book review: farrow & ball decorating with colour

 

I have long been a fan of Ryland Peters & Small and CICO Books so you can just imagine how happy I am to be one of their authors (pinch me!). When I got word of their coordinating blog book tours, I instantly raised my hand (or sent an email) for consideration. As you may have noticed (see: Rachel Ashwell book post) my reviews come straight from my gut or my GASP! Today I happily present Farrow & Ball Decorating with Colour by Ros Byam Shaw, published by RPS and available here.

Farrow & Ball is an iconic British brand of wallpaper and paints that have wonderfully poetic names like Borrowed Light, Yellowcake and Mouse's Back. The book's beautiful images by Jan Baldwin and words by Ros Byam Shaw, take you through different architectural styles which serve to highlight how to use color and pattern concepts in your own home. Here are just a few of the many striking images that resonated with me.

For over seven years now I've been wondering what color to (re)paint the shutters of my Cape Cod style home. I love the fresh feel of this Georgian house with it's Green Smoke shutters that "may not be strictly authentic but has the right period feel." Sort of opens my mind about choices for my house.

I really want to paint my stairs and dig the unexpected use of the vivid Eating Room Red against the faded whites. Note to self: Painted floors!

In my house, both upstairs bedrooms have sloping eves and I am smitten with the interplay of colors and pattern shown here. Very fun!

I could go on and on! Images on each page are like magnificent still life paintings -- composed so brilliantly without being over-styled. Farrow & Ball Decorating with Color is fabulous and inspiring without being intimidating and with a range of decor preferences, there is something for every taste. 

Should I have a rating system? How about 5 pots of glitter (out of 5)? A GASP? A swoon? Ideas welcome!

xo

elyse