A previous hairstylist who worked on cruise vessels traveling worldwide
Europe
and
South America
Kate Ross Morgan states that she cannot recall
not
adding colour to her home.
“I remember getting my first place, I think I was 20, and I’d done all these crazy colours,” recalls Morgan. “Because when I first moved in, I’d done what everyone else had, and went safe – I remember going for quiet, neutral tones.
“And then I said to my dad, ‘can you help me decorate? Because I just don’t like it.’ We painted my kitchen pink and put up some brighter floral wallpaper.
“So, I’d say, from a young age, when I started living on my own, I embraced colour straight away… I didn’t like sitting in a house that felt very beige.”
Today, the self-taught interior designer with more than one million social media followers across Instagram and
TikTok
, has now penned a book titled “Dopamine Decor: Style Your Home with Color.”
Joy
And Fun.
“I sense that many contemporary interior designs tend to be predominantly beige and gray, with a minimalist approach… however, I’m leaning towards incorporating more vibrant and playful elements into one’s living space,” says Morgan.
It’s not for everybody, admits the 42-year old who lives in
Essex
Along with her husband and three children, she says, “However, I believe everyone can experience that dopamine rush, tailoring it to fit your preferences.”
“So it doesn’t have to be pastels and pinks and vibrant colours… it can be anything that makes you smile, sparks joy, makes you giggle or your eyes light up in a room,” she says enthusiastically.
“I feel we don’t have enough of that in our homes, but we always seek it when we leave the house.
“So it might be where we go on holiday, a walk in the park or nice restaurant, and we always find dopamine hits in these places,” highlights Morgan. “But I feel we lack that in the home.”
It’s about bringing all that into your space, she explains. “Adding elements you love, might remind you of when you were a kid, and embracing colour.”
Ready to get a dopamine boost? Here, the interiors influencer and designer shares her top tips to colour your world…
Start small
Morgan suggests, “I often recommend beginning with something modest.” He adds, “This approach is particularly beneficial if you lack confidence or are attempting this for the first time, perhaps out of interest and the hope that you might enjoy it.”
“Give it a try and see where you stand; this way, you’ll discover your preferences. As we often believe we know our likes until we actually engage in them,” she remarks with insight.
And afterwards, we could reconsider and perhaps conclude, you know what? I’m not particularly fond of this color after all; maybe I should experiment with another shade… and view the learning experience as enjoyable,” she suggests. “I believe far too many individuals become trapped in the mindset that ‘if I decide to redecorate, it must endure for half a decade, and there’s simply no room for error.’
But I believe that’s rather foolish. We ought to adorn our homes as we do outdoors, making it an enjoyable experience.
She proposes that you might consider painting a piece of furniture instead. Alternatively, if your space has an entirely white or beige color palette and you desire a splash of color, try painting one smaller wall.
If painting isn’t for you, yet you wish to explore colors, try incorporating them into items such as rugs, cushions, curtains, or perhaps switch out your mugs for more vibrant ones.
The designer mentions that through her experiences, she has developed a particular fondness for pastels. “I enjoy colors overall, but I have a stronger preference for pastel shades. However, someone else could say ‘actually, I’m quite partial to rich greens,'” she explains.
“Everyone is unique, and dopamine affects each person differently,” she suggests. “It’s all about understanding yourself along the way, and once you do, you’ll discover your preferences, making things simpler… practice leads to mastery.”
Find your comfort colour
I enjoy having a consistent color scheme throughout my house,” explains Morgan, “so it gives the impression that all the rooms are interconnected. Even though each space has its own character, the same colors flow from one area to another… Personally, I love maintaining shades of pink as a recurring theme.
To discover your ideal color, she suggests examining your surroundings and experimenting with various objects. “Therefore, I don’t own coordinating pieces. Instead, I have an assortment of accessories featuring different hues, and my furniture doesn’t really match.”
“The colors aren’t exactly coordinated, but they do complement each other,” she points out. “Consider your favorite color — for me, it’s pink — then incorporate that into your space while mixing in various hues.”
Morgan mentions her three-color rule: “There’s the lead role, the supporting actress, and then the extra… That’s how I usually put it.”
For example, she mentions that she’d primarily use pink in a space, followed by green as her secondary color. “Perhaps I might have a pink wall, a green couch, and another element of green, like some drapes.”
And afterwards, I would introduce a third color, which could be lavender. I’d incorporate this by adding small accents like books or flowers to create a splash of lavender.
She adds, “Using three colors can make it much simpler for all elements to appear cohesive.”
Have no rules
“I realize that might sound cliché, but truly dive into it without setting any rules,” she chuckles.
“There’s a bit in my book about listening to your inner child and bringing in that fun element. Sometimes people can feel, ‘oh, that’s a bit silly, I can’t have a big porcelain cat on the side.’”
She says, yes, you can. “If you really like it and it makes you smile, then buy it. It’s a little bit of nostalgia and having fun with your home.”
Dopamine Decor: Style Your Home With Colour, Joy And Fun By Kate Rose Morgan is published by Ebury Press, priced £25. Available now.
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