Living Textures: A Creative Guide to Combining Colors and Textures in the Home - Hardcover

Sorrell, Katherine

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5 ratings by Goodreads

9780811829502: Living Textures: A Creative Guide to Combining Colors and Textures in the Home

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0811829502 ISBN 13: 9780811829502

Publisher: Chronicle Books, 2001

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Luxurious silks. Rich red stained glass. Natural oak. Burnished brass. Whether it's hushed hues and cool Carrara or dynamic density and vibrant verdigris, contemporary interior design is about texture. The feel of a room is just as important as the look of it, and knowing how to blend the right combination of materials is key to achieving this delicate balance. Living Textures is an inspiring guide to designing a practical and beautiful interior space without the help (and cost) of a decorator. Get the creative juices flowing with two great books in one: a main book filled with expert advice and detailed full-color spreads, and a swatch book of 600 varying textures to choose from. Both books are easily removable—just toss in a tote for quick fabric decisions on the fly or stow both securely together in the case. The two books work jointly in an utterly approachable way to answer the what, where, and most importantly, how of achieving gorgeous results for every room in the house. From walls to sofa to floor, weaving texture and life into a room has never been easier with the help of this one-stop resource for decorating.

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Review:

This bright, inviting volume comes with a removable tablet of "swatches"--picture flaps of various colors and textures stacked in a column and spiral bound. Readers are invited to form their own combinations out of these 600 samples of paint colors, textiles, floor surfaces, and wall coverings. The idea is to encourage readers to think in juxtapositions: a hard surface next to a soft surface, a muted wall next to a bright metallic tabletop. The book itself features guided tours of various remarkable rooms that effectively contrast textures and colors. Each featured room contains a main picture, text describing the room's distinctive qualities, a swatch file detailing the textures and colors present, and close-up shots of various details. Therefore, if a room draws you inside, you can examine its nuances carefully, like taking apart the logic of a math problem. Living Textures is a practical teaching tool and a playful read that won't overwhelm or intimidate the amateur designer. --Emily White

About the Author:

Katherine Sorrell is a London-based writer and features editor of Homes & Gardens magazine in the UK. She has written for numerous newspapers and magazines.

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