Charlotte Gaisford's Decorating Cookbook

Decorating a house can feel overwhelming. With so many choices, it’s often hard to know where to start. I created this book to make the process simple, inspiring, and enjoyable.

The idea behind Charlotte Gaisford’s Decorating Cookbook is just like a traditional cookbook — each room scheme is presented as a recipe, complete with all the ingredients you need to decorate with confidence. You can follow the whole scheme or simply pick out the elements you love.

Throughout the book, I share my favourite decorating tips to make you think differently, dispel common myths, and bring more fun to the process. I’ve also included an illustrated guide to choosing paint colours based on your room’s aspect, helping you understand how light affects both colour and mood.

I’ve designed this book around my wallpapers, using them as the starting point for each room scheme. From there, I’ve carefully chosen three fabrics to complement each wallpaper. These fabrics work beautifully together or can be used individually. To add even more flexibility, I’ve included plain fabrics that help break up a scheme and showcase the printed designs. They’re also perfect for making piping and trimmings — those small finishing touches that make a space feel complete.

I’ve also selected paint colours to work with each scheme. Rather than matching exactly, these shades are chosen to complement the wallpapers and fabrics. They can be used on walls, ceilings, woodwork, or even furniture, helping you create a coordinated, layered look throughout your home.

Every image in this book is an authentic scan of my real wallpapers, fabrics, and paint swatches — there are no digital mock-ups. This way, you can see the true relationship between colours, patterns, and textures, just as you would in your own home.

I also share my background and the story behind my business, along with the reason I wrote this book — my customers are always asking for help choosing paint colours, fabrics, and schemes to match their wallpaper.

My book is original, unique, and authentic, a practical and inspiring guide to help you decorate with confidence. Whether you’re starting from scratch or adding the finishing touches, it gives you everything you need to create a home you truly love.