Five years ago, I posted a tweet that I thought would quietly disappear into the internet.
“Nobody asked me to create a Birmingham colour palette but I think the city deserves one so here it is. My gift to you all.”
I wasn’t launching a product or testing an idea. I just wanted to celebrate Birmingham in the way I knew how; through colour, nostalgia and design.
The response was unexpected. The tweet was shared thousands of times. People messaged to say it reminded them of home, or growing up, or a version of the city they recognised. Then came the question I hadn’t anticipated: could they buy it?
That moment set off a chain reaction. One print became another. Then came e-commerce, packaging, postage, commissions and collaborations - most of it learned by doing. Without ever intending to, I’d started a company.
That tweet became The Colour Palette Company. Our work now hangs in homes, offices, museums, shops and public buildings across the UK and around the world. We’ve partnered with cultural institutions and retailers, and created large-scale public art for spaces used by thousands of people every day.
What matters most to me is the trust people have placed in the work. Thousands of customers have bought one of our gifts. Organisations have invited us into their buildings. Communities have seen their places reflected back to them through colour.
None of this was planned. All of it is appreciated.
As we reach five years, I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone who has supported the journey so far. We’re incredibly proud of what’s been built, and there’s lots of news coming soon about what the next five years will bring.
Stacey Barnfield