Colefax & Fowler: The Best in English Interior Decoration [Paperback]

Chester Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2000

"Chintz in glorious faded colours, curtains meticulously swagged, fringed and tasselled, the most comfortable upholstery and expertly applied paint finishes, all set in timeless interiors and discreetly lit to show off beautiful antiques and paintings. These are the hallmarks of the style developed by Colefax & Fowler in the post-war years and currently more fashionable than ever. This informative and fascinatingly anecdotal book tells the story of the firm's founder, John Fowler, and shows his style evolving through his association with Sibyl Colefax and Nancy Lancaster and later through his work restoring National Trust houses. It describes the expert craftsmanship and technical skills which produce the ageless Colefax & Fowler look and shows examples of their current work in different types of rooms in a wide variety of locations, ranging from Badminton and Sudeley Castle, large and small country houses, to flats and mews houses in London and abroad. Chintz in glorious faded colors, fringed and tasselled curtains for years of fireside comfort: these are the hallmarks of English Country style, developed fifty years ago by the preeminent English design firm Colefax & Fowler. This comfortable and understated elegance is currently more fashionable than ever, and can be found throughout the world. Colefax & Fowler is both a history and pictorial celebration of the enormously influential design firm. A fascinating anecdotal text tells the story of the firm's founder, John Fowler, and shows his association with Sibyl Colefax and Nancy Lancaster and later through his work restoring National Trust houses. In addition, it describes the expert craftsmanship and technical skills behind the firm's internationally acclaimed artistry. Packed with over 260 sumptuous color photographs, Colefax & Fowler is a spectacular source for anyone interested in interior design."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

"Chester Jones was for many years a partner and managing director at Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler Ltd., heading one of six design teams responsible for greatly extending the range and location of the company's clients throughout the 1980's. After studying art and architecture he was a practicing architect for a few years before becoming an interior designer. He now runs his own independent design company."

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch Press; Reprint edition (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821226525
• ISBN-13: 978-0821226520
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #395,181 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Interior Design > Style

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A Few Good Pictures and Several Nice Pieces--", December 6, 2002

By 

sweetmolly (RICHMOND, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Colefax & Fowler: The Best in English Interior Decoration (Paperback)

"And there you are!" says author Chester Jones. That's all you need to set eminent decorators, Colefax and Fowler to work. The "few good pictures" are preferably old masters and the "several nice pieces" should be priceless antiques, but if you aren't already blessed with such bounty, C&F will see to it.

This is a beautiful, delightful book! I bought it used, and it was pristine. There are 264 gorgeous color plates of excellent photography and the prose is a lively mix of C&F history (particularly John Fowler) and description, tips, and information about the homes/castles/estates decorated. There is a wonderful Glossary for those of us who are vernacular-challenged when it comes to elegant decorator terms. I for one was pleased to learn that a "fauteuil" is a "French salon armchair with carved decorations, sometimes gilt."

Put bluntly (which Mr. Jones wouldn't dream of doing), Ms. Colefax provided the money and contacts, and Mr. Fowler provided the inspiration and brains. And contacts were desperately needed for this venture. To achieve casual, elegant nonchalance required great outlays of money not to be had from your everyday man on the street. Colefax and Fowler became expert at the tactful handling of the temperamental, sometimes eccentric foibles of the very rich. If Mr. Jones is any example, I'm sure he would take it right in stride when I announced I'd like less "balance" on the mantel piece please, and I really didn't care much for massive curtains that puddled on the floor.

There are useful tips and diagrams that can be put to use in much more economical settings. For instance, a maxim of Mr. Fowler's was, scale of furniture should be relative to height, not width. In other words, a large low-ceilinged room would not call for big important pieces of furniture where a high-ceilinged room would.

This is a book of which you will never tire. The color schemes, the placements and the sheer beauty will call out to you again and again. A fine investment of your time and pleasure.
-sweetmolly-Amazon Reviewer

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning and Classic Design, August 23, 2000

By 

M. Burkman (Dayton, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Colefax & Fowler: The Best in English Interior Decoration (Paperback)

I bought the original edition of this book over 10 years ago and was blown away by the gorgeous design depicted in page after page of mouth-watering English country house interiors. All these years later, it remains my favorite decorating book, that I constantly refer to for inspiration. The rooms are timeless. Most were created 20-40 years ago, but good classic design does not date. Although the antiques and handprinted wallpapers, etc., are far out of the range of most of us, the sense of comfortable elegance is one to strive for in any home.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The True Meaning of English Country Style, October 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Colefax & Fowler: The Best in English Interior Decoration (Paperback)

No one tops the eye of John Fowler for colour or design. In a world of designers trying desperately to jump English country style few get it right. The distinguished firm of Colefax and Fowler always got it right, as one known Italian-American aristocrat said "The English style is one that few truly comprehend as well as John Fowler did at Colefax and Fowler." Elegant, high style, not mistakenly frilly foolish as many others are, this book highlights the very best of what this regional genre is all about.