Sorry for no post yesterday super early start to an antiques market which was rather disappointing to say the least. Today I am taking my hat off to Brad Ford – interior designer extradinaire. Its pretty tough being a designer – we need to translate a client s wishes full fill wildest dreams but at the same time be true to our own aesthetic. Well I think Brad has nailed it. Ford’s spaces are timeless and beautiful. With particular attention to texture the Ford look is understated but super elegant. The trick to making a home truly personal is to create multiple layers whereby each little nook tells its very own story.
Look at the layers – even though the room is full to the brim with stuff it doesn’t feel at all cluttered or oppressive. Bravo I say
This is beautifully styled – the chair is exquisite and the textures tantalising. Obviously am not a fan of the white walls but then there are very few of us who have converted to the dark side.
Must dash overslept alarm for gym and now exceedingly late for Bluebird
Hi Abigail, can you help me convert to the dark side? When I found your blog a few weeks ago I felt like I had discovered my tribe. I love your dark look so much that I am stunned when I pick up an interiors magazine that ALL the homes are not dark dark dark! I was so sure I was going to do something similar in our very sunny open plan kitchen/dining/lounge, and devastated when I put up a few swatches of blacks/dark greys that they looked hideous – what am I getting wrong?
Couple of thoughts if I were you I would paint a wall its so hard to tell with a small swatch. Also what paints were you using as the higher the cost the paint the more the pigmentation so Farrow & Ball are great. My walls are painted Down Pipe by F&B and I have a large two story glass wall so get alot of light in too and it looks fab. Two more tips the first coat always looks beyond bad you have paint it out twice before judging. As scary as this sounds if all trim such as skirting boards and doors can go the same colour it will create less of a junction to the eye and more a seamless sophisicated pad of fabulousness. Hope that helps
Thank you for replying! I am with you on the trim etc. I live in Sydney, Australia so cant get F&B but am using Porters which seems as though it may be equivalent. Just one last thing – as you seem to get a lot of light like me – what about the finish? Have you gone matt to counter the glare – I think this is more grown up looking but I have 4 kiddies to clean up after…thanks again, I think your work is genius and have not been that inspired by any interiors, ever!!
I have gone matt the trouble with going with a sheen is that the light tends to bounce off it a little too much for my liking and I wanted opulent velvetish type walls. We used to rent out house as a location so there would be 20 people in a time and I have to say it wasn’t too much of a nightmare to patch up now and then. Lucky you living in Australia
ADORE that chair also Abigail…. Trying to work out what it’s covered in… Amazingly beautiful effect. Do you think it’s really worn leather or suede?
hello Abigail.. I just started painting my flat, and I’ve painted the wall dark warm grey, it set everything off so well and am now tempted to paint the whole living area the same shade. I am deciding on taking a lighter shade for the dining area as it doesnt get as much sunlight and it has a dark corner. what is your usual take with differentiating area uses? would you prefer by use of colour or by furnishing? will really appreciate your advice!! love your book and shop by the way, one of my favourite places in the neighbourhood!
Sorry its taken a while to reply frantic days. Personally I would go for the same shade as I fear it will look a little half baked to go for something paler. I have down pipe everywhere and in dark corners and areas you just need to accessorise with lots of lights and some fantastic pops of colour. Hope that helps xx
Hi Abigail,
I have been reading all of your blogs and I adore your fabulous style. I am booked into the master class next Saturday and I cannot wait. This blog refers to painting the dark colours.I am soon choosing paints for. Our open plan kitchen,diner seating area and love the dark ideas with pops of strong colour. he only issue being a north facing area that gets little if any natural light. I have put in great ceiling light on five different zones as well as left plenty of sockets for lots of lamps. Is is feasible to still go this dark colour being north facing.? PS WE have lots of largish glass windows and a glass roof in the dining area.
Thank you. Yes you can totally go dark in north facing rooms don’t listen to the myth about it all being cold and miserable. Here’s a link to my sister’s pad shot a few years ago by the NY Times which is also north facing http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/garden/28britain.html. The trick is plenty of lights which it sounds like you have (not with low energy bulbs though I should say otherwise your room will feel hospital like. Tungsten low wattage will add a beautiful soft glow.