FOUNDER OF ATELIER ELLIS
Curating through colour with Cassandra Ellis
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How did Atelier Ellis come about?
I founded Atelier Ellis 2018. Having always made my own colours for interior projects, and always being driven by colour as a storyteller, I launched my first colour collection of 18 shades. From there it has grown both in number of colours, and more importantly, in our own manufacturing by putting materials and best practice first.
How would you describe Atelier Ellis’ design ethos?
All aspects of the Atelier Ellis approach to paint and colour are informed by a philosophy of making paint as a conduit to helping people tell their story of home and place. We place humans at the centre of what, how and why we make, which is why our colours often feel emotive and familiar, and why our paint is carefully formulated to be better for people and place. We’re guided by beauty, knowledge and goodness. This includes the materials that we use - and don’t use; where we source our materials - and don’t; how we treat our customers, and how we treat each other.
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What guides your colour choices for a space?
We always start with the human - as in the person or people that are living in the space. We all have deep-rooted colour memories. If yellow makes you shudder then it doesn’t matter if your kitchen cupboards would look great in yellow - you will be unhappy. Then we look at the space - light, engagement between rooms and the pleasurable uniqueness of each-and-every house.
How does colour influence the artworks that come into your home?
It doesn’t - if I like something it comes in. I don’t believe you should match your wall colour to your art or vice versa. It’s whatever pleases you.
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If you could have any artwork what would it be and why?
Winifred Nicholson’s Road Along the Roman Wall (Landscape with Two Buildings), 1926. It hangs in Kettle’s Yard - so I just have to make do with sitting in a chair and looking at it.
Favourite artwork in your collection and why?
As a painting - Philip Jones - the Gate. We bought it from Jenna Burlingham when we could first start buying ‘good’. It’s the first painting I see when I walk in the door. Otherwise, there are many many ceramics by all sorts of excellent makers. And bird’s nests - and baskets - and textile art. And slowly I will buy a piece by Celia Dowson when I can. The thread is hands and excellence - and beauty.
QUICKFIRE
Go to place for inspiration? The V&A, Flow Gallery, Kettle’s Yard, and gardens.
Personal favourite colour? Our Tamaki
Design muse? Pauline de Rothschild
