Scandinavian Painted Decor

A breathtaking book, this merger of stunning photographs and sparkling text provides a wonderful introduction to Scandinavia's heritage of painted wood decor. In page after page, Innes ( Paint Magic ) and London photographer George reveal a tradition whose cheery embrace of color and simple patterns is almost irresistibly charming. Offering much more than a classic coffee-table roundup of interiors, Innes strives to convey design within the context of the region's history and culture. From a detailed evaluation of the popular paint formulas used in a range of Scandinavian interiors--Prussian blues, ocher--she goes on to chart the causes contributing to their enduring popularity, as well as to point out their many manifestations. (Light and color, as she explains, have long been viewed as ``spiritual fuel'' by the Scandinavians.) For those long familiar with the topic as well as for newcomers to the field, this text will both instruct and delight with an intriguing feast of color and comment. (Jan.)