March’s Fabulous Purchase: Shades of Grey: Decorating with the most elegant of neutrals by Kate Watson-Smyth
Why did I buy this book?
I’m a big fan of Kate Watson-Smyth, who writes the killer (and multi award winning) blog Mad about the House, and is also an interiors journalist for many big publications. I was delighted when I was browsing her blog a few months ago and saw an announcement of the imminent realise of her book. As the good design junkie I am, I immediately hopped over to Amazon and pre-ordered it. The wait was a killer, let me tell you!
So, what did I think of the book?
In short, I loved it!
The writing is exquisite, the photographs are stunning, and the topic is really fascinating. I realise that when I say the topic is fascinating, many of you will be scratching your heads wondering what on earth I’m on about. This is a book about grey, and we’re talking the colour, not the infamous Christian Grey, so what can be fascinating about that?
To start with, I’m a big fan of grey in interiors and have been using it as the other neutral for over a decade now. It always looks stunning and everything sings when placed in front of it. I’ve become really intrigued with the continued desire for grey in interiors because it shows no sign of dwindling away, so anyone who is going to tell me more about the colour and its applications definitely has my interest.
In the book, Kate Watson-Smyth leads us through a journey about our love of grey and gives great tips for using it. She also covers things like the psychology of colour, and the “green issue” with paints. Peppered between these in-depth topics are insights from some amazing industry leaders and interesting little facts titled “Fancy That!”, which were the bits I loved the most.
As an interior designer who loves to help educate others about my craft, I love a design book that can be picked up by anyone with an interest in interiors, regardless of their level of design education, and feel they have learned more, and with this book, Kate really delivers that to her readers. I finished the book feeling I’d learned a lot and been really enlightened; I also reached the end of the book feeling slightly sad that I had reached the end. Parting is such sweet sorrow!
Would I recommend this book?
Heck Yessss! Quite simply, it’s great and I’m sure it will do really well, which it really deserves to. In my house, it will now proudly displayed it in my lounge and I’m sure will be thumbed through regularly. Thanks Kate Watson –Smyth for a true gem!
