We caught up with Colours of Arley founder Louisa Tratalos, whose signature stripes brought a splash of colour to Rondo at The Hoxton, Holborn this summer. After dressing the tables for our Long Lunch Club with CASA LAWA in her striped tablecloths and napkins, Louisa shares the story behind Colours of Arley, her secrets to throwing a good dinner party, and where she looks for her next dose of design inspiration.
For those who haven’t discovered Colours of Arley yet, tell us a little about yourself and the story behind the brand.
I started Colours of Arley after discovering just how hard it was to find the perfect stripe. At the time, I was working as a photographer, and I loved telling personal stories about people and their homes. I decided to bring that passion to Colours of Arley, offering people bespoke striped fabric and wallpaper, but one that tells their very own story. I love to follow the stripes into the worlds in which they exist and document the people and spaces that I find.
“We encourage people to find colour inspiration in the everyday. London is full of incredible fashion, food, design, architecture so getting lost for the day and people watching is perfect for colour inspiration.“
Your world is unapologetically colourful. Where in London do you go when you need a fresh dose of inspiration?
Inspiration is all around, but you can’t take for granted the amazing museums and galleries we have here in London. I’ve recently had a baby so I just visited the Young V&A, which was amazing. We encourage people to find colour inspiration in the everyday, whether it’s sentimental, like a favourite recipe from your grandma, or a special trip you took. London is full of incredible fashion, food, design, architecture so getting lost for the day and people watching is perfect for colour inspiration.
If you were hosting your dream Long Lunch Club, who’s around the table, what’s on the menu and what’s on the playlist?
I will always say Celine Dion to pretty much any dream question, dream collab, dream person to make a stripe for etc. So let’s have her at the head of the table. Yayoi Kusama would have to be there, she’s sadly just passed away, but I’d love to include her. Nan Goldin would also have an invite. They’re all older than me, but I think it’s important to listen to people with more life experience, something other cultures are better than us at! We’d all be eating delicious pastas and salads, maybe a cheeky lasagne, and definitely tiramisu! Essential. I actually think some Vivaldi would be the perfect backdrop to the conversation.
What’s your hosting philosophy? Are you a meticulous planner, or more of a ‘throw open the door and see what happens’ kind of host?
I’m not the cook in my house, rather the opposite, I’m banned. I normally throw in a fun striped tablecloth or napkins to set the scene though. The philosophy is as long as the food is good and the lighting is right, I think it’s normally the conversation that makes a night.
What’s the best-designed space in London right now?
Our studio on Hackney Road, come see us! And my boyfriend has a book shop next door, ‘Record 28 Books’, that are opposites in design style from us. Ours is colourful and full of texture, while his is white, chrome and black, and really minimal.Â
Finally, what’s one design rule you love breaking?
When people are scared of too much pattern. I absolutely love mix and matching all the stripes and designs and scales.
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