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In conversation with Laura Stephens, Interior Designer

In conversation with Laura Stephens, Interior Designer

January 8th, 2024
Paint & Paper Library

London-based interior designer, Laura Stephens, is renowned for her skilful balance of beauty and practicality to create truly striking interiors. In many of her schemes, she has utilised Paint & Paper Library colours to create warm and uplifting spaces that showcase her distinctive style, as well as being bespoke for each client.

Read more from Laura as she explores the use of Paint & Paper Library in her projects and shares expert guidance to assist you in designing interiors that reflect your personal taste and style.

Can you share a bit about yourself and your work?

“I’m the founder of the design studio, Laura Stephens Interiors, which I developed slowly whilst bringing up my three girls. Now they’re a little older, I have really found my stride. I have two amazing colleagues which has meant we can take on more and larger projects. We work on residential properties of all types, from studio flats to large country houses. As a small team, we are dynamic and nimble, enabling us to offer a very personal service, which is hugely important to my ethos.”

How would you describe your design style, and how do Paint & Paper Library colours complement this?

“At the centre of my work is always the client. I don’t want to reproduce the ‘Laura Stephens’ look house. Having said that, our passion is for colour and pattern, and our clients seek us out to weave this – in many guises – into their home. 

We have used Paint & Paper Library products in our repertoire for many years. The Architectural Colours colour-coding system – using the same colour in different depths of tone, from pale (I) to strong (V) – is a fail-proof way to introduce colour throughout the home.  

In this London living room, we used Canvas I on the walls and Canvas IV on the ceiling, which added contrast that we knew would work together. Canvas is used throughout the rest of the ground floor to provide a feeling of continuity through the home, whilst changing the mood seamlessly.” 

Learn more about the Architectural Colours

“We use this system as our backbone but then introduce some of the punchier colours into certain parts of the room, or sometimes individual rooms. Here we have used Stone II on the woodwork and ceiling, but thrown in Salvia to the roof light frame. We have also used Bronze in reflective Architects’ Gloss on the free-standing tall kitchen units, to ground the space and bounce light around the room.”

Do you have any favourite Paint & Paper Library shades that you always find yourself coming back to?

“My 'go to’ neutrals are Leather I-V, which are my perfect set of ‘none-beige’ but warm, creamy neutrals. I’ve used Leather II on panelling along with Rhubarb – another favourite hue – on the cabinets of this kitchen."

"Talking of Rhubarb, we also used it on the panelling of this guest room - the perfect deep pink.”

Order a sample pot of Rhubarb

What is one of your favourite projects you have worked on using Paint & Paper Library?

“One of my favourite projects using Paint & Paper Library colours has to be this magnificent yellow kitchen. My client knew she wanted a yellow kitchen, but it needed to be the perfect ‘mustard’ yellow, without being too grey in tone or drab."

"Muga was so perfect and complemented the warm wood tones in the wall unit and screen. We used Georgetown on the island to ground the space whilst adding tonal contrast to the units. The ceiling and walls are all Stone I.”

Tell us about your process of choosing colour for a project. What are some of the key considerations?

“When I choose a colour for a room, the crucial thing to consider is the mood I want to set. This is often dictated to by the amount of natural light in the space. I always embrace a darker space using a strong colour (rather than painting it in a white or neutral, which will only appear dingy). In this bedroom, we wanted a warm, comforting colour (Caddie) which would showcase the beautiful rich colours in the furnishings.”

Order a sample pot of Caddie

“Whilst in this bathroom we wanted to create a playful mood using pale colours, without making it insipid. We played off these mustard tiles by using Plaster V on the panelling, the perfect ‘none-candy’ pink.”

Order a sample pot of Plaster V

And finally, can you share your three best tips when it comes to interior design?

1. "Be true to your own style. Social media, whilst providing amazing inspiration, has meant that it can be hard to work out what your own style or aesthetic is. Try to work out which images you always come back to. Don’t be swayed by a maximalism trend, for example, if you just couldn’t live that way and you are a natural neat freak. Being true to how you live will make your choices the right choice."

"2. Be brave where you can. None of my clients have ever regretted being guided out of their comfort zone into using bolder colours. However, if this feels like too much, start by using a bolder shade in a small space, like a WC where you don’t spend much time. Or consider painting a single piece of furniture in a strong colour for a manageable statement – on this desk we used Rufus."

"3. Finally, have fun with your interiors. Things can always be changed, but they should always bring you joy!"