Perfect English

by Ros Byam Shaw, Chris Tubbs (Photographer)

The English style in interior design is admired and imitated the world over. At its grandest it is a stately home furnished with antiques, but the houses featured in this book are country cottages, farmhouses, townhouses, and apartments. What links them is as much an attitude as a look. The English style of decoration is practical and informal, designed around the inhabitants of the rooms and their lifestyles rather than to awe or impress. These houses are lived in and loved, with interiors that are comfortable, relaxed and not afraid to be pretty. All are perfect in their own way, and all as endearingly English as saying sorry when someone treads on your foot. The book’s chapters―Plain English, English Eccentric, English Rose, English Country House and Classic English―reflect the many and varied facets of English style, and each section ends with pages devoted to suggestions and ideas for furnishing a house in all these versions of English style. At the back of the book, there is also a comprehensive listing of suppliers to help readers create their very own take on perfect English style.

Genres: Interior Design, Nonfiction, Design

192 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2007

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming survey of the variety of English interior decor styles. Even though the photography style looks dated, the homes themselves are not, attesting to the endurance of this design aesthetic.

[Clare Rhoden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that's beautiful to look at, full of decorating ideas ... especially if you have lots of money! I'm reminded of a saying by British gardener extraordinaire Getrude Jekyll who said 'no matter how small your garden, you should include at least three acres of woodland' - admittedly, she was writing about gardening in a 'small country house' rather than what we would call a small garden today. Still.
Lovely to look at. I enjoyed every page, and though I won't be able to apply it, there were some good style maxims, such as 'respect the age of the house - the style of its time'
Hmm, 1940s austere Australian :-)

[Abby Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not read every word of this book but did peruse all of the beautiful pictures. I plan on adding it to my library so I may re-read it and look at the pictures at leisure. I'm developing a minimalist English Cottage look in my home, so this was just wonderful to look through. Just such a beautiful vibe to steep myself in for a few weeks.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely done, but nothing unexpected.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ros Byam Shaw does an excellent job of mixing the truly classic stately English interior with a more contemprary house. The houses featured in this book were chosen well. In addition, the writing in here is better than most design texts! That's a treat! This book illustrates a good way to look at the classic without forgetting the realities of contemporary living.

[Ting · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book because it embodies everything I love about English style. I love the imperfection and comfort. Expensive antiques and heirlooms mixed with used furniture, rugs, and textiles that one can be confident in using and not freak out when the dog takes a nap on them is exactly what I am trying to achieve in my home. It will take years but this book inspires!!

[Gingub Gravette]

escapism at it's finest