The three-storey Victorian home in Clapham, south London which she shares with husband Dermot and two young sons, Robert and Hamish, has that kind of easy-going style that looks enviably effortless. In the wrong hands, '60s and '70s prints and furniture could spell disaster . . . but Orla Kiely makes them look contemporary and chic. Having said that, her house has the period architecture that is the perfect backdrop to all those swirls of pattern and bent wood chairs.

The combination of differing eras results in a refreshingly modern look. When the family moved into the house over five years ago, they had to remove acres of wood chip paper from the walls, before giving them white treatment throughout. Kiely's recent shake-up of that previous neutral theme is evident on first stepping through the hall door . . . the white painted staircase now has a cheery orange 'runner' down the centre. Leading-off is the tranquil sitting room, now with soft olive green walls.

"I have to admit that I was getting a little bored with the all-white look. When I decided to introduce colour at first, the rest of the family were unsure and it was a case of 'what IS she doing?' for a while, but the final result found approval. The hall is quite long and narrow, but you can see through to the kitchen beyond so there is plenty of light. An orange stripe along the stairs turns the space into something quite funky and fun. The living room is still quite bright as the olive green is light in tone. It's a room we mostly use in the evening when everyone is back from school or work . . . it's a real chilling-out space."

Smaller touches of colour elsewhere bring a smile, such as a palette of stripes down the inset of a sombre black cast-iron fireplace, or the '50s free-standing kitchen cabinet now painted in lipstick red.

Kiely's flagship fashion and interiors store in Covent Garden showcases her love of a retro look, influenced by the Scandinavian designers of the mid-20th century. Her advice to anyone afraid to embrace a little more colour in the home is just to experiment.

"It's always easy to paint just one wall . . . and paint is such a wonderfully easy decorating tool that you can change it around if you don't like it." For inspiration on coordinating different shades, take a look at retro prints for colour harmonies that work in a surprisingly contemporary way, she adds. Add individual character to your home with pieces picked up while travelling, or even just scouring around street markets and auction rooms (a favourite pastime, chez Kiely). You don't have to spend a fortune on creating a welcoming, funky space either, she adds.

"One day I was driving down a road and I saw this fabulous '60s chair in a skip. I stopped the car immediately and ran into the house to tell my husband to get it. It looks very elegant now in front of the piano."

KIELY'S COLOURS

SITTING ROOM
Walls painted in Dulux Olive green; ref: 60YY28443
Other items: The olive green colour is lightened by bright furniture and accessories, most of which are market buys. The retro blue sofa is from Brick Lane market, while the ceramics on the shelves come from Alfles Market, London. The colour on the fireplace is Dulux White Satinwood Bath. The colourful rug is one of one of Orla's favourite jazzy prints

SHELVED WALLS
Wall painted in Dulux (olive green); ref: 60YY28443 Wall on left by fireplace; Dulux Night Jewels 4

BEDROOM
The wall sized headboard in the bedroom conceals wardrobe space behind it. Painted in Dulux 65BG17353

HALL/STAIRS
The orange stripe on the stairs is Dulux Mexican Mosaic 3 Floorshield