Decorating with Blue and White by Gail Abbott

Gail Abbott is an established interior designer, stylist and writer and in her latest book, Decorating with Blue and White, she uses her expertise to bring this fresh combination of colours to life in both classic and contemporary interiors. There are not many colour combinations that are failsafe but blue and white very rarely go wrong. Blue can be a cold colour but used properly and with care, it looks stunning, giving energy to a room.

BLUE AND WHITE THROUGH THE CENTURIES
Looking into history, blue and white has been used together as far back as 1 A.D when blue and white ceiling mosaics were excated in villas at Pompeii. In more recent centuries, this fresh colour combination was found in toiles de Jouy, traditional Delft tiles, fabrics such as gingham and ticking and not forgetting the classic Willow pattern china. Along with the wide range of shades that both blue and white offer, the possibilities are endless.

COASTAL TO JEWEL
Long associated with houses by the sea, Gail Abbott explores both colours' numerous shades, where literally any combination works. The book is divided into chapters by shades of blue - classic, coastal, country, jewel and outdoor blues. Using examples from a beach houses in Cape Town to a farmhouse on the South coast of England and a riad in Marrakech, pick up tips on how to make it work. For interiors that are not awash with sunlight or north facing, use muted blues and gray blues. Treat an area such as a landing by papering the ceiling with a classically styled paper in blue. It's a clever idea and brings interest to a space that is so often ignored and passed by.

Introduce blue into a design scheme by painting the inside of a glass fronted cupboard blue. Pick up on this theme again with an arrangement of blue plates or bottles elsewhere in the room.

COLLECTIONS
The secret of any collection is in the display and Gail Abbott gives advice on how to display china, ceramics, glassware, art and fabrics.

Mark Scott's dazzling photography is a perfect antidote to grey days letting the design concept spring into focus.

Publication details:
Cico Books
£19.99
ISBN 1906094640
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