The Chromologist

 Fee Greening, a dip pen and ink illustrator, is known for her experimental approach to art, rooted in medieval and Gothic design. Sitting down with Paddy, she reflects on the journey that shaped her distinctive style, from her youthful immersion in Gothic and grunge aesthetics while touring with her partner’s band, to a return to the coast, where the rhythms of nature and the richness of traditional folklore began to leave their mark on her work.Recently, Fee brought her vision to life in her first illustrated book, A Dictionary of Fairies. She talks openly about how embracing creative freedom and prioritising self-expression over conventional “tastefulness” has developed her work in new and exciting ways.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Fee's life hereFollow Fee on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 In this special edition of The Chromologist, Emmy Award–winning writer, activist, and artist Suleika Jaouad reflects on her journey as a best-selling author and the creator of The Isolation Journals, a newsletter and creative community.Suleika shares how colour has played a profound role throughout her life, from her imaginative childhood experiments to her emotional responses to the hospital environments where she has undergone cancer treatment. A three-time cancer survivor, she used colour and imagination to envision her future home, transforming that vision into a personal refuge filled with hope and optimism.Paddy visits Suleika in this realised space to explore her creative use of colour and decoration, from her thoughtfully curated interiors to cherished details like a vintage typewriter gifted by Tom Hanks.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Suleika's life hereFollow Suleika on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie Nickerson, founder of Burnt Fen Flower Farm, is no stranger to vibrant colour. Since establishing the farm in 2019, he has been growing and arranging cheerful, seasonal blooms that capture the joy of British-grown flowers. Yet, as Alfie admits, this path was never part of his original plan. He initially set out simply to grow vegetables as a hobby, with no intention of selling flowers at all.Paddy visits Alfie at Burnt Fen HQ to explore the story behind his unexpected venture and to celebrate the charm of homegrown flowers. Reflecting on his journey, Alfie shares how trading a fast-paced London lifestyle for rural Norfolk has transformed both his outlook and his work, surrounding his days with a new sense of purpose and colour.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Alfie's life hereFollow Alfie on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Butter Wakefield has over fifteen years of experience in designing and creating gardens that are both inspirational and purposeful. Having grown up on a small farm on the East Coast of America, she developed a love for nature and rural landscapes. It was this passion that eventually led her to study gardening in London.Guiding Paddy through her London home, Butter reveals how she has transformed her garden into a sanctuary that evokes the spirit of the countryside. She reflects on how the colours found in her garden have inspired her interiors, and how, following her divorce, she embraced bolder, more expressive hues throughout her home. Colour, she notes, has become a way to express her personality and evolving tastes.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Butter's life hereFollow Butter on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Charlotte Freemantle, Managing Director of the renowned antique dealership Jamb, shares the story behind her enduring passion for interior furnishings. From the reimagining of Aldourie Castle to the styling of her own Georgian townhouse, Charlotte demonstrates an instinctive eye for colour, texture, and balance, seamlessly pairing antiques with complementary textiles to create timeless interiors.In conversation with Paddy, Charlotte reflects on building Jamb alongside her husband, Will Fisher, and on shaping the brand into one celebrated for its distinctive expression of the English Country House aesthetic.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Charlotte's Life hereFollow Charlotte on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Celebrated designer and style icon Pearl Lowe shares her remarkable journey from rock-and-roll frontwoman to country living, where she has cultivated her distinctive vintage-inspired aesthetic. Paddy visits her eclectic Somerset home to explore the characterful property and uncover hidden treasures within her collections of traditional 1920s dresses.Their conversation delves into Pearl’s experiences with addiction, motherhood, and reconnecting with nature, themes that have profoundly shaped her outlook and creative work. Through her story of reinvention, resilience, and artistry, Pearl brings to life a world of colour, nostalgia, and self-expression.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Pearl's life hereFollow Pearl on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Colour expert for Farrow & Ball, Patrick O’Donnell returns with series four of The Chromologist podcast, to explore how colour works in our homes but also how it shapes our identities and life stories. Guests include Pearle Lowe, Alfie Nickeron and Suleika Jaouad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our PRIDE special episode, Patrick O'Donnell sits down with Ben Andrews, an organic farmer from Herefordshire and founding member of Agrespect, a group that aims to tackle LGBTQIA+ discrimination and share positivity, to encourage the agricultural industry to be a more inclusive and diverse environment.While exploring Ben's family farm, the pair discuss his childhood, defined by his grandparents' sofa, a winning foray into rowing and his love for golden hour. From the importance of ecosystems in organic farming, to his passion for river health and bird photography, Ben's story is blossoming with enthusiasm for the great outdoors.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Ben's Life hereFollow Ben on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a special episode to honour World Environment Day, Patrick travels to the South Devon sanctuary of horticulturalist, regenerative grower, and author Poppy OKotcha, whose passion for conscious living and the natural world is truly infectious.Joined by Tony the Tortoise, they tour her verdant garden and dig into memories of her Grandma’s garden, her youth in South Africa, and her transformative career move from modelling to horticulture. From gardening on a London house-boat to cultivating her own patch in South Devon (via a trip to India!), Poppy shares the colours that define her journey so far.