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FOUNDER OF COLOURS OF ARLEY

108/ The art of stripes with Louisa Tratalos

To celebrate our summer curation of original art for the Colours of Arley store on Hackney Road, we are excited to chat with founder Louisa Tratalos about all things stripes.

With a background in photography, Louisa is an avid observer of the world around her, finding colour combinations in the most unusual scenes. These creative palettes and patterns have captivated the interiors world, and we can't get enough.

Read about how Louisa’s rescue dog Patch sparked the start of Colours of Arley, her favourite colour combinations and tips for a timeless interior beyond trends.

You can now book your art and stripe consultation with Louisa Tratalos and our founder, Georgia Spray for Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th. Learn more and book a slot below.

 
 
 
 

How did Colours of Arley come about?

I rescued a scruffy terrier named Patch and wanted to create a throne for him to enjoy his new life in Hackney. I envisioned a fabric with bright blue and red narrow stripes but couldn't find it anywhere. So, I asked my Dad, who owns a factory in the North, if he could make it for me. After a couple of weeks and some serious persuading, the fabric arrived. I posted a photo of the new dog bed online, and it received a lot of love. Inspired by the response, I decided to launch this bespoke stripe service to others for their headboards, curtains, banquettes, and more.

 
 
 
 

What do you look for in colour combinations? 

I look for colour pairings that are unusual, that take you by surprise and we rarely see classic stripe colours being chosen by our clients. I love Pickle & Alderley Edge which reminds me of burger sauce and gherkins. I also love mixing bright neon shades with dull, dirtier colours, like Acid & Zest or Swamp & Sycamore. We do see a lot of tonal stripes, say Crystal & Pear, or Lemon Sorbet & Gold Leaf.

 

 
 

Where do you go for inspiration?

Before launching Colours of Arley, I worked as a photographer and found inspiration everywhere I went. I have a tradition now of gathering stripe patterns from each trip I take, creating a collection of colour combinations inspired by my adventures. Inspiration can come in the most unusual of forms, whether that’s a rusty old telephone mounted on a hotel wall or a pistachio pastry served in a coffee shop.

 
 
 
 

Best interior design advice? 

Never buy based on trends. We encourage people to choose stripes that hold personal significance, ensuring they will love them for years to come. I only purchase items for my home that have a story, often accompanied by a long-winded anecdote, making them treasures that evoke cherished memories.

 
 
 
 

How did you curate the art in your home and Colours of Arley store?

I love creating micro-environments, such as a welcoming and farewell moment above the door for our guests. The seating area in the store is a cosy cocoon of colour, now centered around our much-loved piece by Colette LaVette.

I have a mid-century chair with a Bug & Coconut stripe, beside a cowboy print by Kara Rose Marshall, which I matched especially. Above my dining table at home, I have a Joe Sweeney print that reads "BIG BOY BREAKFAST." Additionally, I have a rather kitsch oil painting of Patch in my hallway, a thoughtful birthday gift commissioned by my family last year.
 
 

 ART AND STRIPE CONSULTATIONS WITH LOUISA TRATALOS & GEORGIA SPRAY

You’re invited to book a free 30 minute consultation with Founders Louisa and Georgia. The experts will advise you on how to choose the perfect fabrics and artworks for your home.

WHEN: Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th - 11 AM to 7 PM, 30 minutes each
WHERE: Colours of Arley, 61 Hackney Road, London, E2 7NX

Book a consultation

 
 

FOLLOW LOUISA & COLOURS OF ARLEY

@coloursofarley | coloursofarley.com | @louisatratalos



LOUISA TRATALOS' CURATION

  • Sold
    Hot Spring

    “A lively mix of saffron and peach brings this painting to life, and the abstract shapes with black details create a striking contrast, and I’d choose this piece for a room overlooking a garden.”

    Molly van Amerongen
    Sold
    £950.00
  • Dancer One on early 20th Century French Taride linen backed map (Framed)

    "Cream Soda & Mulberry is a chic colour combination and reminds me of wines and grapes against a backdrop of stone architecture. The acrobatic pose of the figure with such great energy, makes it the perfect piece for an entertaining space."

    Isabelle Hayman
    £1,450.00
    £1,450.00
  • Sold
    Riverboat To The Pillars of Creation

    “I’m obsessed with warm Deep Rust & cool Shutters at the moment and think they are the perfect pairing, they can be found in ‘Riverboat to the pillars of creation’ but I also love Colette’s use of terracotta, pinks and deep greens in this painting. There is something so decadent and indulgent about this piece.”

    Colette LaVette
    Sold
    £3,000.00
  • Sold
    Swirl Swirl Swirl (Framed)

    “Candy Apple is one of our brightest colours, and here Rebecca Sammon has paired it with beer, a twist on a popular orange and pink stripe. I love her cool swirling top that she has styled the subject with.”

    Rebecca Sammon
    Sold
    £250.00
  • Sold
    Fondant Fancy

    “As the name suggests, this painting is all about the fondant fancy. I would use a powder pink like our Bon Bon and mix it with a brown inspired by her hair, such as Tobacco. Bon Bon and Tobacco is a stripe I've just selected for an exciting autumn project. This is one of my favorite pieces, and the bird adds an interesting anchor with its own colour palette of red and black.”

    Frankie Thorp
    Sold
    £850.00

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