Flying colours

The wonderful world of colour has opened doors to an absorbing new career for a former Sydney nurse.

By KIRSTY MCKENZIE, photography SUE STUBBS

To most of us, colour is a passing interest, generally noticed only when it’s used badly. But to colour consultant Sue Lenehan, colour is both a precise science and an absorbing career path.

Sue began her working life as a nurse and diverged into sales and marketing for a pharmaceutical company. But at the back of her mind she always knew there must be something more fulfi lling. She’d always had a strong interest in interior design, so when she heard about the Sydney International School of Colour and Design she decided to take a career break and enrol in a year-long course. The experience opened her eyes to the wonderful world of colour and, by the time she went back to work, she was well on her way to forging a new career in that fi eld. She began dabbling in colour consultancy and before long her after-hours job was taking up so much of her time that she took the leap into self-employment. Further studies added to her CV and she began work full time as a consultant, advising on schemes for residential and commercial properties.

“They say there are no rules when it comes to colour,” Sue says. “But the more you learn about it, the more you realise there are some pretty strong guidelines. For example, people imagine that complementary colours are simply colours that go together. In fact, they are colours that are opposite each other on the colour

These pages: This window seat invites you to sit, relax and take it all in; pride of place in the lounge room goes to an 1865 cedar serving table made by John’s great-great grandfather; the kitchen combines modern appliances with a traditional style; flowers and extensive windows create a great sense of connection with the outdoors.

wheel and, when mixed together, they produce a neutral colour (black, grey or white). When you team them together they accentuate each other.”

At the time of this interview Sue worked part time for paint manufacturer Dulux, as well as taking on freelance commissions. Dulux’s colour atlas, bursting with more than 4000 paint options, was her trusted manual. “Each page begins with one of the 48 colours on the wheel and every swatch on that page is either strengthened with black or grey or diluted with white,” she explains. “So all the colours on a page will work well together because they have the same base colour.”

Sue generally advises people to start their colour schemes with the kitchen, particularly if it is open plan, as that should then relate to all the spaces it connects to. She adds that it is impossible to choose precise colour schemes for a

These pages: Sue adheres to the principle of using splashes of colour to enliven a neutral palette. Rugs, throws, cushions, flowers and artworks all have roles to play.

These pages: Sue blends antiques and contemporary furniture with decorative elements for a seemingly effortless finished look; the perfect spot for a breakfast bite; with so many outdoor dining locations, Sue is spoilt for choice. new house until the walls are up and she is able to ascertain precisely how the light falls in each room and how it will aff ect the colours in them.

“Choosing the right colours can be confusing for a novice,” she admits. “It really does pay to give it considerable thought and seek professional advice. And that professional should always paint a signifi cant block of colour on a board, or pin an A4 sheet of card in the colour to the wall so the client can live with the colour for a while and make an informed decision. Paint lasts such a long time and it costs a lot to paint a house. If you don’t get it right, you’re stuck with it.”

At her home on Sydney’s north shore, Sue has opted for a fairly neutral base palette of creams and off -whites and introduces colour through the rugs, paintings and soft furnishings. The home she shares with her telecommunications marketing executive husband, John, was built as a cottage on a large block in 1905 and divided into two semis in 1925. Since Sue and John have lived there, they’ve added a self-contained guest room in a

cabin in the back garden and expanded the living areas by enclosing the verandah that wraps around the house. This has allowed Sue to create a home offi ce on one side of the kitchen and a spacious dining room on the other. Pride of place in the formal lounge goes to an 1865 cedar serving table made by colonial cabinet maker Andrew Lenehan, John’s great-great-grandfather.

Sue says that far from being a random thing, fashions in colour and design are carefully monitored by forecasters who then advise everyone from clothing and makeup manufacturers to architects, builders and designers.

“We’re actually quite predictable,” she says. “When times are good we go for bold statements and lots of bling, so plenty of bright colours and metallics. But at times like now, when things are less certain, we become more muted and restrained. With all the nesting that’s going on, people going back to traditional pursuits such as knitting and cooking, we prefer textured surfaces and a more neutral palette. It’s fascinating, really, how broad the world of colour is once you start looking at it closely.” ACH

These pages: Sue and John enjoy spending time outdoors; flower clippings from the glorious garden; an inviting spot to sit and read.