Conran on Color

by Terence Conran

Terence Conran shares a lifetime of experience as one of the world's leading designers and retailers to explain how to make the most of color in your home.

Subtle and allusive, bold and invigorating, color is one of the single most powerful elements in design and decoration. Even its absence makes its presence felt. The choice of colors on offer to the home decorator is dazzling and potentially baffling - from coloured saucepans and kitchen appliances to paint and tiles - and color, like never before, is affordable and accessible. Yet handling color effectively does take both confidence and a degree of expertise.

In Conran on Color Terence Conran shares a lifetime of experience as one of the world's leading designers, retailers and restaurateurs to explain how to make the most of this vibrant and dynamic ingredient. With reference to a wide range of sources, from nature and fashion to street markets and works of art, he reveals how to translate such examples into practical strategies for bringing color into your home.

Packed with fascinating detail, sound advice and a wealth of inspiration, the book is illustrated with engaging contemporary interiors from around the world - homes that display a fresh blend of thoughtful design and individual character. As such examples reveal, using color successfully is as much about well-judged accents and focal points as it is in the choice of wall color or floor

Genres: Nonfiction, Design

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 4, 2015

About the author

Sir Terence Conran was educated at Bryanston School, Dorset, and trained as a textile designer at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London. Hand in hand with his much-publicized career as an arbiter of good taste for a whole generation goes a career in cookery and restaurant management. Having learned the basic skills in the kitchens of a two-star Parisian establishment, he opened several small restaurants in London.These were later sold to finance his fast-expanding furniture business, from which grew the hugely successful Habitat stores. No-one has had a greater influence on contemporary living style than Conran. From the outset of his career, in the brilliant era of the '60s, he devoted his talents to interpreting the home-making aspirations of the bright, busy people of his generation - and to providing them with an excellence of craftsmanship and design at a price they could afford.

Reviews

[Aja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I certainly learned some tidbits and this is a book that belongs on any decorator's bookshelf, for the photos alone. However there was a fair amount of pushing of the Conran brand products which is kinda meh. Don't get me wrong, I think Conrad is a product genius (huge fan of Habitat, etc), but if you write a book, write a book ... not a press release.

[Marco Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely illustrated book on colour schemes in residential interiors. Common colour palettes are described in their effect with the help of well-curated photographs that show each particular scheme in application. Blue, orange, green, red, yellow, naturals and neutrals make up the groups that the author takes the reader through. The author describes colour theory and the effects of light and darkness on humans and spaces.

Our perception of colour is influenced by nature and our own experience. We are influenced by colour, psychologically and emotionally. Conran developed his own paint system that resonated with inspiration he found in the natural environment of Britain. Colour can be used as accent, to create focal points or to serve as background.

[Anna Andrienko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Хорошие практические примеры на фото, для вдохновения самое то. Но хотелось бы больше внимания не только интерьеру, но и экстерьеру, предметам искусства итд. Хотя автор просто такой задачи не ставил, тк зона его влияния это интерьерные краски :)

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the best interior photography I've seen in ages. Nothing too trendy or obnoxious, just smart, elegant and delightful.

[Dana Hinman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and beautiful introduction to color. Could have used a few more factoids throughout.

[Robin Tierney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this easy-to-follow mini coffee-table/dream book. Chock full of ideas and smart and often helpful observations about colors, the perception of colors and tones, how the play of light changes perception subtly and sometimes significantly.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is no discussion of purple / violet / lilac except brief mentions of them as accent colors. Also as others have mentioned, it's basically an extended ad for a brand of paint.

[Mary Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the European styles in this title. Different perspectives than most of the U.S. books I typically see.

[Liz De Coster · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit generic but lavishly photographed.

[Pricillia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. It gives basic concepts of colours in interior.

[Meredith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Paint Ad.