Susi Bellamy: A different class of colour

October 10, 2021

Artist Susi Bellamy’s passion for the Renaissance palette has helped transform her grand home – to stunning effect.

The house’s original chequerboard marble flooring and bright furnishings nail the classic-with-a-twist look that Susi loves. Image: James Balston

I would describe my style as classic with a twist,’ says artist Susi Bellamy, who creates vibrant textiles based on her paintings and marbled-paper designs. Her work is inspired by her love of colour, a passion that grew further when she lived in Tuscany for six years: ‘Being there opened up a whole new palette to play with.’

Marbled velvet cushions and a matching lampshade, all by Susi, give the grand hallway a soft edge. For similar chairs, try vinterior.co. Image: James Balston

Susi has brought her love of colour to her home, an apartment in a converted Edwardian manor house in Northumberland. When she and her husband bought the property it needed a total rethink, so, in 2010, she called upon architect Ike Isenhour to amplify the space and turn it into a family home for them and their three small children. ‘Ike had the vision to make subtle changes that have had a huge impact on how we move around.’ Alterations included a vaulted ceiling that floods light throughout, and moving the staircase to give the family a bigger living space to enjoy.

In the living room, walls painted in soft celestial blue (littlegreene.com) complement the velvet fabrics and accents of gold. Image: James Balston

Susi, who once described her cushion designs as ‘art for the sofa’, has painted the downstairs in greys and soft blues to make her textiles stand out and recently reupholstered some furniture in jewel-coloured velvets which, she says, ‘is a great way to add personality to a room and also express myself’.

The dark door of the living area is a dramatic contrast to the joyful colours within. Stool, lampshade and art all susi-bellamy.com. Image: James Balston

Susi’s passion for colour saw her start The Colour Collective UK, a group that holds events exploring the magic of colour and also has a close relationship with the neuroscience department of Newcastle University.

‘Coloured headboards are a great way to add personality,’ says Susi, whose own-design wallpaper adds extra pow to her daughter Charlotte’s bedroom. Image: James Balston

As Susi says, ‘I love to have fun transforming spaces by changing the patterns and colours of the accessories for a new look.’ Thanks to her designs, we can have fun, too.