Book recommends splashy, vibrant colors

Color, according to designer Susan Sargent, is a surefire way to cure the blues. And one look at Sargent’s handiwork – layers of textures and finishes in a palate of exuberant hues – makes it easy to agree.

An artist, textile designer and weaver, Sargent uses color in unexpected ways to bring a little fun into the house.

She eschews pastels and faded, muddy, shades. Instead she turns up the heat and washes rooms in touches of orange, electric green and vibrant blue.

“Color is not a drug,” Sargent writes, “but color can elevate our mood and fill our senses almost to the point of intoxication.” In the home makeovers photographed for the book, rooms are tipsy with rich jewel-toned walls and fabrics. She decorates in broad strokes and leaves rooms charged with energy.

If you’re considering a change for your home, like saying goodbye to those cold white walls, this could be all the inspiration you need.