Living with Light – Interior Design Inspiration

Charlie — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 11:45:31 +0000

Living with Light by Gail Abbott

Our new selection of interior design books includes ‘Living with Light’ by Gail Abbott, with stunning photography by Mark Scott. Described as “The perfect companion for anyone wanting to give their home a light and spacious feel” Living with Light guides you in how to decorate the Scandinavian way, using subtle colours, textures and accessories to maximise light.

Light is a highly valued quality in Scandinavia where crisp clear summer days give way to long dark winter days with only low and short-lived periods of natural light. Homes are designed to maximise every shaft of light that enters; making the best use of simple white walls, white bleached floors and minimal window dressings.

The first chapter entitled ‘Light on White’ focuses on a look seen throughout Scandinavia – a look that has developed to maximise every bit of natural light. Rooms featured in this chapter include a bedroom in a Victorian terraced house in London, furnished with simple white bedroom furniture against bright white walls. Living spaces feature white sofas, white wooden floorboards and simple muslin window dressings.

Taking inspiration from nature is a big feature of Scandinavian Style – the Scandinavians love of nature is legendary!!! Many city dwellers escape the stresses of everyday life by heading out to the lakes and mountains of the countryside.

Textures play a big part in the Scandinavian interior design style; serving to add variety and interest to a white interior. Whether paint effects as used in traditionally Swedish country farmhouses, or wooden textured panels, or simply white tonal variations, an all white room is in no way boring!

We think ‘Living with Light’ is an inspirational book whether your home is a cosy cottage, city apartment, or English Country Home.

For more information about home stylist and writer Gail Abbott, visit her website at www.gailabbott.co.uk.

To view more stunning photographic images by lifestyle photographer Mark Scott, visit his website at www.markscottphotography.co.uk

Living with White

Charlie — Thu, 07 May 2009 09:19:26 +0000

Many consider white to be a safe or boring choice for interiors, but here at New England Lifestyle we are not alone in thinking it’s a great starting point for any scheme.

Author of recently published “Living with White” Stylist and white devotee Gail Abbott is passionate about the advantages of using white.

“Pure, fresh and peaceful, a white room can be used as a stylish backdrop to many different types of interior,” she enthuses.

“It’s guaranteed not to go out of fashion, and never looks dated.”

Gail, who visited beautiful white interiors around the world during her research for new book Living With White, believes: “White can be used to make dark rooms look spacious and airy. Dark wooden floors, white painted furniture, the natural textures of a thatched roof, or the aged surface of reclaimed teak – all these can be teamed with white.”

Modern homes that rely on clean lines have long celebrated white.

“With a white base it’s easy to enliven the scheme with flashes of vivid colour, or contrast it with black for a fashionable monochrome effect. White is brilliant blank canvas, but a room does need to be dressed otherwise it can be a blank, featureless space,” Gail adds.

“Consider pairing two different shades of white, add texture in furniture and furnishings, and discreet touches of colour or one vivid coloured feature wall and colour.”

At New England Lifestyle we love white interiors, and are big fans of Gail’s new book, full of tantalizing images and ideas.

Furniture & Interior Design Ideas - New England Lifestyle Blog » Gail Abbott

Living with Light – Interior Design Inspiration

Living with White