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Secrets of a Quintessential English Home
Learn to design like a native of England with the newest book by British design maven Ros Byam Shaw
A voracious reader of interior design media, I review home decor books.
A voracious reader of interior design media, I review home decor books.... More »
Anglomania rears its head every so often, and we are in one of those moments. Case in point: the London Summer Olympics filling our screens. And of course, Downton Abbey. The popular TV show whipped millions of people around the world into an Anglophiliac frenzy with its soap opera plot line and gorgeous English manor setting.
In between aristocratic mansions and London's ultramodern architecture is the traditional English style that's loved the world over. Fads come and go, but the British approach to decorating never seems to go out of fashion. Perfect English ($40, Ryland Peters & Small) by Ros Byam Shaw, former features editor of the British magazine The World of Interiors, showcases homes that are contemporary yet have that quintessential Britishness about them.
Byam argues that what constitutes British style is a lived-in look that prizes comfort above anything else. Hence, her book focuses on homes that are not professionally designed but instead express the personality of their owners. Divided into five chapters exploring the country's most popular interior design motifs, the book includes practical how-to guides at the end of every chapter for achieving the look.
Get in touch with your inner Anglophile and read on for ideas from Perfect English.
In between aristocratic mansions and London's ultramodern architecture is the traditional English style that's loved the world over. Fads come and go, but the British approach to decorating never seems to go out of fashion. Perfect English ($40, Ryland Peters & Small) by Ros Byam Shaw, former features editor of the British magazine The World of Interiors, showcases homes that are contemporary yet have that quintessential Britishness about them.
Byam argues that what constitutes British style is a lived-in look that prizes comfort above anything else. Hence, her book focuses on homes that are not professionally designed but instead express the personality of their owners. Divided into five chapters exploring the country's most popular interior design motifs, the book includes practical how-to guides at the end of every chapter for achieving the look.
Get in touch with your inner Anglophile and read on for ideas from Perfect English.
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English high style. Not quite Downton Abbey, this dining room is nevertheless classily chic. Antique tableware, a brass chandelier and a porthole mirror exhibit the enduring British affection for history and nostalgia. At the same time, the starkly colored walls provide the room with a modern canvas.
Tip: If you're thinking of replicating this look, don't forget the tchotchkes — clusters of cherished keepsakes are a hallmark of the English home.
Tip: If you're thinking of replicating this look, don't forget the tchotchkes — clusters of cherished keepsakes are a hallmark of the English home.
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The eccentric home. Being an eccentric is a matter of pride in England and this attitude extends to homes. This approach to home design prizes personality — quirks and all — above all else. In this colorful, whimsical dining room, '70s decor meets children's fantasy land, suggesting a creative mind at work. Unconventional touches include curtains made from mohair blankets and a reimagined fireplace decorated with plates and broken china.
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Country cottage. Another frequently exported British look is the country cottage. Normally associated with frilly bed and breakfasts, the style is employed tastefully in this London home. The red and white ensemble of toile-covered sofa and gilt-framed etchings manages to be both crisp and stately.
Tip: Extend the height of a low-back sofa and cover it with cushions for added comfort.
Tip: Extend the height of a low-back sofa and cover it with cushions for added comfort.
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Incorporate nature into your decor. Part of the country cottage look is the liberal use of nature-inspired decor. Instead of the usual floral textiles, make your own mark on the theme by displaying unusual objects, such as the eye-catching butterfly and marine specimens in this dining room.
Tip: Layer fabric on a long dining room table to set a relaxed, rustic scene.
Tip: Layer fabric on a long dining room table to set a relaxed, rustic scene.
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Impeccably tailored. The British also are known for the sartorial perfection of Savile Row suits. The two armchairs in this living room, cleverly upholstered in men's suiting material, are a nod to this heritage. With its unfussy decor and masculine lines, this is clearly the room of a modern-day gentleman.
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English rose. This sweet bedroom captures the romance of a English manor home. To get this look, pair ornate accessories — mirrors, chandeliers and chairs, for example — with antique wood furniture and floral textiles.
Tip: For a genuine English rose room, use antique wallpaper. Many vintage wallpaper retailers now can be found online.
Tip: For a genuine English rose room, use antique wallpaper. Many vintage wallpaper retailers now can be found online.
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Ideabook updated on July 27, 2012.
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I love a cozy, comfortable, colorful room, in a classic country style.
I would love to see more of anything other than contemporary, or mid century.
Thanks so much for featuring this.
In photo #3 above, I don't understand why it's considered a sofa covered in toile. That's a stripe, not toile. There is a toile-covered pillow, but the rest in that picture is stripes and checks.