Thursday, 18 June 2009

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.




4 comments:

  1. Saw this book today in Frankfurt. Absolutely Lovely!!!!

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  2. I love every single book you produce.
    And what I discover? you have a blog!!
    what a christmas present!

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  3. When will we have the next book? I can't get enough. It takes me back to our holiday in the Lake District

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  4. This is a nice place to live. I like very much these photos and the others. Very creative. Your blog is amazing.

    house for sale Philippines

    ReplyDelete