Pretty in pastel
Colours are personal. They, like names or scents, carry all kinds of associations – and pastels are no exception. Hear the word ‘pastel’ and you instantly imagine the sugary pink of a little girl’s bedroom. Today, this saccharine vision is only part of the story, because pastels are enjoying an exciting, dynamic revival.
1. Patchwork drawstring bags stitched from floral sheets and tablecloths are fun and inexpensive to make 2. A mismatched set of pretty china cups adds vintage style to a dining table 3. A few wooden boards on the far wall, painted pastel blue and cream, add charisma to this attic
Featuring inspiring homes from around the world, these images illustrate the fresh direction these subtle colours are taking, from rooms painted top to bottom in layers of muted tones, to understated spaces, where soft pastel hues can be found in everything from vintage china to a state-of-the-art oven.
4. Soft pinks and greens give this large living room an intimate feel
For pastels are practical. They are incredibly good at warming up a room and making a small space feel bigger. They are versatile, too, evolving into something more complex and edgy when teamed with other shades, be those fresh whites and off-whites or vibrant neons.
5. An old stool is reinvented by painting the legs yellow and adding a lace design sticky-backed plastic to the seat 6. Distressed paintwork and fine china and embroidered table linen makes for shabby chic 7. A pale cream antique dressing table is home to a collection of tins in faded tones
So ditch the sludgy greys that have dominated the interior landscape in recent years and explore this appealing spectrum. The colours might be familiar, but their effects on a space are often surprising and witty.
8. Accessorise the garden with an imaginative tepee
Whether you use pastels as accents or to cover large areas of wall, they bring just a splash of humour to even the most sensible home.
Pretty Pastel Style by Selina Lake, with words by Joanna Simmons and photography by Catherine Gratwicke, is published by Ryland Peters & Small, priced £19.99. It is available to readers of The Lady for the special price of £17.99 (including p&p). To order, call 01256-302699 and quote the reference GLR 7XE.
1. Patchwork drawstring bags stitched from floral sheets and tablecloths are fun and inexpensive to make 2. A mismatched set of pretty china cups adds vintage style to a dining table 3. A few wooden boards on the far wall, painted pastel blue and cream, add charisma to this attic Featuring inspiring homes from around the world, these images illustrate the fresh direction these subtle colours are taking, from rooms painted top to bottom in layers of muted tones, to understated spaces, where soft pastel hues can be found in everything from vintage china to a state-of-the-art oven.
4. Soft pinks and greens give this large living room an intimate feelFor pastels are practical. They are incredibly good at warming up a room and making a small space feel bigger. They are versatile, too, evolving into something more complex and edgy when teamed with other shades, be those fresh whites and off-whites or vibrant neons.
5. An old stool is reinvented by painting the legs yellow and adding a lace design sticky-backed plastic to the seat 6. Distressed paintwork and fine china and embroidered table linen makes for shabby chic 7. A pale cream antique dressing table is home to a collection of tins in faded tonesSo ditch the sludgy greys that have dominated the interior landscape in recent years and explore this appealing spectrum. The colours might be familiar, but their effects on a space are often surprising and witty.
8. Accessorise the garden with an imaginative tepeeWhether you use pastels as accents or to cover large areas of wall, they bring just a splash of humour to even the most sensible home.
Pretty Pastel Style by Selina Lake, with words by Joanna Simmons and photography by Catherine Gratwicke, is published by Ryland Peters & Small, priced £19.99. It is available to readers of The Lady for the special price of £17.99 (including p&p). To order, call 01256-302699 and quote the reference GLR 7XE.