Ten with Tom: YesColours
We sat down with Emma Bestley, Co-Founder of sustainable paint brand, YesColours - innovators of Europe’s first recyclable paint pouch who have recently become a BCorp. Hugely passionate about sustainability, YesColours are on a mission to change the way people decorate for the better.
TR: Tell us about YesColours and how the business started?
EB: YesColours began through a conversation about the leftover paint tins building up in the garage. We were discussing how difficult tins are to dispose of in an environmentally friendly way – currently, over 55 million litres of paint and 14,000 tonnes of tins go to landfill every year and only 2 per cent are ever actually recycled. It’s astonishing. So, we were inspired to create a paint brand that changes the way we decorate for the better. YesColours is benefit driven and puts purpose before profit.
TR: Why is sustainability so important to you and the team at YesColours? How do you implement sustainable practices?
EB: We’ve created Europe’s first recyclable paint pouch. Being hugely passionate about sustainability, we took to reinventing the customer journey, tackling the paint waste issue at the start, rather than the end, and offering paint to our customers in waste saving, fully recyclable packaging.
Ensuring that our paints are free of harmful chemicals with 0% Added VOCs, 0% microplastics, vegan and cruelty free without compromising on quality, vibrancy or colour was a priority.
Our aim is to empower customers that care about the environment to help protect it - rather than putting more tins straight to landfill. We’ve kept sustainability at the heart of how we operate and will continue to do so - from our packaging to our supply chains, our use of raw materials and supporting UK manufacturers. We recently became B Corp certified too, which is testament to our commitment to sustainable practice.
TR: Where do you find creative inspiration?
EB: Everything except trends! We love to explore and discover colours from the world around us, real experiences; whether that's in nature, the food we eat, films we watch, places we want to travel.
For example - our Friendly Lilac was inspired by the 1964 Mary Poppin’s movie. Her magic carpet bag produces a beautiful pair of lilac leather shoes. Interestingly, the film used a lot of purple hues in the cast's clothing which was intrinsically linked to the suffragette themes in the film as the colour purple was one of their mascot colours symbolising loyalty. Colour has such deep rooted connections to history and our own personal experiences, we all have colour stories to share whether you realise it or not.
TR: Why is it important for YesColours to support UK brands and designers?
EB: Collaboration and community are at the heart of what we do. Supporting UK brands and designers lets us celebrate local creativity and craftsmanship while keeping our supply chains sustainable and transparent.
There’s also something really special about combining British design heritage with fresh, forward-thinking ideas. Working with UK brands and designers means we can work alongside or even co-create products that are not only beautiful and responsibly made, but that tell a story - one rooted in purpose, place, and passion.
TR: What has been your proudest design moment?
EB: My proudest design moment has to be developing Electric Blue, which has become our bestseller. It's a colour that feels deeply personal - inspired by my visits to the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech and my long-time fascination with Yves Klein Blue since college. There’s such emotion and vibrancy in that hue; to me, it represents creativity, confidence, and freedom of expression.
The whole Electric Collection became a love letter to the influences that have shaped my creative world — from Memphis-style design and cubist art to vivid moments in nature and the cinematic palettes of cult classics. Think the Oscar-winning The Red Balloon, the surreal Red Room in Twin Peaks, Dali’s Mae West Lips Sofa, and the juicy strawberries we picked on warm summer days in the Sussex countryside.
Seeing all those memories and inspirations distilled into colour and then used by others to bring their own stories to life - has been incredibly special.
TR: What’s your favourite part of your job?
EB: Every day is different. Some days, it's full of video meetings regarding new business and community projects. Other days, I'm in my dungarees developing new colours (paint splattered everywhere!), curating new edits and working with our social media partners.
I'm incredibly lucky that my job is my passion, enabling me to work with colour every day in some shape or form. I enjoy the process of analysing, researching and curating - it's always a thing of bliss and aliveness - we are all surrounded by colour and have so much to learn about it in return.
TR: We love hearing about other people’s interior style. What makes your house a home?
EB: By ignoring trends and layering our home with colour, texture, scent and sound — all the things that reflect who we are. Over the 17 years my husband and I have been together, we’ve collected second-hand pieces that each tell a story. It’s those personal touches, the mix of old and new, that make our space feel truly ours.
Green seems to be a common theme throughout the house but we’ve celebrated varying tones from one end of the spectrum to another. From Vesper pastel green radiators and an RSJ in the kitchen, to bright pea green victoria tiles to a softer pistachio green in our living room.
TR: What’s your favourite place to visit in Sussex?
EB: I have so many lifelong memories of walks around Alfriston — from milestone birthdays at The Star Inn and family dinners at The Wingrove, to my sister’s wedding at St Andrew’s Church and leisurely afternoon teas along the way. There’s such a timeless charm to that part of East Sussex; it always feels like coming home.
I’m also a sucker for a good country pub in the winter — roaring fires, muddy boots, and a glass of red after a long walk. And when I want to reconnect with nature, I head to Knepp Estate — its rewilded landscapes are a beautiful reminder of how nature flourishes when left to its own rhythm
TR: What is your favourite Tom Raffield design? And why?
EB: My favourite is the Drift Pendant from the Comber Lighting Range. As a coastal girl from East Sussex, I always feel most at peace by the sea, and this design captures that feeling perfectly. Its steam-bent form mirrors the organic movement of waves — powerful yet calming — a beautiful reminder of nature’s rhythm and craftsmanship.
TR: What is next for YesColours?
EB: We’ve been quietly working behind the scenes on something that will make exploring colour even more intuitive, inspiring and personal. It’s all about helping people connect more deeply with the shades they love and discover new ones that truly reflect how they want to live and feel.
It’s a project that brings together everything we care about - creativity, storytelling and connection - and we can’t wait to share it later this year. Let’s just say it’s going to make choosing your perfect YesColours shade even more joyful.
Find out more at yescolours.com.
Posted: 13.11.25
Updated: 13.11.25