Colour with soul: How Avalana created a joyful living space worthy of a ufurnish award

When Avalana Simpson designs a space, it’s never just about paint or pattern. It’s about feeling, atmosphere and story. Her signature use of colour: bold, intentional, and emotionally rich has now landed her a coveted spot on the shortlist for the ufurnish Awards – Best Use of Colour.

And once you see what she’s done with her own home, you’ll understand why. Here she explains all.

A living Room that sparks joy

We’ve been renovating our home and so far the most exciting reveal has been our living room. It’s truly become a reflection of everything I love about colour and design.

I built the space around a flamboyant flamingo mural (Flamingle) that wraps the room in vibrant energy. But I didn’t stop at the walls. I continued the custom design across the ceiling to create a fully immersive atmosphere. Peach accents bring warmth, while a luxurious gold sofa adds glamour and richness. I tied it all together with black and gold details that ground the space and give it contrast.

My philosophy on colour

Designing is never surface-level for me. I’m a wallcovering, mural, and textile designer but I’m also an interior designer who leads with emotion. Every design starts with a sketch, and at the core of it all is a deep and intuitive understanding of colour.

I don’t use colour just to decorate. I use it to transport, to evoke, to tell stories. Every palette I choose is intentional, often drawing from nature, folklore, and dramatic visual narratives. I love using unexpected combinations, because colour, when used with purpose, can completely transform how a space makes you feel.

For me, it’s not about trends. It’s about creating something timeless and emotionally resonant.

Bringing colour to every corner

Beyond my own home, I recently brought a colour-rich transformation to a bedroom space which got a full bloomcore treatment. It features oversized British florals across the walls and ceiling, framed with bold paint, a feathered chandelier, and even a golden door! I filmed the install process and shared it online, and the video ended up going viral with over 1.4 million views on TikTok.

That kind of response reminds me how powerful colour really is.

Why this matters

Being shortlisted for the ufurnish Award is an honour, because it celebrates something I care deeply about. Colour isn’t just a tool, it’s a language and my living room isn’t just a space. It’s a mood, a mindset, a moment and a celebration of how colour can bring a home, and a story, to life.