The colours and textures of Scottish Hebridean beaches have a way of getting under your skin. Perhaps you already know how Caribbean white the sand is and how turquoise the sea. And maybe appreciate the breathtaking backdrop of the ever-changing moody hues of landscape and weather. But, if you have never been, and are like many of us thwarted from travelling there any time soon, here is just a little Hebridean Island inspiration.  

Isle of Skye Paint Company

I was excited to discover Isle of Skye Paint Company whose colour palette inspiration comes from the environment around the island. I got in touch and tested some of their paints for future interiors projects and can attest how accurate the paint shades are to the landscape. For those of us longing for those Hebridean seascapes, this is a very good thing!

Organic seaweed ingredient

The paints are water-based and each one infused with a special ingredient of organic seaweed. They are available in a range of 45 interior and exterior shades (tested to withstand the extreme weather conditions of a Scottish winter). My paint test revealed good coverage too.

Skye paint names

Named after various places, weather conditions and people connected to the island, Fairy Pools, Sgurr Alasdair and Skye Smirr were my test pots. I just need to get my hands on Snizort Seathrift, just the sort of dusky, grey pale pink I have set my eyes on right now …

Soothing colour palettes

I am sure many things are going to change post-Covid. For one thing, online estate agents are reporting seeing a rise in numbers of people searching for country and out of town properties. The subject of whether the pandemic will influence how we decorate our homes is also a topic under discussion in the interiors world. 

In the most recent episode of The Connected Series, hosted by Country & Town House magazine, interior designer Susie Atkinson says she is drawn to timeless, calm pastels and says she has seen a renewed interest in pale blues, particularly what she calls a ‘Swedish blue’. Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador for Farrow & Ball, is reporting sales of softer neutrals in warmer hues as well as a continued swell of interest in the darker duskier inky tones such as Inchyra and Hague Blue.

The theme of soothing colours is one that journalist Katrina Burroughs picked up on in last week’s Sunday Times with her piece, A Hue and Sky where she featured organic blues and greens.

Shell Chic

Decorating and renovating shell grottos is once again on the style agenda from grand country houses to smart London bars and homes. Whether using shells as decoration round a fireplace such as here at Annabel Astor’s (co-owner of OKA) Hebridean house on Jura or as light decoration on walls, round architraves and as borders, shells are experiencing a decorating revival. 

Shell motifs are translating onto textiles and wallpapers to accessories too.  

Shell artists

My meagre but nonetheless mindful shell efforts pale into insignificance when compared to some really talented shell artists. I have had my eye on a few who work to commission on projects ranging from renovations of Victorian grottos to high-quality interior design work and accessories. They are:

• Katherine Lloyd (has recently restored the Shell House at Pitshill House an 18th Century Neo Classical house in West Sussex)
• Linda Fenwick Shell Design
• Penny Sutherland

Blog rewind

If you haven’t read it already, you might also be interested in this previous post:

• Sustainable Interior Decorating

Thank you

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With best wishes, Charis x