Pretty Pastel Style by Selina Lake

This week I'm reviewing Pretty Pastel Style by Selina Lake, from illustrated lifestyle publishers Ryland Peters & Small and CICO Books. Selina Lake is a freelance interior & lifestyle stylist based in London, and has featured in many magazines and catalogues. Selina is also the author of 'Romantic Style' and best selling 'Homespun Style', both shot with photographer, Debi Treloar. I chose to review this her latest book as I adore pastels and I love Selina's style!

Pretty Pastel Style, decorating interiors with pastel shades is about decorating with pastels in a new modern way. Featuring inspiring homes from around the world, illustrating 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.

The book is split into three main chapters, starting with how to combine the "Elements" of modern pastels, vintage pastels, handmade pastels and simple pastels. In this chapter Selina shows us how modern pops of neon invigorates pastels, layers of chalky hues give depth and how saturated shades mixed with pastels give a sophisticated feel.

The second chapter "Details" Selina covers colour palettes and patterns and shows us how pastels don't need to be girlie or frivolous but can be pale and interesting and superbly versatile, whether you introduce them in bold blocks or simply dotted around for splashes of pretty, witty colour. How furniture and lighting are basic ingredients of any room but as well as being practical they can also be pastel-pretty with a simple coat of paint. How to incorporate pastel fabric from cheerful ginghams, faded chintz or retro repeats and whimsical ways to display flowers. In display and decoration Selina shares ways to display ceramics, sketches and how moving collections around can quickly give your room a new feel.

In the third chapter "Spaces" Selina reveals how pastel shades can be used to bring today's modern interiors to life in spaces for cooking and eating, living and relaxing, sleeping and bathing, children's spaces, creative workspaces and outdoor living! From a chic modern kitchen that has been softened with easy, breezy pretty pastels to living rooms with dusky, cheeky and muted pastel tones that add personality. To softened pretty pastels that create a perfect soothing atmosphere in the bedroom and mellow hues that bring playfulness to the functional space of a bathroom.

Pretty Pastel Style, decorating interiors with pastel shades by Selina Lake is a gorgeous hardback book full of lovely unique, inspiring decorating ideas. At a recommended price of £19.99, I think this hardback book is a great buy as the modern use of pastels in textures, patterns and styles in each room is just so inspirational and is full of beautiful photographs!

Some of my favourite shots:

Display and Decoration

Creative Workspaces

Display and Decoration

Nicky Grace cushions

Craft materials in a creative corner

Please note that my opinions are my own and I am not paid for these reviews (apart from receiving a free book, of course!).

Pretty Pastel Style by Selina Lake is published by Ryland Peters & Small and is available from www.rylandpeters.com

Have a sweet day!