Decorating With Color and Texture

Bold and exciting looks predominate in this book, which presents tons of great decorating tips. The styles are mainly contemporary, eclectic, classical and traditional. There are not many country, frilly or floral rooms.The book starts showing you dramatic rooms. I loved a bedroom with purple walls, a huge white ball lantern light and a simple bed. I liked a soft yet high-tech looking living room done in several shades of blue and accents of orange as well. Many more examples show how to use contrasting colors that work well together to create dramatic yet harmonious effects. The role of texture in enhancing color and style is then examined. Using fabric, furniture and decorative objects, rooms are completed in several themes including Eastern and modern. In the section on the Eclectic look you see how color and texture are used to pull together diverse items and styles to suit personal taste. Here I found an elegant sitting room with a green velvet couch and animal prints to be quite impressive. I also liked a cozy bedroom with a purple wall and a wrought iron bed.There is an emphasis throughout the book on decorating to satisfy personal taste, style and comfort. Guidance is provided on color schemes to fit different functions and create desired moods. There is a wonderful chapter on bringing the elements of nature into yourhome. The use of natural finishes in woods and fabrics as well as plants and other naturalobjects as decorative accents is employed here. An excellent resource guide is provided. This includes a glossary, a supplier list with web site addresses and directories of designers and photographers. Among many decorating books I have, the emphasis on practicality and livability along with style and creativity make this one of the most useful for me.