Will Taylor: painting the town bright

***Rachel Khoo would like to thank all the inspiring people who helped make the Khoollect studio a hive of creativity. Although the Khoollect studio’s doors have now closed, you can keep up with Rachel’s newest adventures on RachelKhoo.com and on Rachel’s Instagram and Facebook pages – and, continue to enjoy the Khoollect website’s stories and recipes, which will remain available.***

When it comes to designing a space — be it in your home, workplace, or a location that serves as both — it’s the small things that can create a big difference to the mood of the room. Not only is Will Taylor the cheerful designer and author behind the hugely popular blog (and namesake bookBright Bazaar, but he is also about to release his new book Dream Decor. A man with a distinctively ‘feel good’ style, in which bright colours reign supreme, Will creates spaces that make you want to smile. We wanted to know where his style stems from. Here’s what he told us:

How did you get into interior design?

I worked part-time in visual merchandising at Habitat while at university, which is where I really started to realise that I loved design. I then decided to start my blog after I graduated to bring together my love of colourful design and writing.

What inspires you?

Travel. For decorating inspiration I love nothing more than experiencing a new-to-me culture: the colours, sights, sounds and textures I see and experience in a new country are often the catalyst for colour, pattern, texture, lighting and accessory inspiration, in a design scheme back at home.

Tell us a little about the new book, Dream Decor

From my work with clients I’ve discovered that people often feel like they know what their dream decor would look like but struggle to pin down the right mix of elements to make it happen in reality. I wanted to write this book to give my readers practical pointers on how to break down decorating styles into individual decorating elements. My goal was to show that no matter where you live you can create a cool, creative and comfortable space to call your own.

Dream Decor

How would you describe your personal design philosophy?

Colourful, collected and calming.

Are you constantly changing your home? 

These days I’m so busy with my work life and exploring my new city (I moved to New York City last year) that I’ve not had as much time to focus on my own home interior as I would like! I do dream of a buying a fixer-upper project to take on so I can design a multiple of my own rooms to live in. One day, hopefully!

What’s been some of your career highlights?

Completing a US book tour for my first book and seeing the title being published in seven different language editions across the world. Also, contributing as a design expert to America’s most-watched morning TV show, Good Morning America, has been an incredible experience!

What’s your favourite colour palette?

Any and all shades of blue, with a splash of faded yellow or cool grey. 

Dream Decor Will Taylor

What do you think makes a great working space?

Somewhere that has plenty of natural light along with a well balanced mix of things to inspire, and those purely for practical purposes. After all, you don’t want a space to be dull, but equally not filled with those useful storage solutions that without could prove to be a roadblock to productivity. You also need room to move.

What’s next for you? Any exciting projects coming up?

I’ve started working as a design expert for American television so I’m busy navigating a new arena of design, which is a lot of fun!

Dream Decor: Styling A Cool, Creative And Comfortable Home, Wherever You Live by Will Taylor, photography by Andrew Boyd, is out 17 May. Published by Jacqui Small (£25). More information can be found here.

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WRITTEN BY:
Sonya Gellert

Sonya Gellert is a contributing writer and associate editor for Khoollect. She lives in Sydney....

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Will Taylor

Find out more

Read Will’s five practical tips for transforming your home office. And, head to Will’s blog Bright.Bazaar to see more of his captivating design work.

Photography by

Andrew Boyd