A boy on his bike
A boy – 13 or so, cycling to school. Arms folded, rucksack flung, damp combed hair and an easy smile. Sitting in traffic I watched him roll through, completely confident in his mode and with flair to spare.
I wondered how long it took him to be gliding instead of wobbling. For the smile to slide in. The bouncing rucksack was slightly concerning but a bit of devil may care keeps our attention focused.
I was driving to a client’s house – a long drive – and like all of us I was listening to a podcast, trying to learn something, think something, feel something. Instead, a boy cycling with his hands free, insouciant, reminded me of home.
What does freewheeling have to do with choosing colours? A lot. To be confident in how you choose to live and decorate is something most of us think about. Some of us are obsessed, some just want a simple container to flex other skills or needs. At most we want to decorate with confidence, at best we want to be comfortable and safe at home. A Fallen Plum library, a Pollen nursery for our baby, a completely white space to start again.
I was in my client’s house for a long time. A lot to look at and think through, but still the same question, whether a large or small space. What will make them feel good, what colours will slide confidence into the life they choose. What hues will slip in the smiles?
I never mastered cycling without hands, but I can make colours and good paint – and I can help people tell their story. Sometimes this is just me, sometimes it’s through the magic of our hand painted paint chart. Very often it is through the Maps of Colour that I created. Instead of suffering a wobbly start, I made the maps so you know where to begin (hands on handles) and know when to riff (hands off). It brings me great joy to hear of your colouring-in adventures.
You can download the maps from our website. Then start either with a colour you are obsessed with or a neutral family to hold it all together. Get confident, then play. Literally hours of fun.
Look mum, no hands!
Cassandra x
