The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Cool and calm
Pale colours are a key ingredient for a stress-busting home. Take a look at our style guide.
If you’re craving an escape from the heat and stresses of the day, returning home to pale rooms could be the answer. A neutral palette is not only fashionable but visually restful.
“We believe in putting together a relaxed and comfortable home that reflects your own particular lifestyle and personality,” explains stylist Atlanta Bartlett, who is co-author of Pale and Interesting, a guide to soothing interiors.
“A laid-back relaxed look stems from an easy-going attitude and is conjured with neutral tones and clever use of contrast.
“Make it your own by pairing functional with decorative, elegant with casual, handmade with man-made, and old with new.”
Take your pick from a sophisticated “Chic White” scheme or “Shades of Pale”, a fresh interpretation of rustic...
CHIC WHITE
“This simple way of decorating – with a predominantly white palette – creates spaces that feel calm, spacious and uncluttered,” says Atlanta.
“When it comes to furniture and accessories, less is definitely more. Stick to one or two key pieces and allow them plenty of space to breathe so they can speak for themselves.”
“Soften the look with colour for accents and focal points,” she adds.
TIP: In general, smooth, shiny or silky surfaces – such as mirror, lacquer or satin – create a more formal environment.
SHADES OF PALE
This is all about a gentle, pared-back, country-style interior, which celebrates natural textures, tones and upcycling.
“Ensure your home has depth and interest by exploring the use of texture and form,” advises Atlanta.
“Take inspiration from nature’s earthy tones and combine rough with smooth, geometric with organic, and light with dark.”
Recycling and reusing are essential to the Pale and Interesting ethos.
Not only do they lighten the load on the world’s natural resources, but they’re also easy on your pocket and will help you to create an individual one-off style that cannot be bought on the high street.
Think of textures like shades on a paint palette and combine surfaces as you would colours. Bear in mind that heavier, coarser ones, like wood, stone or linen, lend themselves to a more relaxed, rustic look.
TIP: Architectural reclamation companies are a recycler’s dream. Plunder them for pieces such as old shutters, which can be transformed into fitted cupboards; a pile of roof slates can be given a new lease of life as a tabletop; and an old window fitted with mirrored glass could be a stunning centrepiece for a hallway.
Pale and Interesting by Atlanta Bartlett and Dave Coote, photography by Polly Wreford, is published by Ryland Peters and Small, priced £19.99. Available to readers for the special price of £14.99 (inc p&p). Call Macmillan Direct on 01256 302 699 and quote LC3.
Make it your own by pairing functional with decorative, elegant with casual, handmade with manmade and old with new