Life in Colour with Felicity Watts

Luxurious, timeless and bespoke design defines the craft of Felicity Watts. The Melbourne-based interior designer and director of Watts Studio, knows great design relies on the perfect balance between functionality and style.

She honours traditional elements and applies her elegant, contemporary aesthetic to create stunning spaces. Her portfolio stretches across hospitality, commercial and residential - with each project tailored to the desires of the client to deliver a design to ‘live, work, be’.

We spoke to Felicity about her trend predictions (if you love warmer, more natural tones you’re in luck!), her current projects and ancient Moroccan inspirations.

What do you predict the 2021 colour and trends to be?

This year has seen a shift from predominantly grey toned interiors to the use of warmer tones. Earthy colours such as rust, terracotta and tan are popular with a variety of shades of green as the preferred accent colour. This change in colour trend has also seen people branching outside of the ever-popular grey and white veined marbles to use more travertine, quartzites and granites, which complement the warmer palette. Another popular trend for 2021 is the use of curved and organic shapes in interior design and architecture – radial corners, curved walls, spiral staircases, arches are in high demand.

What are three things that are inspiring you right now?

I have been admiring Jake Arnold Studio’s work of late. Jake Arnold is a LA based interior designer with an array of high-profile clientele. His work is beautiful and timeless.

• Recently, I have been inspired by ancient Moroccan materials and using them in contemporary ways. Tadelakt render, handmade Zellige tiles and carved stone bathware to name a few.

• My third is not design inspiration, but rather lifestyle related. I’ve been finding it hard to switch-off from work throughout lockdown, so I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts and audiobooks in my spare time. I’ll pop my AirPods in while doing housework, going for a walk or getting ready in the morning and I find it helps me to feel refreshed and inspired.

What are you working on at the moment?

We have several beautiful projects that we feel privileged to be working on. We’ve just completed a flagship retail store for a new florist in Camberwell, which we are excited to see launch in the coming months. Of our residential projects, we are currently working on a mix of historical architectural homes around Victoria, which is so exciting. We are renovating a grand Victorian mansion built in the 1860s, we are designing an extension to an Art Deco home in Kew, working on the interior refurbishment of a former retail store built in 1898, which is now a residence in the heart of South Melbourne, and we are just starting a stunning Victorian home in Brighton.

What’s your favourite space in your home? And why?

Our living room would have to be my favourite space. I love nothing more than cuddling up with my family on the sofa and watching a movie.

What influences your personal style, home and lifestyle?

I’d describe my personal style as simple, understated and contemporary. I’m drawn to handmade or handcrafted objects and my home is full of natural timbers and ceramics.

Take a look at Felicity’s impressive work at www.wattsstudio.com.au or follow her Instagram @watts.studio.