Inside the home of: Justin Coakley

Justin Coakley, known to his loyal following as @design_at_nineteen, recently turned his attention to a neglected walk-in wardrobe. What was once a bit of a disorganised, underused space has now been reimagined as calm and considered, brought to life with Dulux Heritage paints.

Justin used Sage Green in the Velvet Matt finish on the ceiling to accentuate the space and add a subtle pop of colour, paired with Mid Umber in Eggshell on the cabinetry and Powder Colour in Velvet Matt on the walls, bringing the whole scheme together. Sage Green on the ceiling lifts the room, while Mid Umber adds a soft, warm feel. Justin couldn't be happier with it.

The star shade: Sage Green

Sage Green is a mid-tone, blue-based green that takes its name from the medicinal herb and cottage garden favourite. Neither too bold nor too retiring, it’s become a modern classic for interiors, complementing all wood tones and sitting comfortably against white or black in both modern and classical homes.

If you love Cotswold-inspired décor, Sage Green is the shade that will help you recreate the look and feel of your favourite corner of England. At once traditional and on-trend, it's a timeless shade that makes a stylish choice for any space – even in the bustling heart of the city.

The power of greens

Harmonious by nature, green is the colour of balance and nature's comfort. Sitting between warm and cool on the spectrum, it has a unique ability to bring harmony to any space without effort or imposition. Naturally restful and easy on the eye, green pairs beautifully with every shade in the spectrum and works in both north- and south-facing rooms. As Justin’s makeover shows, even a walk-in wardrobe can be transformed into something extraordinary when the right green finds its way in.

The Ceiling Moment

Justin applied Sage Green in Velvet Matt to the ceiling. Painting a ceiling in a considered colour pulls the eye upward, creates a sense of intimacy. In Justin’s walk-in wardrobe – a room where wall space is largely taken up by cabinetry – the ceiling becomes the single largest uninterrupted surface. Sage Green here adds depth without drama, and gives the whole space a gentle, enveloping quality that feels calm and considered. The Velvet Matt finish was the natural choice for this application. With its soft-to-touch quality and exceptional depth of colour, it is ideal wherever you want richness without sheen.

Justin’s palette: a colour scheme for love and connection

Justin’s three-colour scheme creates a soft, enveloping feel. It’s a palette that offers warmth, comfort, and connection, making it perfect for any space where you’d want to feel at ease.

Sage Green in Velvet Matt

Applied to the ceiling to lift the room and add a subtle pop of colour, it brings calm without coldness.

Mid Umber in Eggshell

A soft, warm amber tone on the cabinetry. It grounds the cooler green above with a gentle, honeyed note, adding warmth and richness to the space.

Powder Colour in Velvet Matt.

A subtle, warm blush on the walls. Soft enough to let the other colours lead, yet present enough to tie the whole scheme together beautifully.

Two exquisite finishes: Dulux Heritage Velvet Matt & Eggshell

Justin used both of the Dulux Heritage finishes in this project, each chosen specifically for the surface it was applied to.

Dulux Heritage Velvet Matt is a luxury washable matt emulsion formulated with premium quality pigments to guarantee excellent depth of colour. Specially blended clays ensure effortless application and an irresistible soft-to-touch finish – the perfect choice for walls and ceilings where you want richness without any sheen. Justin chose the Velvet Matt finish in Sage Green on the ceiling and in Powder Colour for the walls.

Dulux Heritage Eggshell is formulated to provide a stunningly smooth finish that perfectly complements Dulux Heritage Velvet Matt. Durable and hardwearing, it protects woodwork and metalwork throughout the home, ensuring surfaces remain beautiful for years to come. Justin chose it in Mid Umber for the cabinetry, where the subtle lustre of Eggshell adds just enough finish without competing with the depth of the colours above.

“This project showed just how transformative paint can be. With no natural light, I layered rich, enveloping tones. A sage green ceiling, mid-umber wardrobes, and powder-toned walls, to create a space that feels cocooning and complete. What I found most rewarding was how the palette unified the space and elevated the entire design of the wardrobe.”

— Justin Coakley @design_at_nineteen

Sage Green, Mid Umber and Powder Colour are available now in the Dulux Heritage Velvet Matt and Eggshell finishes.