In Bridget Beari Color Rules: A Guide to Choosing and Using Color at Home, noted designer Susan M. Jamieson translates more than three decades of global design expertise into a highly approachable manifesto on the power of color. Known for her refined yet livable interiors at her Bridget Beari studio, Jamieson has long championed color as both an emotional and architectural tool, and here she brings that philosophy to a wider audience.
This is not a purely theoretical design tome. Instead, Jamieson strikes a balance between inspiration and application, demystifying complex ideas such as color theory and psychology while grounding them in real-world decision-making. Her guiding premise is simple yet compelling: Color shapes how we feel, move, and live within our spaces. From that foundation, she walks readers through discovering their personal palette and translating it into rooms that feel both intentional and intuitive.
The book is richly illustrated with hundreds of interiors that showcase Jamieson’s signature layering of hues—never overpowering, always deliberate. These projects are paired with clear graphics and practical frameworks that encourage experimentation without intimidation. Particularly valuable are her insights on proportion and balance: how to amplify architectural strengths, soften less-desirable features, and create cohesion across open-plan spaces.
Color Rules offers the polish of a seasoned designer’s portfolio alongside actionable guidance that empowers homeowners to take risks and then refine them. Jamieson doesn’t prescribe rigid rules; she provides a tool kit, inviting readers to adapt, personalize, and occasionally break convention.
Ultimately, Color Rules is less about decorating and more about creating atmosphere. It’s a confident, visually compelling guide that affirms color as one of the most transformative elements in the home.
