“Feel the joy”: get inspired by Bianca’s bedroom makeover

I’ve been through a lot in my bedroom,” says cancer survivor, artist and inspirational Instagrammer Bianca Brown, who has been bravely documenting the journey on her channel @thecancerdiary. “It’s where I contemplated my diagnosis and dealt with round after round of chemotherapy. It got to the stage where I didn’t want my bedroom to represent the difficulties of being a cancer patient anymore and it needed a transformation.” 

That’s where Stacey Solomon, much-loved TV personality and DIY lover, stepped in to help. With her love of pink, Stacey was a natural choice when it came to selecting Dulux Colour of the Year 2024 Ambassador, using this year’s shade Sweet Embrace™ to change both how Bianca’s bedroom looks as well as how it feels for her to come home.

Bianca explains: “Once I was going through treatment, obviously I couldn’t do anything, so it remained white with a really clinical feel. I needed some joy.” Stacey’s response was to “paint all that negativity away” with a scheme that feels positive. Taking inspiration from the Calm palette – launched alongside Dulux Colour of the Year to build confidence and creativity when curating schemes – Bianca worked with Stacey and Dulux creative director Marianne Shillingford to create a sanctuary at her flat in Waterloo, London. 

The scheme is centred around a striking ombré effect behind the bed that combines Sweet Embrace™, Tranquil Dawn, Pea Shoot and Nordic Hills for a soothing nod to nature while a curved backdrop in Nordic Hills frames the TV. Stacey says: “What I love about the ombré effect is that it looks really complicated, but it’s actually just as easy as painting a wall one colour.”

“Working with Stacey and Dulux on my bedroom renovation – and using Sweet Embrace™ on my walls – has totally changed the way I feel about the space,” Bianca reflects. “As an artist, I express myself a lot through colour, and having my bedroom as a canvas has been so much fun! Sweet Embrace™ has allowed me to feel at peace in my own bedroom while showing the influence that even such a delicate colour can have. The ombré effect is particularly soothing to me – it helps me feel grounded as I get into bed every night.”

Marianne adds: “We were really touched by Bianca’s story and were delighted to collaborate with her in the redesign of her bedroom – leaning on her artistic eye and flair for creativity. It’s easy to see why so many people take to the ombré effect. It’s unique and expressive – like leaving a paint fingerprint on a wall. The best part is you decide the colours and how many you want to combine to create a space that’s distinctively yours.”

Bianca concludes: “I can’t stop smiling. It feels lovely. I didn’t realise how much impact colour can have!”

Watch how to recreate an ombré effect in your own room.