Perfect English Cottage

by Ros Byam Shaw

9781845979041 - Hardcover.-Expected Arrival Between04/28/2012 and 05/03/2012.-Return Non returnable.

Genres: Nonfiction, Design, Interior Design

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Karli W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I love in home decor/ styling/ living… layers of wood, metal, glass, art, dishes, candles, fabrics, textures, antiques. A beautiful book loaded with inspiration for bringing a little English style into one’s home. I enjoyed thinking through aspects I liked in this book and how I can apply it to my very lived in home in a functional way.

[Sarah Ryburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeous!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful escape - loved hearing the stories about the owners and their homes and furnishings. Can’t wait to visit England

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

While understanding the aesthetic of Cottage, this can be the same trap other period purists have such as mid-century, where their dwelling begin to look like a movie/TV film set rather than a modern interpretation of a living home. The skill in decorating is to bring elements from the past into modern times. Knowing what to keep and what to update. Not until Part Four: Simplicity and then again in Part Five: Elegance, do we see these design notes take shape.

We are in a time when decorating we should find and use what we like, but think more long term. This is why certain homes look as good in 1950 as they do in 2025, and others you can pinpoint the exact year it was decorated, because it is too "on trend."

The author does an excellent job of giving the backstory of these homes and their owners both past and present. A missed opportunity was to photograph more of the gardens as so many owners talked about how the garden was an essential selling point of their cottages.

The solid advice of symmetry in focal points, while embracing architectural asymmetry, working in scale, lighting both natural and manmade, importance of dining, pictures/art sizing and how to display it and finally restraint is a major if not the most important factor.

Overall an interesting read.

[Cherop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with beautiful photos depicting the English Cottage life. The book is divided into several different sections which focus on particular types of cottages in existence. Seeing the photos fills me with cosy feelings.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book with lots of ideas for cottage owners. I loved all the different styles and found the ideas inspiring and comforting.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of nice cottages.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the aesthetic of this book more than the last of hers that I read.

[Donna Cope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about this book, didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. I found some of the cottages beautiful but some of them I wouldn’t personally call cottages.

[Tina Culbertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I requested this book from the library I didn’t know what a treat I was in for. This is gorgeous book.

It’s a large book, giving you full benefit of the elegantly photographed and organized pages. The book is divided into categories such as Romance, Character, Holiday, Elegance and Simplicity. My favorite is under the Romance section in the profile of Literary Legacy.

Not all the beautiful old cottages were as lovely as they are now in their restored state. The author reminds us some of those cottages housed large families who lived in close quarters, one big room, and in squalid conditions. While some of those have been restored many were destroyed, newer buildings put in place keeping the “theme” as close to the time period as they can.

If you like looking at design and the architecture of English cottages, this is definitely a book to acquire. You can get interior design ideas, gardening ideas and more by perusing the photos. I was further educated about the author, Ros Byam Shaw, a Brit living in Devon.

Ms. Shaw is a frequent columnist at The Telegraph. Check out her article HERE about a home in Somerset.

Shaw has also authored many other books such as Perfect English Farmhouse, Old House New Home and Country Escapes. There will be many of her books to give me an English Fix.

[Applehillcottage · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this as much I thought I would or should. This is extreme shabby chic. And it's not the painted cheery cottage decorating style we've come to expect in the U.S. Personally, I liked Shaw's Perfect English Farmhouse better than the cottages. I guess I'm not the kind of person who likes peeling paint on my end tables. Me, I would sand them and refinish/paint them, and phooey on ruining the "antique" value.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always wondered how English cottages looked like inside and this book shows the interiors of cottages along with the quirky corners and low ceilings. I loved the exterior views of design, the gardens and learning about the people who purchase this type of cottage and their collections and design Elements.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the cottages were beautiful, some a little rustic, but most look like you could just move in and get comfortable!

[Leslied · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love her books. They make me want a different house everytime.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I looked at the pictures of this book but did not read the text. The photos were inspiring and well done.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes me want to take up quilting again! Love the home furnishings and may have found my paint colour...just need to see it in real life...