Charlotte Cosby, the Woman Behind Some of Farrow & Ball's Most Iconic Paint Shades, Shares a Few of Her Favorite Things

In the sea of paint chips out there, it's nothing short of a miracle to create not one (Elephant's Breath), but multiple colors with cult followings. Therein lies the magic of English paint and wallpaper company Farrow & Ball, where Charlotte Cosby, Head of Creative, has lent her vision for the past 13 years. (A recent SNL skit further proved the love is real.)

The Bournemouth-raised mom—of two kids and a tortoise named Julian—finds inspiration in Dorset's coastal beauty, travel, and historic British homes and books: A recent collaboration with London's Natural History Museum, for example, is "a mixture of bright jewel tones, enveloping shades, and enduringly popular neutrals" plucked from the color-classification system Darwin used in his writings.

Cosby's own restrained look ranges, she says, "from French exchange student to accountant." Her philosophy: "I'm a strong believer in following what you like rather than trends, for both fashion and interiors. If you like something, you'll feel comfortable and confident in it."

Ahead, the creative shares a few of her favorite things—from the barely-there beauty products that help her achieve her signature natural look to the bag that carries everything she brings along for the (colorful) ride. Pieces, like a cozy mustard wrap scarf, flattering high-waisted jeans, and a streamlined poplin button-up, from her go-to uniform (a mix of contemporary and vintage) are also included, as are the pencils she uses for designing and note-taking. Her must-haves help her live exactly how she creates—comfortably collected. The goal, in other words: Breathe easy.