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Poppy's Life HereFollow Poppy on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Raymond Blanc, culinary icon, author and hotelier, passionately champions the art of seasonal cooking and creativity in his revered cuisine. Patrick O’Donnell visits his world-renowned restaurant and hotel Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, to learn and dine on Raymond’s journey, philosophy, and the power of colour in cooking. Together they tour the hotel, kitchens, and all-important kitchen gardens, discussing everything from molecular gastronomy to forest sleeping. Along the way, they muse on his mother’s influence in igniting his love for seasonal cooking, his journey from France to England (via a broken jaw!) and how teamwork is an essential ingredient to achieving a vision.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Raymond's Life HereFollow Raymond on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Acclaimed author, journalist, presenter and speaker Candice Brathwaite is no stranger to podcasting. Through her critically acclaimed books, online content and public speaking, she's a passionate advocate for vital discussions of social inclusivity, race and black British motherhood, among many subjects. And her impact encouraging positive change across diversity and representation cannot be understated. From extraordinary role models in childhood to the impact of racism and grief to the transformative birth experience that inspired her first book, her story is threaded with the empowerment, and setbacks, that stemmed from developing her voice as a storyteller.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Candice's Life HereFollow Candice on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Burns, Managing Director of esteemed interior design studio Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler, is a true doyenne of décor. Known for lending her exceptional eye to crafting spaces that are as stylish as they are functional, she invites Patrick O’Donnell to her converted dovecote home to discover her story through colour, accompanied by her pug Dahlia and novelty plastic pigeons. Together they delve into a shared love for muddy shades of nature, childhood memories of Devon skies, the importance of curiosity in interior decorating and the beauty of embracing imperfection. Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Emma's Life HereFollow Emma on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a special episode to mark Earth Day, Patrick O’Donnell travels to the 200-year-old Cornish mill that’s home to Jack Harries; a documentary filmmaker, producer and environmentalist who is passionate about using his platform to tell the stories that matter. Joined by his dog Lyla, they explore the journey from his city-living years, YouTube channel JacksGap and subsequent career in filmmaking, to climate change, environmental activism and his recent move to the calming South West.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Jack's Life HereFollow Jack on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick O’Donnell heads north to the border of the Yorkshire Dales to meet champion of sustainable fashion and BBC Great British Sewing Bee judge Patrick Grant.In his newly painted Farrow & Ball home, the pair discuss their mutual love for Broccoli Brown, childhood memories of muddy adventures and his obsession with nature. They also touch on how fashion has influenced his colour choices, from the Print Room Yellow of ‘80s acid house raves to the blue hues of Savile Row suits.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Patrick's life hereFollow Patrick on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick O'Donnell visits the Cotswolds to sit down with talented florist and author Willow Crossley in her 17th century home. Against this backdrop of colour and creativity, including a mural hand painted in Brassica and Cooking Apple Green, the pair explore everything from nature to her mantra of ‘living life well’. Willow shares the emotions behind her colour choices, from Yellow Ground, reflecting her carefree childhood in Wales, to vibrant Bamboozle, a nod to her youthful days in London. Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Willow's life hereFollow Willow on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick O’Donnell heads into the heart of Somerset to meet Colour Curator, author and the mind behind many of the most iconic Farrow & Ball colours — Joa Studholme. The two reminisce about their shared time at the company, passion for colour and past forays with floristry. Joa also reflects on the impact of her parents on her colourful career, from her mother’s glamorous nature to her father’s perfectly polished cars, which inspired her love for Full Gloss.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Joa's life hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick O’Donnell takes a trip to Dorset to meet first generation farmer, cook and author of The Farm Table — Julius Roberts. Together they take a tour of the farm and Julius describes the deep yellow of a childhood spent digging in the garden, raising baby rabbits and watching his grandmother whisk up delicious family meals. He also reflects on the Bamboozle red of a youth spent working long hours in hot, demanding kitchens as a restaurant chef and on the Pea Green of his defining decade when he bought some pigs and started a farm. Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Julius's life hereFollow Julius on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Interior designer Sheila Bridges, also known as Harlem Toile Girl, talks to Patrick O’Donnell from her home in the Hudson Valley. She describes her fascination with toile de jouy printed fabrics and how she decided to create her own toile, depicting scenes from African American life. Together they explore the pink patterned wallpaper of Sheila’s childhood bedroom, the Oval Room Blue of her defining decade when she started to embrace bold colours, and the soothing grey-lilac of the now, which she describes as soft and calm.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Sheila's life hereFollow Sheila on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author of international best-selling novels ‘When God was a Rabbit’ and ‘Still Life’, Sarah Winman invites Patrick O’Donnell into her flat in London. Together they muse on the vibrant green of childhood football matches on newly cut grass, the deep blue of the mediterranean sea she loved in her youth and the soulful grey of her defining decade, moving to London and coming out as a gay woman.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Sarah's life hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Liu, entrepreneur and co-founder of cutting edge Instagram account Diet Prada which critiques fashion, pop culture, and current events talks with Patrick O’Donnell from New York. Together they discuss the huge influence of the PRADA colour palette on Tony’s life and work. Tony also recalls his first suit in grey at the age of just four and what it symbolised, his passion for green which he associates with a moment of acute shyness during a school photo shoot and his love of pastel colours and the Impressionist painters. Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Tony's Life hereFollow Tony on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.