Perfect English Style: Creating rooms that are comfortable, pleasing and timeless
£22.50£42.80 (-47%)
Some styles of decorating have a longer shelf life than others. One of the most durable is English Country Style, which works just as well in a city apartment or suburban home as it does in a rectory or manor house.
We may recognise an interior as archetypally English, but putting a finger on exactly what makes it so can be tricky. One of the strengths of English style is that it isn’t prescriptive. In fact, quite the opposite. It is relaxed, laissez-faire, and endlessly adaptable – all reasons, no doubt, why it has enjoyed such longevity. You know it when you see it, but what are its essential ingredients? In Perfect English Style, Ros Byam Shaw looks at a range of rooms with a strong English feel to them. As it happens, they are all in England, though this is a look that travels the world, still predominantly English in flavour even when spiced with foreign ingredients. Ros explores the main rooms of a house, from hallways to bedrooms, their characteristics and furnishings, and how they achieve that mix of comfort, informality and visual charm that is the hallmark of English style. Ros also homes in on specifics; the qualities of patina, the important role of fabrics and fresh flowers, how to buy, use and include antique and vintage furnishings, and how a collection, whether of pebbles or 18th century glass, adds individuality and character.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Ryland Peters & Small (30 Mar. 2021) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Hardcover | 208 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1788792424 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1788792424 |
| Dimensions | 24.38 x 2.54 x 29.21 cm |
by Amazon Customer
Excellent book for imagining how your own house could be
by Geoff Penderel Whittington
Although some of the photos have been used before, it is still an excellent book.
by Revd C. J. Probert
Ros Byam Shaw’s books are always a beautiful balance of sumptuous photography and thoughtful, well-observed text, and this latest offering is no exception.
Rather than looking at particular houses as examples of style, this book draws on a range of houses with the aim of considering English style itself in more depth. She looks systematically at each room or space in a house in order to offer ideas on how each room might reflect the quirkiness of English style through an eclectic blend of decor and contents. The ideas require flair (and enough space!), rather than the spending of huge amounts of money.
Many will find much to disagree with: all I can say is that ‘her prejudices suit my prejudices’!
by Graeme McCabe
A compilation of her other books with some photos borrowed from others by Ben Pentreath and Nina Campbell. Was looking forward to publication but just a rejigging of her other books. Avoid this book if you have these.
by Val Thorpe
Loved this books which shares some lovely ideas and insight into the potential of sensitive and sympathetic design ideas.
by bramy
A bit disappointed. I have loved all her other books, this is just old photos of poor quality. A lazy complication that is nothing new.
by lucysilver
I dream of refurbishing and painting my Victorian home with all the authentic English style to be found in the pages of Ros Byam Shaw’s fabulous and interestingly written book. The photographs are delectable as always and supply me with so much inspiration. I have other books by Ros Byam Shaw but this is yet another absolutely essential purchase for anyone with an interest in a quintessential English style of interior.
by Henrietta Byrne
I like interior design books because they are full of good ideas and I love to see how others have created their space. This book goes through all the rooms centring on detail. I got a good deal on the book and it was really worth it.