Vintage Style

by Cath Kidston

Florals, vintage fabrics and soft pastel colours have taken the fashion world by storm - and all the signs are that this look is set to take over our homes too. After the trend in recent years for neutral, minimalist interiors, this refreshing return to colour, texture and comfort is likely to be embraced in homes everywhere. In VINTAGE STYLE, designer Cath Kidston provides a guide to creating the look throughout your home. The essence of this eclectic style is the combination of beautiful old fabrics and textures with modern comforts. Taking each room in the home, from the Living Room and Kitchen to the Bathroom and Outdoors, Cath Kidston shows how the elements work, from the big picture - wallpaper and paint ideas for walls, floors and woodwork - to the essential details and accessories - from lined storage baskets for the kitchen to fabric-edged antique blankets for the bedroom. Her inspiration is drawn from a broad palette, from the faded beauty of old French wallpapers to the bright patterns of fifties' North American oilcloths and many contemporary sources. Informative captions and text, together with a Practicalities section at the end of each chapter. VINTAGE STYLE transforms the charms of the past into a fresh, contemporary approach to decorating for today.

Genres: Nonfiction, How To, Design, Interior Design

Hardcover

First published September 2, 1999

Reviews

[Lucie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when it was first published in 1999 - I think I sent off for it with a coupon from a Sunday supplement! It was a huge influence on my taste in home decor, and a massive inspiration in terms of creativity and sustainable sewing. It had something incredibly special about it, and I think Cath Kidston had an innate sense of a room being unique and personal- which was lost entirely once her name became a brand. I still look back through this book, and will always treasure it.

[Audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The one thing that I thought would set this book apart from other coffee-table-type books on the subject was that designer Cath Kidston was using her own home to illustrate the design principles she discussed here. Unfortunately, the photographs are largely close-ups, with very few full-room shots. While I did enjoy reading about some of her design decisions, ultimately this book just bored me.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Cath Kidston's books. I enjoy her aesthetic, and her books are always full of eye candy. This one was a bit of a repeat of previous reads - but still good for a half hour of visual pleasure.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good looking book with some interesting ideas, not as in depth as I expected. I love Cath Kidstons style but wanted more from this book than it gave me. worth a look.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed look at Cath Kidston's design inspiration and how she uses her ideas in her own home. If you like CK, you will like this book!

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

A room by room tour of Kidston's house(s), and how she chose to decorate them.

[Celest · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a bit of a guided tour through the author's own home and is subdivided by room. The designs are doable, but not to my taste. The photos only capture narrow angles of each room so that the entire design is not fully conveyed. I felt this falls short of what it could have been.