Text by Margaret Zainey Roux
In a world of whites and neutrals, Tricia Guild keeps things colorful. Since the 1970s, the London-based interior designer and Designers Guild founder has leaned on the power of the paintbrush to reimagine rooms and elevate them from blasé to bold. In her 17th book, Paint Box: 45 Palettes for Choosing Color, Texture and Pattern, Guild demystifies the often daunting process of color selection and pattern pairing in a manner that even the most afflicted color-phobes will find comforting.
“Throughout my career, I have met so many people who are overwhelmed by color and are nervous about embracing it in their own homes,” Guild says. “They are unsure of where to start, how to distinguish between tone and shade, how to incorporate patterns and prints, and, ultimately, how to bring all of the elements together. My most passionate goal—both personally and professionally—has been to give people the confidence they need to experiment with color and to live among the textures and patterns that will enrich their lives. I hope that Paint Box will serve as an inspiring resource that will ignite their color sense and enable them to discover just how enjoyable the practice can be.”
Published by Quadrille, the newly released volume includes nearly 200 pages of brilliant photos by James Merrell, but it has more to offer than just pretty pictures. Guild shares mood boards, tried-and-true tips, and a diverse sampling of her favorite palettes pulled from nature, travel, art, and fashion. Most importantly, she invites readers to follow her—not copy her—and supplies them with the tools needed to create spaces that are authentic and all their own.
“I can’t imagine a life without color,” Guild says. “It is a vehicle for self-expression, and the act of choosing it is an instinctive and spontaneous response to my perspective in that given moment. Much of the way that I work with color is dependent upon my immediate reaction to a particular shade or palette—how it makes my heart race, sing, skip a beat. For me, color is much more than just pigment; it’s a way of being.”
