Inside artist Cass Danson's imagination-filled home
Step inside artist Cass Danson's colourful, fantastical home and you'll be reminded that growing up doesn't have to be boring.
Mum to Charlie and Lola, Cass has let her creative powers run wild on their walls, which feature nostalgic hand-painted murals that give their rooms a magical quality. But even in the more grown-up spaces, there's plenty of room for colour and joy. From the pink-tiled bathroom to the sunshine-yellow living and dining room, every corner is as delicious as the sorbet colours featured. We caught up with Cass to chat about her vibrant home and our shared love (lockers, of course!)
where joy lives
"I only really got into interiors when we built our first home," Cass tells Mustard. "I kind of held back in our rentals because I knew we'd eventually buy or build, so once we got the keys to our first home, I went all out! After all those years of not being able to touch the walls, I unleashed a colour fury on every one of them." Describing her home style as a mix of eclectic and maximalist, she's not big on rules – but there is one golden rule she always follows. "I want my home to always spark joy," Cass says. "I want it to feel like a place I never want to leave (even though I have to leave!)"
making magic
When we ask Cass about her favourite room in the house, she says it's her daughter Lola's bedroom. Featuring a hand-painted mural by Cass and a cute duo of Poppy and Berry Shortys, it's a space bursting with playfulness and creativity. “It's like a fantasy land," Cass says. "People often ask me, 'Isn't it too overstimulating for a bedroom?' but the answer is no! With all the colours and her garden mural, under the dim light of her lamp at night, it feels like a calming little fairy garden. I end up falling asleep in there most nights. It's a truly magical room."
"I want my home to always spark joy. I want it to feel like a place I never want to leave!"
from brainwave to business
Funnily enough, it was her kids rooms that sparked an idea for a business. She first had the idea to paint murals for her children because "I wanted them to have spaces filled with fun and colourful imagery that would spark their imagination and creativity." The results were an instant hit, but Cass realised they weren't something she would have been able to give her kids if she was still renting. "I thought, why not turn them into removable decals so others can add that same creativity to their homes? Once I got an iPad, that was it — I've been drawing ever since, creating more and more decal designs."
find the negative (space!)
Although she's not afraid to make bold, eclectic choices, Cass has a strategy to help keep things feeling cohesive. "I start by establishing a colour palette and working around a main colour. I try to balance patterns and textures and I also like to include some negative space, usually by leaving some white wall areas untouched to keep the space from feeling too overwhelming."
get the look
If you love Cass' whimsical, retro-inspired style, getting handy with paint could be your next project! "I have a few favourite brands — Mustard being one of them," says Cass, "but I also love buying second-hand and upcycling. It can be hard to find furniture that fits my eclectic, colourful vibe, so I usually find something nice and just paint it!" Of course, when it comes to storage, you'll need a statement locker or three. Cass runs us through her ever-growing collection: "We have the Midi in Charlie's room, which holds blankets, toys, and shoes. There’s the Standard in the playroom that stores all the kids' toys, and I have a Shorty in my studio for art supplies. Lola has a Shorty in her bedroom as a side table, where she keeps her books."
For her most recent project, Cass installed a rainbow of Ledges in Lola's room. "Funny story — I was actually searching everywhere for a colourful shelf for that exact spot in her room, but nothing caught my eye. So, I decided to wait it out. Then, I got a message from my faves at Mustard telling me about the new Ledges, and it was fate! They couldn't be more perfect for the space. We use them to display her favourite books and some of her little special toys and trinkets."
time for change
Part of what makes Cass' home so special is how unique and surprising it is. The only thing you can predict? Nothing stays the same. "I love mixing things up. My home is constantly evolving, which keeps it exciting for the family. It's also a huge creative outlet for me, giving me that dopamine fix!" We can't wait to see what magic Cass creates next.
