Mastering Colour: Insights from Dulux's Creative Director | Interior Design Podcast

In this vibrant episode of The Interior Design Podcast, host Hayley Roy sits down with Marianne Shillingford, the Creative Director of Dulux, to explore the transformative role of colour in interior design. Packed with professional insights, this conversation unveils the science, psychology, and practical applications of colour, offering tips and inspiration for both residential and commercial spaces.

Marianne provides an insider’s view of Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2025: True Joy, explaining how trends are influenced by environmental and societal shifts. From understanding warm and cool tones to designing for neurodivergence, this episode will elevate your colour knowledge and help you avoid common pitfalls in paint selection. Whether you’re a design professional or a colour enthusiast, you’ll leave inspired and informed.

Key Takeaways:

• The role of a Creative Director and how Dulux shapes its iconic colour palettes.
• Tips for choosing the right paint for aesthetics and longevity.
• Insights into colour theory, sustainability in paint formulation, and design trends for 2025.
• How colour can transform moods, behaviours, and spaces—with real-life examples.
• Designing for neurodiversity and exploring migraine-friendly palettes for well-being.
• Tools and resources from Dulux to support your design projects.

Full Chapter Breakdown:

00:00 - Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux, Talks Colour 00:10 - Introduction to the Podcast 01:40 - Meet Marianne Shillingford from Dulux 02:00 - The Role of a Creative Director 03:32 - The Importance of Choosing the Right Paint 06:53 - Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2025: True Joy 11:59 - The Power of Colour in Design 13:04 - Exploring Colour Theory and Trends 28:38 - Warm vs. Cool Colours 31:02 - Transforming Spaces with Colour 35:07 - Sustainability in Paint Formulation 35:30 - Choosing the Right Paint for Longevity 36:25 - Commercial vs. Residential Paint Choices 39:16 - Impact of Social and Environmental Factors on Colour Trends 40:38 - The Science and Emotion of Colour 42:11 - Using Colour to Influence Mood and Behaviour 46:00 - Designing for Neurodiversity 50:00 - Real-Life Examples of Colour Impact 58:54 - Common Mistakes in Colour and Paint Selection 01:00:54 - Dulux Tools and Sustainability Initiatives 01:08:51 - Final Thoughts and Advice

Explore more, including migraine-friendly colour palettes, on Dulux’s website: here.

The Colour Story and more about Marianne can be found in the Harp Design Blog here.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about using colour as a design tool to create impactful, sustainable, and inclusive spaces.