Sara Bird - Home for the Soul: Sustainable and thoughtful decorating and design

HOME

for the SOUL

HOME

for the SOUL

SUSTAINABLE AND THOUGHTFUL DECORATING AND DESIGN

SARA BIRD & DAN DUCHARS of The CONTENTed Nest

Senior designer Toni Kay

Senior commissioning editor Annabel Morgan

Location research Jess Walton

Head of production Patricia Harrington

Art director Leslie Harrington

Editorial director Julia Charles

Publisher Cindy Richards

First published in 2020 by

Ryland Peters & Small

2021 Jockeys Fields,

London WC1R 4BW

and

341 East 116th Street

New York, NY 10029

www.rylandpeters.com

Text copyright The CONTENTed Nest 2020

Design and photographs copyright Ryland Peters & Small 2020

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN 978-1-78879-241-7

E-ISBN 978-1-78879-311-7

The authors moral rights have been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library.

Library of Congress CIP data has been applied for.

Printed and bound in China

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Our homes. They invite and welcome, are a space for us to share and enjoy, for making memories. They offer us a backdrop to personalize and are places we call our own. But in todays fast-paced world, where haste and waste often dominate, we seem to be at a tipping point when it comes to how we design, decorate and inhabit our own spaces.

Thankfully, a shift in awareness means we are more mindful about our ecological footprints and how we use the planets resources. Theres a general move towards reducing waste and consumption. Many of us are adopting a slower, more gradual approach to everyday living. And we are realizing that constantly acquiring new stuff and chasing trends doesnt necessarily make for a nurturing, health-giving, happy home.

We wanted to create this book to discover how our homes could be more sustainable and less harmful both to the environment and to us. There are suggestions for choosing all the elements that make up a home, from paint to furniture to display ideas, as well as ideas for simple but appealing craft projects that add quirky decorative touches. We also visit some carefully chosen homes, both large and small, new and old. They are all different but have one thing in common these are personal spaces that offer a glimpse of their owners souls.

We hope the book will inspire you to take a fresh look at your own surroundings. No matter how new or old your home, whether its owned or rented, shared or you live alone, it should speak of your sense of style, your story, your passions and interests. If it does this and manages not to tread too heavily on our planet, then you have truly created a home for your soul.

THE ELEMENTS

PAINT & PALETTES

From the four walls of each room to smaller decorative details and architectural features, our homes provide us with countless opportunities to use paint and colour to add character and atmosphere.

Glossy and fresh or time-worn and weathered, paint has enormous versatility in terms of both appearance and colour. It can be applied to all manner of surfaces and objects for an immediate update, speedily transforming the appearance or mood of a room, a piece of furniture or even just a decorative accessory with only a couple of coats.

Choosing a suitable colour can be more challenging. The right palette can unify difficult spaces and make an interior appear bigger or small than it really is. Colour lends itself to all sorts of visual tricks. Many of the soulful homes in this book boast pale, neutral schemes that provide a backdrop to busy living areas, assorted possessions and decorative details. Others have a dark, moody decor that provides a tranquil, contemplative vibe. Your palette will be a personal decision, but there is ample inspiration here.

Paint is the medium of choice when it comes to upcycling, as it allows us to turn something neglected or unloved into a desirable object. Pieces of furniture found by the side of the road or in charity shops/thrift stores can be given a new lease of life for the price of a can of paint plus a little bit of prep. The results are treasured pieces that have been saved from landfill a satisfying result.

Thankfully eco-friendly paint is now a huge industry. Solvent-free, organic and vegan paints are available and there are even options that can purify the air in our homes. And not only are these paints less harmful, but they have ethical credentials too.

SOFT AND SUBTLE

For a peaceful feel, try blending pale shades for mood-enhancing interiors. Gentle greys, subdued blues and dusty pinks all contribute to a sophisticated pastel scheme.

Colour is not the only way to add interest distressed paint finishes will bring texture to a scheme. Vintage items often have flaking paintwork

this look can be mimicked by a rubbed-back paint finish.

Monochrome schemes are simple and effective, whether they rely on the contrast between black and white or simply adhere to one colour choice. In this kitchen, salvaged louvre shutters retain their original paintwork, which brings interesting texture to the room.