Pale & Interesting: Decorating with whites, pastels and neutrals for a warm and welcoming home

by Atlanta Bartlett, David Coote

In Pale & Interesting, stylist Atlanta Bartlett and designer Dave Coote reveal their passion for decorating with a muted palette of subtle shades, resulting in a stylish yet comfortable home.

In Pale & Interesting, stylist Atlanta Bartlett and designer Dave Coote reveal their passion for decorating with a muted palette of subtle shades, resulting in a stylish yet comfortable home.

Atlanta and Dave start by taking a look at the design philosophy behind the look, breaking it down into three simple mantras: Keep it Simple, Keep it Relaxed, and Keep it Real. Next, in Putting It All Together, they map out all the key elements of the Pale & Interesting look: Shades of Pale; Texture & Form; Mixing it Up; Waste Not, Want Not; and Collecting. Finally, in The Rooms, they take us on a tour throughout the home, revealing how easy and enjoyable it is to live with chalky pastels, earthy natural tones, understated neutrals, and muted vintage shades. They also demonstrate how these soothing shades can provide the perfect (and surprisingly practical) backdrop to busy family life.

Pale & Interesting shows how to tap into the look and draw on your own individual taste to create a fresh, light, and airy home that’s a joy to live in, every single day.

Genres: Nonfiction, Design, Interior Design

160 pages, Hardcover

First published March 10, 2011

Reviews

[Sam (Hissing Potatoes)]

2.5 stars. Yet another book that doesn't advertise itself as vintage but 100% is. *sigh* I know vintage isn't for me and wouldn't pick up these books if they advertised themselves appropriately.

I genuinely don't understand the appeal of the many examples of rusting/peeling/torn items looking like they've barely survived a nuclear war being passed off as homey decor.

For anyone interested in that style, though, this book is great because it does focus on using pale colors and limited accents to their full advantage, and it has tons of pictorial examples with captions that actually explain the decor depicted. Though it's not at all my style, the book is put together well.

[Marcy Graybill]

I'm turning into my Mother, I spent the entire book thinking how much work it would be to keep those rooms clean!!!

[Shallowreader VaVeros]

I just want the pillow on the cover.

[Chai7]

good inspiration

[IE]

I think this book is quite vintage-minimalist, personally I’m more of a vintage-maximalist!

[Anna]

I was disappointed by the mixture of classic and modern in "Modern Country" but "Pale and Interesting" handles the combining of flea market finds and sleek lines of spartan furnishings well. Their philosophy in chapters such as "Keep It Simple, Keep It Relaxed;" "Keep It Real;" "Waste Not, Want Not;" and "Collecting" come together artfully and aesthetically pleasing in the rooms featured in this book. Definitely, this book was more useful in its advice on how to be your own curator and how to de-clutter by cleverly displaying your treasured possessions. My decorating is definitely evolving into a muted and monochromatic color scheme.

[Deni]

Exactly what the title promises.

[Relyn]

Talk about some incredible eye candy! WOW!

[Jennie]

Not a page or piece of furniture that I wouldn't want in my home. Going to buy this one ASAP! Check it out. Great matings in texture and minimalisim.

[Brie Peters]

inspiring. love the various textures.

[Nola]

Once again nearly the same photographs and rooms of all her other books, I like her style but need to see homes that are not her home.

[Shelley]

This is one of the best home decorating books out there. I read it over and over again. This book contains simple yet beautiful ideas for your home. There is something for everyone in this book.

[Eleanor]

This book was lovely to look at.

[Jennie]

Lovely ideas for decorating using personal items and beautiful colours.