Perfect English by Ros Byam Shaw

Photography by Chris Tubbs,
© Ryland Peters & Small.
Available at www.rylandpeters.com

Open any page of this book and you could probably guess without reading a word that you are looking at an English house...

Featured in The Independent top ten interior design books:

"The 20 houses featured encapsulate a particular look of our times: informal,individual, slightly arty, more country than urban – and often a bit scruffed. This lack of perfection is the appeal."

Susan Crewe, Editor of House & Garden

A look inside the book:

This Norfolk rectory owned by Gilly and Geoff Newberry
is the sort of small English country house that every
reluctant city dweller dreams of. This garden room has
giant lamps converted from antique pots.

Inside a Model Manor: A battered, buttoned Chesterfield
sofa. The leather is original and has acquired a glossy,
mottled patina of age.

A second-hand Aga in a Wiltshire home. Sandblasted
and re-enamelled, it looks as good as new.

English Rose: According to medieval legend the
firstroses, red amd white, burst into bloom at the feet
of aninnocent maiden sentanced to burn at the stake.
A faded rose stands for transience, a worm-eaten rose
corruption.The rose is also the emblem of England, our
favourite garden plant, andone of the most enduring
motifs in English decoration.

An Edwardian feat of plumbing incorporating an
early 'walk-in' shower complete with extra-large
fixed shower head and jets of water from all directions.
The fabric covered walls complete the sense of luxury.

English Country House: The home of Dr John Martin
Robinson. This four poster is hung with Carnah by
Lelievre, lined with Oak Twig by Colefax and Fowler. The
wallpaper is Mayfair by Hamilton Weston.

A dog rests on a sofa in a country house secluded
in a Devon valley

A stately cottage:Double doors open from the drawing
room to the library, a room furnished with comfortable
armchairs and books.

Perfect English is available at www.rylandpeters.com .

Look out for Perfect English Cottage also by Ros Byam Shaw. Published this autumn, it explores 18 inspirational homes that celebrate the best of cottage style in the English countryside.

A fab afternoon was had by everyone...

Yumm...Hummingbird Baker, Heath, ices a cake
while some are already ready for eating...

Add some sprinkles...

Voila!


A fan receives a signed copy and some
secret tips from Tarek

Images © Ryland Peters & Small

Despite the on/off rain showers there was a great turnout to the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook demonstration and signing. One fan travelled all the way from Watford for the day having seen it online. She had already bought 5 copies of the book for her friends, has tried out most of the recipes herself and said she was delighted to meet Tarek who kindly went through her favourite recipe, (the red velvet cupcakes) and wrote down some of his secret tips!

The demonstration went very smoothly (except for the slight hiccup when a funny smell emerged from the oven and on further investigation the team discovered the operating instructions had been left inside on the top shelf and were cooking alongside the cupcakes!) Everyone clapped when Heath iced the first cupcake with an impressive swirl and deft flick of wrist!

The team brought mini cupcakes with them for the crowd to taste which were very popular.

Tarek signed and dedicated lots of books for happy cupcake lovers and all-in-all a fab afternoon was had by everyone. Keep an eye on our website for more Hummingbird events happening soon across London.

Tabby x

Creator of the Hummingbird Bakery, Tarek Malouf, will be at Peter Jones, this Saturday

Tarek Malouf and the Hummingbird Bakery team will be creating their irresistible sweet treats in a live demonstration at Peter Jones , London, on Saturday May 16th at 3pm.

Tarek will also be signing copies of The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook, which has been a Ryland Peters & Small best-seller.

Because of the overwhelming popularity of the book, now on its seventh reprint, we have sold out on our website, www.rylandpeters.com, but we will be getting more copies in June. We will keep you posted!

A peek inside the book



All images copyright © Ryland Peters & Small