A POP OF COLOUR…

If you’ve been looking through our photos, you’ll probably have noticed our love of intelligently designed and well‑made furniture. The right choice, though, doesn’t always have to be high‑end.

We decided we wanted to add a little zing to our basement lightwell area — which, though attractive enough with the planting, was perhaps a little plain. We wanted something fun to contrast with the white walls and greenery, something to spark a little joy.

To gather inspiration, we planned a wander around the city to check out the various cafés and restaurants. In fact, it was a very short trip. Barely 100 steps into our recce, we passed the Jericho Café, which had opened up an outdoor area.

Their furniture was simple, bright and, well, fun. Rest assured, we only stole their inspiration — but they were generous enough to share their supplier contacts with us… and so, just a few days later, a bold red chair‑and‑table set arrived, and it has been cheering up our lightwell ever since.

A pop of colour to make you smile.

There’s something of a metaphor in all of this. Sometimes it just takes a simple addition or change to bring a pop of colour into an otherwise grey day, place or routine. It doesn’t need to be lavish or expensive — in fact, it need not cost money at all. Taking a moment to be thankful, pausing to savour something you might otherwise take for granted, reaching out to a colleague, friend or neighbour with a simple act of kindness — all these things can be transformative.

Whilst in the height of summer, when the basement doors are fully opened, merging indoors and outdoors together, the dappled shade of the lightwell becomes a delightful shelter, we realise the lightwell isn’t going to be the most‑used seating area at Observatory Retreat.

But that’s not the point. Even on the greyest of days, the pop of colour from this simple chair and table doesn’t just bring a lively contrast — it also raises a smile.