A timeless utility room transformation with @hornsby_style
The home of Sharon from @hornsby_style blends traditional country style with contemporary influences, creating a series of charming spaces that reflect their natural surroundings. In her recent utility room project, she transformed a blank canvas into an inspiring scheme, using an elegant palette of Paint & Paper Library colours.
Read more about this project, which utilised the self-priming, multi-surface Architects’ formulations to achieve longevity in both finish and colour…
How would you describe your interior design style?
“I like to use natural textures in my homes such as wood flooring and beams, with a colour palette of natural colours too. You will always find muted greens and blues alongside warm neutrals with a pop of brighter colours here and there. Natural light is so important to me, and it’s also important that my home feels warm and welcoming. I guess it’s a real mix of Scandi and traditional English design.”
Tell us about your utility room project. What was your vision for the space, and what did you want to achieve?
“Even though it’s small at only 2 x 2 metres, I wanted the utility room to have plenty of storage, and a bit of a ‘wow’ when you walked in, with beautiful colours, textures and pattern. We added an oak board ceiling and new chequerboard floor tiles, as well as a striking marble effect top and splash back. We also incorporated striped curtains to hide the washing machine and radiator, brass fittings, and panelling on the walls.
The colours and finishes I chose were:
Porcelain V in Architects’ Eggshell – cabinetry and shelving
Leather III in Architects’ Matt – walls
Leather III in Architects’ Eggshell – woodwork
Mchanga in Architects’ Satinwood – door
Willow V in Architects’ Matt – walls in adjacent study”
Your chosen colours create such a soft and inviting feel. How did you design this colour palette?
“I knew I wanted the units to be blue, so I tried a few testers out and Porcelain V was the perfect shade next to the oak, marble and floor tiles. As I was using a cool blue, I wanted a warm neutral for the walls, and Leather III worked beautifully. The colour of the doors and skirting came about as I just loved the colour of the floor tiles next to the blue, and I wanted to replicate it elsewhere in the room. Mchanga was almost an exact match, and it also looks so beautiful next to the Willow V walls in the adjacent room. The colour all flows so beautifully from one room to the next which is so important.”
![Mchanga](data:image/svg+xml;utf8, <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" x="0" y="0" height="262px" width="350px"><rect width="350" height="262" style="fill:%238d746a" /></svg>)
![Leather III](data:image/svg+xml;utf8, <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" x="0" y="0" height="262px" width="350px"><rect width="350" height="262" style="fill:%23E3D4BA" /></svg>)
![Willow V](data:image/svg+xml;utf8, <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" x="0" y="0" height="262px" width="350px"><rect width="350" height="262" style="fill:%23C8C7A2" /></svg>)
![Porcelain V](data:image/svg+xml;utf8, <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" x="0" y="0" height="262px" width="350px"><rect width="350" height="262" style="fill:%23AEBDC0" /></svg>)
What was your experience using the self-priming, multi-surface Architects’ finishes for the first time?
“I am definitely an Architects’ finish convert! It’s such a great paint to use, going on beautifully and needing only two coats on every surface. It was just perfect, and so easy with not having to prime beforehand.”
Can you share your best tips and guidance when it comes to interior design?
“1. Always get testers for a paint colour and paint areas on each wall. The pigments change so much with the light, and only then can you see if you’re happy with it throughout the space.
2. Try a a hue that’s slightly out of your comfort zone too – either brighter, darker or lighter than you think – as it may surprise you and be the one!
3. Think about how colours flow from one room to the next, rather than treating them as just one room."
4. Have a ‘red thread’, also known as the throughline. This focuses on one design detail – it can be a colour, shape or even texture. If you’re doing it as a colour, which is something I always do, it can be as subtle as a vase or a throw – or even a plant if you’ve chosen green – or something as bold as a colour drenched room. Just pick your colour and have a lot or a little of it in each room in your home. It really gives your scheme a beautiful sense of cohesiveness.”
