing highlights and shadows. An intuitive feel for the relationship between colour, atmosphere, and light began to emerge.

Discover the Delysian Colour System, a unique way of working with colour in interior spaces

I help homeowners, interior designers and paint brands to create vibrant, colourful spaces. I consult on both a national and international level, and also provide mentorship, bespoke talks, demonstrations and training sessions for individuals or groups wanting to develop their agency in using colour as a communication tool for colour schemes.

My aesthetic goes beyond the purely visual, mixing depth, experience and place. I am fascinated by the dynamic and subjective qualities of how colour and light are experienced, particularly in the Japanese aesthetic philosophy of In’ei (shadow and darkness) that softens imperfections and enhances subtle beauty. I integrate this into research, and observations I make in my environments — in the perception and use of colour — particularly in my Italian homeland of Liguria, where trompe l’œil has gifted me the ability to read colour in an immersive and creative, three-dimensional way.

This combination forms the roots of the Delysian Colour System — a holistic approach to working with colour as a communication tool for self, narrative, and space — that I created for my colour consultancy service. I also offer training in colour consultancy, and colour use in interior design, with the Delysian Colour System at its heart.

A part of the conceptual approach to my work is the idea of ‘precious containers’ — symbolised by the use of styled antique vessels throughout my home, and seen in my Lantern Cottage features in the interior design press.

More on DCS training

Colour consultant, experienced trainer and speaker.

My creative practice combines years of industry experience and research, and working partnerships with brands such as Benjamin Moore, Deus ex Gardenia, Orac, Casamance, Bisley, Argile and Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.

I also present at events such as Focus, Decorex, Chelsea Design Quarter, Clerkenwell Design Week, and for Mad About The House Turin Retreats, and am featured in, or often provide expert comment to, the UK interiors and national press — House & Garden, The English Home, Ideal Home, Homes & Gardens, Marie Claire and The Times Magazine.

Get in touch

Chantal Gelb

“We were thrilled with Fiona’s service. She unlocked our aesthetic narrative and guided us toward a palette of colours we wouldn’t have had the confidence to choose, and we absolutely love it. She brings an innate perceptiveness, attention to detail and understanding of colour, with extensive knowhow and experience.”

Jo Elliot

“Within an hour of arriving at the house, Fiona had analysed the structural detailing and lighting plan of our cottage. After listening patiently to my haphazard thoughts, she helped plan the entire paint scheme brilliantly, whilst considering how colours respond to light throughout the morning. I was thrilled with her choices. Her help was invaluable.”

Josephine Corbett

“Joy. Thank you so much for today. It really was such a treat for me and I feel so excited getting it all done. I’m even warming to the lavender in the kitchen — the sky was full of it this evening, and I started noticing it everywhere! All so exciting. Thank you.”

Private client

“Fiona is a marvel. Her colours come together in a beautiful symphony. She really takes the time to consider the narrative of a home and its inhabitants to conjure a beautiful palette fit for their story. We had such a fun morning building the layers; it was a treat to see it all come together under her expert eye.”

Kate M

“Fiona’s choice of colour palette was inspired by her creativity but was also thoughtful and considered. Most uniquely, she showed a real desire to bring our project to fruition, and took as much care and interest as if it were her own.”

Annabel K

“Fiona has a reassuring confidence when it comes to understanding colours, with an eye that observes the light and surroundings. I was so glad that I decided to employ her services. It has definitely not only saved us from potential mistakes, but improved on our choices, as we juggled things around and added some exciting combinations of paint colours.”

Carla

“What a fun experience it was meeting with you to help enliven my home through colour! Every time I walk through the rooms with all the different colours you’ve helped me pick, it enriches my day-to-day life. To see all those vibrant paints, and how well they all go together is something I would never have been able to do myself. I’m very grateful.”

Private client

“The use of colour to make a home flow inspired my desire to use Fiona’s services, and so I invited her to my recently renovated Queen Anne home in Wiltshire. The array of colours and ideas that she brought to the project has totally transformed my home into one that I would never have thought possible.”

Valentina S

“Working with Fiona has been a wonderful experience from the very start. She is a poet of interiors, and when talking about colour and style, it was as if she was connecting to my essence — to inspire and create what I was longing for.”