Fiona de Lys
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Inspired by a visit to the Scottish Highlands in April

Inspired by a visit to the Scottish Highlands in April

by Steve Gibson

Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident...

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Join me at my Colour Retreat in Liguria, 6–10 May 2026

Five days of local colour, architecture, design, workshops, and sublime landscapes

Find out more

fionadelys_colourconsultant

Home & Online Consultancy
Workshops & Training
Colour Retreat, Italy 2026
@englishhomemag @houseandgardenuk
@nostalgia.corporation
Substack
Immerse yourself in colour this spring in Liguria, Immerse yourself in colour this spring in Liguria, you’ll see magnificent architecture, inspired design, and some truly sublime landscapes, and you’ll make new friends with similar interests. In my Delysian Colour System workshops, you’ll develop new confidence planning and using interior colour, and come home buzzing with creative ideas for interior design projects. Visit my website for more information and to download my retreat brochure - https://fionadelys.co.uk/special-event/the-colour-retreat/ #colourretreat #creativeretreat #liguriaItaly #creativeescape #interiordesignretreat
There are so many myths surrounding the use of col There are so many myths surrounding the use of colour in the home, and these often flag up in my workshops as belief-blockages. So, I thought it would be a good idea to start looking more closely at these, if only to raise a different perspective for those of you starting out and not sure what to believe. Myth #1: north-facing rooms are cool. Not always. Reflected colour from outside can substantially effect the final result. Take my bathroom as an example. The brickwork of neighbouring property opposite (a tall south-facing wall) throws an apricot hue into the room, particularly when the sun hits it in the late morning and afternoon. you can really see this to the right hand of the image. I personally have a preference for colour that leans into natural light conditions so I chose a cool, subdued green with warm undertones that could naturally become a warmer version of itself. You can learn more about colour, aspect and the considerations in my Part 1 colour course. Details in bio link above. Argile des marais @argilepeinture #wallpaint #colourconsultant #interiordesigntips #colourfulhomes #colourconfidence
On day 4 of my retreat, we’ll explore Chiavari’s r On day 4 of my retreat, we’ll explore Chiavari’s renowned vintage market, enjoy an expert design talk at the famous Chiavari chair artisan factory, and end the day with dinner at an exclusive marina restaurant. Visit my website for more information and to download my retreat brochure - https://fionadelys.co.uk/special-event/the-colour-retreat/ #colourretreat #creativeretreat #liguriaItaly #creativeescape #interiordesignretreat
It was such a pleasure hosting Francesca @francesc It was such a pleasure hosting Francesca @francescaspaintsltd on Thursday evening for the Colour Companions online talk. We looked at some of her projects and the incredible colours she creates in her 27 palettes, and that doesn't include all the bespoke ones. As an artisan, Francesca works with pigment combinations to create unique colour recipes in her Battersea studio for clients all over the world - "I'm like a chef", she says, "people come to me to make a colour and I put on my apron and starting mixing". We spoke about the subtle shift in colours throughout the day according to movement in light, owing to pigment rich formulas with ochre and raw umber, for example. We could have chatted all evening but in our hour together what struck me the most is her passion about her craft. Francesca celebrates 30 years of production this year - keep your eyes peeled for more on that. In the meantime, here are two sets of combinations for Francesca's Paints using the principles of the Delysian Colour System. To order colour charts or samples, contact Francesca directly. 🌟Luminaria is a member's group for the Delysian Colour System workshops and online training. To find out more about upcoming workshop dates, head over to my website. Link in bio. #designerscollective #delysiancoloursystem #naturalpaint #colourscheme #interiordesigncommunity
Flicking through my photo album, I found this phot Flicking through my photo album, I found this photo of me holding colours up in Portofino taken 4 May 2024. I recall this particular trip well. I had been working with the paints @argilepeinture for some time as a consultant in the UK and began noticing in prior vists to Liguria a resonance between the chromatic qualities of the buildings and trompe l'Å“il with the paint colours. So, with a week to spare, I set off with my heavy rucksack on my ususal Ryanair route (Stanstead to Genoa) to jump into Luca's cab at the other end (he knew my grandfather so has driven 4 generations, including my son) to carry out research and compare the Terre and Vegetal paint ranges with my immediate Italian landscape. There was a colour in hand for every nuanced hue of shadow and highlight and building. It felt like striking gold, to me, and just so worth the effort. You know when you know, and I knew. But how would the colours compare in nature? I ventured down to my favourite little cove (where only seasoned experts or the mad dare navigate the lethal underwater stones and boulders against the waves into the sea in a seemingly 'effortless' fashion - I'm one of those but not saying which) to find my treasure once again. I even posted about this on my Instagram feed at the time. The story has disappeared but a post remains. The colours of Liguria are in my DNA - I feel so invigorated by the enormity of offering between land and water and although The Colour Retreat did not exist in my wildest imagination at the time, I'd like to think that I was already there in body and spirit....it just took a little longer for my mind to catch up. And here it is, literally 24 months to the day that photo was taken, ready for you to experience. The Colour Retreat, May 2026 - brochure in link in bio. #colourretreat #interiordesignretreat #cornerofmyhome #interiorlovers #pocketofmyhome
What a 24 hours! I've been prepping some new mater What a 24 hours! I've been prepping some new materials for the Part 2 workshop and speaking with lovely creatives, including Francesca @francescaspaintsltd who I am interviewing tomorrow evening at the next Luminaria meet-up - the exclusive online group I run for anyone who has been on my workshops - and Francesca is my first of many guests to follow. We'll be chatting colour, paint, inspiration, some rooms, honouring self and much more. Looking forward to this. I've sent off my donation voucher for the @nspcc_official Childline Ball on 12th March @savoyhotelspa - something I was honoured to be invited to be involved with ealier in the year along with @womankindworldwide . I've caught up with international clients and enquiries - California, South Africa and Jersey - but the highlight of the day was taking Fonzo for an interview for doggy day skool. He passed with flying colours and begins on Friday - he will spend 1 or 2 days a week and some workshop Saturdays, 10 minutes away where he will play, rest and learn with others dogs which makes me (and him) happy. Today, I'm on a shoot for @wearefuturecreative - a brand storytelling studio who I've worked with on various media campaigns - ensuring that styling shoots go smoothly with brand aesthetics and subtle representantion of brand colours. Roll on March.... #creativelife #creativepractice #creativehappenings #colourfulliving #colourfullife

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Courses & The Colour Retreat

The Colour Retreat, Liguria 2026

Aesthetic Narrative course
Colour Perspective, Placement and Purpose course
Chroma Confidence and Palette Frameworks course

Aesthetic Narrative + Colour Perspective, Placement and Purpose courses bundle (save 20%)

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Designed by Gibson. Photographic & prop credits.