Living with Light: Decorating the Scandinavian Way [Hardcover]

Gail Abbott (Author), Mark Scott (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2008

Living with Light takes its inspiration from the northern hemisphere, where winters are long and light is at a premium, and techniques have been developed to make the most of every available second. Photographed predominantly in Scandinavia, chapter by chapter, Living with Light

elaborates on creative ideas for decorating the Scandinavian way: soft color radiates spring sunshine, and at night there’s romantic firelight, illuminating decorative details from a porcelain candle-holder to the grain of whitewashed floors. The homes featured here are traditional or crisply contemporary, and some have interpreted the look in a uniquely personal

way, but all are based on the theme of making spaces light and airy.

• The perfect companion for anyone who wants to emulate

Scandinavian style.

• Specially commissioned photography by interiors expert Mark Scott.

* Previously available in hardocver (ISBN 978-1-906094-32-4)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

GAIL ABBOTT is an experienced interior designer,

stylist, and writer. She contributes to interiors magazines and is co-owner of Angel + Blume, the design company.

Her books include Decorating with Blue and White, Living with White, and The Newlyweds’ Guide to Setting Up Home.

   

 

Mark Scott is a location based lifestyle photographer with specialist portfolios in the field of interiors, gardens, food, beauty and travel. He lives in central London but undertakes commissions worldwide and has ten years experience of shooting for clients both at home and abroad.

Regular clients include Homes and Gardens, Marks and Spencer, Ideal Home, The Pier and Debenhams.
email: [e-mail]

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Cico (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1906094322
• ISBN-13: 978-1906094324
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #714,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Light of Inspiration June 1, 2010

By Mary Jo

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

"Living With Light: Decorating the Scandanavian Way" is a beautifully photographed interior design book that features some of the decor ideas that make the most of the Northern light that is so dearly treasured in the short summer months in cottages in Sweden as well as British upscale homes. The materials, color palettes, and rooms are illuminated by the pictures and the minimal text adds some detail to the images. I would have given 5 stars if I had seen some photos of how all this summer-oriented decor worked in other times of the year; it would be very interesting to see how this interior style changes to embrace the darker times of winter and still bring in natural light.

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Giving your home a sense of light, air, and space November 6, 2008

By Jeri Nevermind VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

In Scandinavia, with its long and dark winters, few qualities are a prized in homes as light. The vivid color pictures in this book how light is emphasized, with bleached floors and white walls, white benches, white tablecloths, and glass and mirrors that send light glimmering in the rooms.

Scandinavian decorating emphasizes plain walls and clean lines. They try to bring the outside in pots and vases of flowers.

The pale gold of rattan is sometimes the only color in a room. "Many homes in Sweden have an antique chandelier with crystals that sparkle as they slowly move in the air, but even a single crystal hung at a window will refract any stray beam that comes it ways, often throwing glorious rainbows across the room into the bargain" (p 120).

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful to look at while providing good decorating tips October 2, 2009

By Penmouse TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Not only are the photos beautiful as they capture the heart of Swedish style but they also teach how important light is to this type of decorating. The text that goes along with the photos aptly describes how to accomplish Scandinavian decorating in your home.

A lovely book of coffee table quality anyone would appreciate owning and reading.