Calm vs. Character
Choosing Paint and Textiles for Mood and Atmosphere

THE POWER OF MOOD IN INTERIOR DESIGN
 

Whether you're dreaming of a calming bedroom retreat or a bold, expressive living space, the colours and patterns you choose play a powerful role in shaping the atmosphere of your home.

From soft, soothing palettes that invite rest and reflection to vibrant prints that spark conversation and energy, your walls, fabrics, and furnishings can be your most effective mood-setters.

Read on to discover how to curate your very own calming space and characterful statement making space with ease. We break it all down into some simple, easy to follow steps.

CALM: CREATING A SOFT AND SERENE SANCTUARY

If you’re dreaming of a reading nook that melts away the noise or a bedroom that cocoons you after a long day...

Step 1: Start with a soft neutral paint palette as calming backdrop. Paint the skirting, cornice, ceiling, and woodwork (doors, windows) in the same calming shade to create a cocooning feel. Try Mairi Helena Paints in Barra Beach or Colonsay Bay.

Step 2: Next, it’s all about layering. Begin with the soft muted Mairi Helena Pollinator wallpaper to create a luxurious boutique hotel feel. Then go for natural and soft textiles, think light linen bedding in oat or stone, a soft cosy throw, maybe a cushion with a subtle pattern. It’s those delicate details that create the feeling of calm without slipping into bland.

Step 3: Furniture with softer, rounded shapes really helps keep the mood relaxed. Keep things unfussy, clean lines, gentle textures, and nothing too heavy, too clunky, or too dark. A curved headboard in pale velvet works beautifully. Consider a Mairi Helena Pollinator footstool.

Step 4: Finally, don’t forget the finishing touches that engage the senses. A softly scented candle, such as Mairi Helena Siabann Solas Diffuser or Candle in Lochside, warm lighting, maybe a paper lantern or a ceramic lamp, and a natural rug all help turn your bedroom into the kind of place you want to retreat to at the end of the day.

Design Tip: Use matte paint finishes to absorb light gently and enhance softness, avoid shine or gloss finishes.

CHARACTER: DESIGNING A BOLD AND EXPRESSIVE SPACE

Some rooms are made to whisper and others are made to shine be it a jewel-box cloakroom, an over the top bedroom, or a bold hallway with instant wow-factor. A Characterful space is layered and visually rich, without ever feeling chaotic. 

Step 1: Starting with the same Mairi Helena Pollinator Wallpaper, we are going to show you how to turn up the confidence and character to create a dynamic expressive space that’s full of life. 

Step 2: Add layers of contrasting patterned and textured fabrics, stripes with florals, velvets with wovens, even a touch of fringe or embroidery. The mix brings depth and a sense of curated charm. Deep greens, cool blues, rich ochres and even berry shades work beautifully against the wallpaper’s saturated hues.

Step 3: Add another hit of colour by painting the ceiling, skirting boards, or even the inside of a wardrobe. Choose Mairi Helena Paints in Islay Sea Pink, Skye Buttercup, or Iona Blue that echo the wallpaper’s palette to pull the whole look together.

Step 4: For furniture, look for statement shapes, maybe a vintage upholstered chair with piping in a contrasting colour or a painted chest of drawers that adds personality. The Mairi Helena footstool with stud trim showcases this idea. Add in character pieces that feel collected rather than coordinated.

Step 5: Finish with a touch of drama, something that feels slightly unexpected and brings a smile. It could be an oversized artwork or even a clashing bedside table. Add a more vibrant scene like Mairi Helena Siabann Solas Diffuser or Candle in Island.

Design Tip: Don’t be afraid to use a contrasting colour palette with layered patterns/textures to add drama.

FINAL THOUGHTS: CHOOSE YOUR MOOD FIRST

Colour isn’t just decoration, it’s a feeling. Whether you gravitate to the soft, restorative tones of Calm, or the energetic storytelling of Character, your choice is the first brushstroke in a space that truly reflects you.

By tuning into how you want to feel in your home, you can shape rooms that do more than just look good: they feel right from the moment you enter them. Whether you’re refreshing a single room or renovating your entire home, let colour and pattern lead the way to spaces that reflect your lifestyle and most importantly, you. 

 ORDER A CALM OR CHARACTER SAMPLE KIT 

Want to see (and feel) the difference for yourself? Download the Mood Sample Boards, available in Calm or Character and then order your coordinating samples to get started on creating your ideal space at home. 

