Joa’s Cosy Festive Transformation
Walls: School House White No.291; Mirror Frame: Berrington Blue No.14 and Pantalon No.221; Chair: Cane No.53; Fire Surround: Smoked Trout No.60
All images by James Merrell for Red
The home of our colour curator, Joa Studholme, has the benefit of feeling light, bright and breezy for most of the year. But with just a few clever colour tricks, it’s instantly transformed into a festive hideaway – right on cue for a season of intimate celebrations and snowy nights by the fire.
These small seasonal tweaks come courtesy of our new edit of colours, Farrow & Ball Curated by Liberty. The 15 shades of the edit were chosen for their timelessness and versatility, and Joa’s festive looks – jointly created with Bryony Rae Sheridan, buying manager at Liberty – certainly pay testament to those qualities.
“I love to use colour to zone areas and create different atmospheres in different parts of the house,” says Joa, “but these don’t need to be grand statements.
“For the festive period, when the house is full of friends and family, I’ve added small touches of colour on everything from pieces of furniture to tablemats, all of which make the house feel cosy and intimate. By the summer it might look very different!”
Luckily for us, Joa’s home has been captured at its most celebratory in an exclusive photoshoot for Red magazine. And, seeing as it’s the season of giving, we’re delighted to be able to share the results with you here, too. Here’s Joa to tell us more about how her clever decorating hacks can provide the perfect backdrop to your most memorable moments this festive season.
New Year’s Day Brunch
Walls: School House White No.291; Dresser: Cola No.9918, Fruit Fool No.9911 and Liberty Botanical Flora in Lacquer
Placemats: Fruit Fool No.9911
“I like to keep things fresh and simple when it comes to breakfast, and the predominance of pink feels charming but still intimate. I am totally in love with the dresser freshly painted in deep rich Cola and lined with lush Botanical Flora velvet in the colourway Lacquer.”
New Year’s Eve Dinner
Chairs: Olive No.13; Tablecloth: Liberty Poppy Meadowfield in Pewter Blue
Walls: School House White No.291; Window Alcove: Cane No.53; Chairs: Olive No.13; Tablecloth: Liberty Poppy Meadowfield in Pewter Blue
“Minimal table setting never feels festive enough for me, so the table is always brimming with goodies from the land. This room is so connected to the exterior that it is important to include a large dose of the botanical – all which sits prettily on the charming Poppy Meadowfield tablecloth.
“This is all about the borrowed landscape, with the window reveal and panelling being painted in Cane to fill the room with festive warmth and the Olive chairs complementing the surrounding land.”
Fireside Cocktails
Walls: School House White No.291; Mirror Frame: Berrington Blue No.14 and Pantalon No.221; Fire Surround: Smoked Trout No.60
Walls: School House White No.291; Mirror Frame: Berrington Blue No.14 and Pantalon No.221; Fire Surround: Smoked Trout No.60; Chair: Cane No.53
“What can be more festive than a roaring fire when it’s bleak and cold outside? Although this room is painted in School House White, we have created cosy areas like this one with the addition of colour.
“Here you see the fire surround painted in beautifully understated Smoked Trout, while two simple bands of colour in Berrington Blue and Pantalon have been painted around the mirror for added interest.
“A chair painted in Cane completes the look, all of which of course is enhanced with the luxurious look of Regency Tulip, in the colourway Lapis, on the cushion and stool. Just perfect for that pre-feast cocktail.”
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