Top Shelf: Summer Color

The fireworks of early spring and first delicate garden palettes have ended. We’re in hazy, deep-blue sky territory now. Juicy blueberry pies, clambake reds, and a holy host of greens. What colors are speaking to you right now? We’re reading up on color combinations this month as we look forward to new pattern releases this summer and fall. Here are a few of our favorite books on this subject!

Japanese artist Sanzo Wada's 6-volume work encompassing color combinations was originally published from 1933-1945. I loved volume one, and recently picked up this next volume. So many interesting color stories and color combinations worth referencing time and time again. Avant-garde and ahead of its time in terms of color theory.

A beautiful reference book. Perfect for the color nerd and the flower lover alike. I particularly like it because it forces my eyes to really see the delightful color nuances of flowers that my brain typically clumps together in the same color categories.  

Before Pantone, there was Werner's Nomenclature of Colours. Highly recommend this book if you're a lover of natural colors or a naturalist yourself. A helpful resource, especially if you're a painter.