Mood Sample Boards include:

• The Pollinator Wallpaper

• Coordinating Mairi Helena Isle of Skye paints

• Suggested fabrics in prints and solid colours 

• The matching Mairi Helena Solas home scent 

For ease of ordering, you can grab your Calm Samples below

1. Mairi Helena Pollinator Wallpaper sample

2. Mairi Helena Isle of Skye Barra Beach paint, colour card or paint pot

3. Mairi Helena Isle of Skye Colonsay Bay paint, colour card or paint pot

4. Mairi Helena Isle of Skye Islay Sea Pink paint, colour card or paint pot

5. Mairi Helena Pollinator velvet fabric sample

6. Mairi Helena Cotton velvet fabric sample

7. Mairi Helena Smoke velvet fabric sample

8. Mairi Helena Pollinator linen fabric sample

9. Mairi Helena Cloud linen fabric sample

10. Mairi Helena Honey linen fabric sample

11. Mairi Helena Siabann Solas Lochside Diffuser or Candle

12. Mairi Helena Pollinator stool

Or schedule a visit to our Edinburgh studio to get inspired and chat about the moodyou want to create in your home.

For ease of ordering, you can grab your Character Samples below

1. Mairi Helena Pollinator Wallpaper sample

2. Mairi Helena Isle of Skye Islay Sea Pink paint, colour card or paint pot

3. Mairi Helena Isle of Skye Skye Buttercup paint, colour card or paint pot

4. Mairi Helena Isle of Skye Iona Blue paint, colour card or paint pot

5. Mairi Helena Pollinator velvet fabric sample

6. Mairi Helena Heather velvet fabric sample

7. Mairi Helena Honey velvet fabric sample

8. Mairi Helena Rust velvet fabric sample

9. Mairi Helena Pollinator linen fabric sample

10. Mairi Helena Honey linen fabric sample

11. Mairi Helena Heather linen fabric sample

12. Mairi Helena Rust linen fabric sample

13. Mairi Helena Siabann Solas Island Diffuser or Candle

14. Mairi Helena Pollinator stool

Enjoy the June sunshine!

Best wishes,

Mairi 

Spring is on it’s way! And with it, here’s a mood board incorporating my new Hidden Garden wallpaper which I hope brings all the uplifting colours of the new season to your walls.

A flurry of pheasants pass by the country home. A flash of colour—their bodies are bright gold and fiery copper-red, glimmering in the summer sunshine.

This was my inspiration behind my Pheasant Tribe fabric and wallpaper. I love their chirpy expressions and bold feathers. A design to make you smile I hope!

I’m very excited to introduce my Hidden Garden wallpaper! It’s the first in a series of new wallpapers, the designs of which I will be releasing individually over the course of the year, from my new collection ‘Back to Nature’. Discover more about the inspiration behind the design here!

If you’re looking to add a subtle Scottish touch to the home alongside soft colours, then my Crossing Tides Wallpaper may just be the one! A design inspired by the changing of tides and beach-comb discoveries, washed ashore amongst the gentle foaming waves. It mixes calming greys and a hint of mauve and brings a contemporary backdrop to your walls.

Our homes our are sanctuary more than ever at the moment. A place to cocoon and re-evaluate. Our decoration and the way it makes us feel is becoming paramount. Over the coming weeks, I’m going to be sharing several interior mood board ideas featuring a selection of my fabric and wallpaper designs, incorporating some paint colour choices to go alongside. I hope they may help to inspire a room redecoration or two!

As the nights draw in and the autumn leaves fall crisp beneath our feet, the urge to hibernate and create a cosy, snug home becomes something we start to seek...

So it's with great excitement that I can reveal that we have created a brand new merino lambswool throw in my Forest Light design!

Designed for my daughter Iona and her early love of animals, in collaboration with illustrator Kate Slater. This mural combines my photography based design from the Island’s picturesque land and sea spray shores, together with Kate’s beautifully illustrated puffins, hares, blue tits and great tits. 

Here is an easy step-by-step guide on how we gave a new lease of life to an old book shelf using my Mairi Helena Forest Light wallpaper, for all those considering a DIY up cycle home project over the coming weeks.

As we’re all spending a lot of time at home at the moment, I thought it may be useful to put together a little post to provide some DIY tips on how to hang my Mairi Helena wallpaper!