Designing with Our New Paint Colours: Interior Insights from Sarah Fox

We invited Sarah Fox, the creative mind behind Fox Interior Design, to share her perspective on our two new paint colours: Hazelwood and Sumac. Known for her talent in balancing classic and contemporary styles, Sarah reveals how the right palette can transform a space, setting the mood through carefully layered tones, textures, and finishes.

From Inspiration to Moodboard

Just as Tom Howley’s designs and ideas evolve, Sarah’s projects begin with a spark, drawn from nature, a treasured piece of furniture, or a captivating work of art. Sarah explains, “We’re constantly inspired by what we see in both the design world and the natural world. Sometimes that creates a spark that becomes our starting point. Other times, it’s a piece of art or a furniture item that the client values, which we then use as inspiration. From there, we combine these ideas, refine them into a mood board, and build everything around it.”

For Sarah, the moodboard is central to the process. “It’s usually a curated mix of inspirational images, whether existing designs or textures and colours, alongside furnishings, fabrics, and material finishes,” she says. By thoughtfully selecting textures, colours, and materials, each scheme is carefully crafted to reflect the client’s style while enhancing the space’s personality.

The Emotional Power of Colour

Colour, Sarah believes, is never just decoration; it’s atmosphere. “Colour has a subconscious effect on our mental state of mind and sets an emotional tone, influencing how we feel, behave, and interact within a space.”

Hazelwood, our new grounding brown, draws inspiration from the warmth of nature. Sarah notes that this versatile shade could be used for cabinetry, feature walls, or more minor details, harmonising beautifully with both modern and traditional homes.

“Balancing browns with lighter elements, such as soft creams, warm whites, or natural textures and incorporating finishes like mirrored glass, brushed brass, or ceramic lifts the mood, brightens the palette and creates a layered, cohesive look.” Texture also plays its part, softening the visual weight of deeper shades with linen or raw timber.

Where Hazelwood grounds, Sumac brings energy. A bold, autumnal red, it instantly evokes comfort and a sense of cocooning warmth. “Textures break up this visual weight, adding layers and interest,” Sarah explains, recommending boucle or leather to keep red feeling rich but elegant.

Balanced with creams or dusky olive greens, Sumac takes on a timeless sophistication. Paired with chocolate browns, it becomes even more enduring. “Chocolate brown and deep reds are a timeless choice in interior design. While they naturally lean into an autumnal mood, their versatility makes them suitable year-round, lending a sense of comfort and cocooning warmth to any space.”

For Sarah, these shades are inseparable from their natural roots: “For me, brown evokes an image of nature, and nature is an incredible source of inspiration for designers.”

Her advice for those experimenting with bolder palettes is simple: “Stay true to your style. Choose bold colours that resonate with you personally. Trust your instincts—colour can express personality and mood.”

Essential Tips for Styling with Hazelwood and Sumac

• Hazelwood: Pair with lighter neutrals, timber, or metallic finishes to soften depth. Ideal for cabinetry or feature walls.

• Sumac: Balance with creams, dusky greens, and textured fabrics or leather.

• Textures: Linen, timber, velvet, and ceramics prevent dark hues from feeling heavy.

• Undertones matter: Warm reds with golds, cooler browns with greens, for visual harmony.

• Trust your instincts: Bold colours work best when they reflect your personal style and lifestyle.

Discover Sarah’s colour insights, alongside tips from other designer experts, in our Seasonal Colour Edit Lookbook— download your free copy.

A special thank you to Sarah Fox for sharing her inspiring ideas and expertise. To see more of her work, visit Fox Interior Design or follow her on Instagram: @foxinteriordesign.