Interior and exterior confidence
Create Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of inform...
Harvey
Jun 10, 2026
Working with paint
with KATHRYN M. IRELAND — Renowned interior and textile designer. AD Top 20 Most Famous Interior Designers, Elle Decor A-List.
Lesson 8 of 23
Subscribe to watch
For Kathryn, paint is a way to create a canvas upon which you can build out a room. In this lesson she describes how paint is approached in her projects, and how to use it in a way that provides a good foundation for your scheme.
From the Lesson Workbook
Working with Paint
When starting out with paint, I often take colours from my textiles to see how the colours in the room will work together.
- As with fabrics, having a cream base is often useful if I'm feeling unsure.
- If I can't find the perfect colour for a room, I like to experiment and mix colours myself. Once I am happy with the colours I have mixed, I will get them colour matched by a paint shop.
- I like to paint a section of a wall to see how the paint changes and works together with the fabric during different times of the day.
- Pick out architectural features in a separate complimentary colour to your walls.
- Looking at the brand websites of the paint that I am going with is useful.
Discover more:
- Edward Bulmer's site is a great place to explore colours
Get the full workbook, video lessons, and more with a Create Academy subscription.
Subscribe to access the full workbookAlready a member? Sign in to watch
Rated 4.7/5 on Trustpilot
491 reviews
Read moreAbsolutely love Create Academy
Absolutely love Create Academy! The instructors are extremely informative, and it is beautifully filmed. Create Academy is great value for money and plan on renew...
SG
May 31, 2026
Magic in small spaces
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
Carla
May 30, 2026
The best adventure
The best adventure. I like all the courses, but my favorite are both Rita Konig interior design courses and Anna Jones. Excellent!
Karolina Kluczewska
May 20, 2026
Interior and exterior confidence
Create Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of information to dive into and explore new ideas. I'm...
Harvey
Jun 10, 2026
Absolutely love Create Academy
Absolutely love Create Academy! The instructors are extremely informative, and it is beautifully filmed. Create Academy is great value for money and plan on renewing my subscription yearly because there are ...
SG
May 31, 2026
Magic in small spaces
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
Carla
May 30, 2026
Your Instructor
Kathryn M. Ireland
Renowned interior and textile designer. AD Top 20 Most Famous Interior Designers, Elle Decor A-List.
One of the most influential interior designers in the world, Kathryn M. Ireland is known for creating comfortable, down to earth interiors that enhance everyday living. Focusing first on the needs of family life, Kathryn deftly mixes practicality with a considerable dose of effortless cool and unpretentious grandeur. She designs real spaces for real people - as well as creating homes for a cult following of A-listers too. Born and raised in the UK but now based in Los Angeles, Kathryn has also travelled extensively, contributing to her eclectic aesthetic. The author of five books and the designer of her own fabric line, she has been internationally recognised with multiple awards, most recently the 2022 Design Icon Award, and is consistently named as one of Elle Décor's A-List designers.
Access to all courses