Interior designer reveals the colours which took her Georgian home from drab to fab

Interior designer Millie Beer has revealed the carefully curated palette behind the transformation of her Grade II-listed Georgian home, turning a once characterless former doctor’s surgery into a richly layered family house filled with warmth, depth and atmosphere and which is now a lesson in colour drenching with restraint.

Set in the heart of Thaxted, Aldboro House is a handsome Georgian property that was converted in the 1990s but, when Millie and her family first moved in five years ago, lacked the character which might be expected from a period home.

“It was tired and unloved,” says Millie. “The interiors were painted in washed-out sugary tones that completely flattened the character of the house. But beneath all of that, the proportions and symmetry were extraordinary. It had fabulous Georgian bones.”

Having previously worked as a colour consultant for Farrow & Ball, Millie already had a strong instinct for the shades that would bring the property back to life. “Colour underpins every design decision I make,” she explains. “It sets the atmosphere of a home and becomes the foundation for everything else, from materials and textures to furniture and lighting. Renovating our own house gave me the freedom to be braver and more expressive with colour than I perhaps would be for a client.”

The renovation involved significant structural work, including transforming the former doctor’s waiting room into a stunning, vaulted family kitchen. Once the architectural changes were complete, Millie turned her attention to developing a palette that would create flow, cohesion and warmth throughout the house.

“Each shade was carefully chosen to compliment the next, creating a natural flow from room to room while still allowing every space to have its own character” Millie says. “It is this flow which people often forget to consider. Rather than picking colours patchwork, deciding on them by room, it is so important to think about how the spaces lead to each other and the view from one room to the next. The result should be a house which feels connected but with key focus areas or features which draw the eye.”

The result of Millie’s project is a home layered with earthy neutrals and enveloping greens which feel both timeless and contemporary.

Here, Millie reveals the colours behind the transformation:

 
Jitney – Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball’s Jitney is one of those rare neutrals that feels both timeless and cocooning. I love how its subtle red base brings an unexpected warmth to the space, especially as it has in our hallway where natural light is limited. Rather than feeling flat or cold, it creates a soft, welcoming glow that changes beautifully throughout the day. This is one of my go-to neutrals that I use wherever I can if I want to inject a bit of warmth into a space. 

Studio Green – Farrow & Ball

Studio Green is one of my all-time favourite Farrow and Ball colours and here it gives our kitchen such a rich, characterful feel. I love how dramatic it appears in lower light, while still revealing beautiful green undertones during the day. It adds depth and sophistication to the space, making the kitchen feel both cosy and timeless and it is the perfect backdrop to all of our colourful artwork.

Hammock – Little Greene

I chose Little Greene’s Hammock for our bedroom because it has such an effortless softness to it. The muted, earthy tone creates a soothing atmosphere that feels both elegant and lived in, making the room feel instantly more restful. It has a lovely depth that works beautifully in giving the space warmth without ever feeling overpowering. I love waking up to this calming colour every day! 

Light Grey with Mouse’s Back – Farrow & Ball

Using Light Grey alongside Mouse’s Back in the sitting room creates the perfect balance of softness and depth. Light Grey keeps the space feeling calm and airy, while Mouse’s Back adds a grounding warmth that makes the room feel inviting and relaxed. Together, they give the sitting room a layered, lived in feel that’s both elegant and incredibly comfortable and was exactly the feel I wanted to create! 

Mushroom – Little Greene

Little Greene’s Mushroom works beautifully in our family bathroom, bringing a soft warmth that feels both classic and understated. Paired with the Palazzo tiles, the earthy tone enhances the natural texture and pattern of the space, creating a look that feels calm, cohesive and effortlessly timeless.

Aldboro House is on the market with Cheffins in Saffron Walden for £1 million. To view more pictures of the property, please click here

To view Millie’s further projects, please click here