Welcome to
The Design Lab -
the interior design studio based in Scarborough,
North Yorkshire
Welcome to The Design Lab, the interior design studio based in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.
We use colour science and space planning principles to help you transform tired and disjointed spaces into practical and beautiful homes.
Our specialised services, Space Lab and Colour Lab, will smooth out your awkward layout and help you curate your perfect colour palette.
If you're overwhelmed by a patchwork of paint samples on your living room wall, tired of banging your hips on the kitchen worktop (or tripping over your spouse), contact us.
You can access our services online, or book an in-person consultation in and around the Scarborough area.
Our services
COLOUR LAB
Who is it for?
Our science-backed Colour Lab service removes the guesswork (the frustration, the endless paint chips and tester pots!) from building a colour scheme.
It’s ideal for homeowners who need to work with fixed finishes like carpets or cabinetry, or existing furniture, artwork or architectural elements. It’s perfect for people who need to resolve ‘clashing’ finishes. It creates a streamlined decision-making process for people living with a wall of paint patches, or drowning in fabric swatches.
A Colour Lab colour scheme provides more than colour advice: it’s about crafting a home that feels intentional, balanced, and deeply personal.
How does it work?
We start by analysing the colour of things you can’t or don’t want to change change – rugs, carpets, cabinets, sofas or precious artwork – and build a harmonious colour scheme from there.
We do that by analysing a colour’s unique place in three-dimensional colour space. Then we plot its mathematical relationship to other colours you want to work with, and build a bespoke and harmonious colour scheme based on our measurements, the mood and style you tell us you want to evoke and of course, what 'looks pretty'.
You can send us samples of any finishes, or have the manufacturer send us samples direct, or we can send you mini a colorimeter device and instruct you how to use it.
If you’re starting from scratch, we’ll use the same set of colour dimensions and the principles of colour psychology to build a scheme that looks and feels the way you want it to feel.
What’s included
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Precise colour measurement: We use cutting-edge tools to measure the colour dimensions of your existing finishes, ensuring every recommendation works perfectly with your space.
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Style assessment: Detailed client analysis enables us to understand your style and needs, and the mood you want to create.
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Bespoke colour report: A curated collection of paint colours, fabrics, and finishes that bring your vision to life.
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Specifications list: A comprehensive list of recommended colours and finishes for you to action.
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One revision: Because we understand that refining the perfect palette might take time.
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Tips and tricks for getting the best out of your design.
What it costs
Every situation is unique, but a typical bespoke colour design costs between £600 and £1,250 depending on complexity.
SPACE LAB
Who is it for?
Space Lab is perfect for people experiencing life transitions or who simply want to optimise the way their space works for all the household.
We can help if :
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Your children have become independent and you want to reclaim your space
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You need an efficient work-from-home solution
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You need a creative space to pursue your hobbies
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Your family has changing lifestyle needs
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You want to improve functionality – or derive aesthetic pleasure from days spent at home
How does it work?
Interior design is more than fluffing cushions. Our science-backed design process transforms your space through a systematic and personalised approach that takes into account design psychology, ergonomics, and spatial optimisation.
Our two-phase assessment gives us a thorough understanding of how you use your home, as well as your budget, wishlist and style, so we know where we need to focus our attention.
Then we tailor a floor plan and furniture layout that works for your unique situation. We offer a complimentary design revision to ensure perfect alignment with your vision, with curated shopping lists and implementation notes where relevant.
The service is both flexible and comprehensive covering initial concept to implementation support. It can be carried out online with optional in-person consultations in the Scarborough area.
What's included
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A 90-minute consultation (virtual or in-person)
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Comprehensive style and functionality assessment
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Ergonomic and spatial efficiency analysis
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Detailed floor plan redesign
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Personalised furniture recommendations
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Curated shopping list
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A complimentary design revision
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Optional follow-up including detail and joinery plans
What it costs
Pricing is based on the complexity and the depth of service you need.
Simple layout changes can be achieved from £600.
Your lab technicians
We're a married couple living a short walk from the cliffs in Scarborough.
We've renovated three properties together.
We've argued over worktops and wall colours, over budgets and bathrooms. We once even moved the same door twice. We learned what happens when you set off without a plan, without professional input, and make too many decisions on the hoof.
In short, we made all the mistakes so you don't have to.
We know the stress of living in a space that doesn't work. And with sound space planning, and the principles of colour science, we can help take the stress out of putting it right.
