Customer Reviews

Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had high hopes for this book. I have over 1000 books, and had preordered this one. However, if I had been able to see it in a store before ordering, I would not have purchased it. It's just "OK", nothing spectacular. I love her other books, but to me this book seems like it was produced simply to fulfill a commitment to the publisher. My advice: LOOK through the book in a store BEFORE buying from Amazon. You may like it enough to purchase. But don't feel like you are missing something great if you DON'T buy it.

Unlike Lady Spencer-Churchill's previous book on Georgian style, this entirely new work also includes houses in the United States in addition to houses in Great Britain. It starts out strong, showing wonderful historic examples including the newly restored interiors of Chiswick, but quickly loses steam with examples of the author's own designs for interiors that are hardly Georgian at all. A number of new houses are shown, including one in Atlanta that is vaguely in the neo-classical Russian taste! The author's decorating skills have improved in the ten or so years since the earlier Georgian book, but still not up to par with the best of either the U.S. or England. The inclusion of bathrooms and kitchens is the main gesture to contemporary living. A good if not great book; take a look before buying if possible.

I purchased this book in order to get ideas for our house. This book was a great starter reference. Keep in mind before buying though, this book shows (wealthy) contemporary houses that have implemented Georgian Style into their designs. It does not so much explain how to apply the style to your own house. We exaimed the details of the houses featured and picked and chose how we would apply it ourselves. Overall, I think it's a great book so long as one doesn't expect a step-by-step or DIY explaination. It has also proved to be a nice coffee-table book and a conversation starter. I would recommend this book.

I love H. Spencer-Churchill's books on interior decorating and this one is extra helpful. Instead of focusing on historical homes that make us drool, this book showcases wonderful rooms and ideas for turning your own home of today into that historical look. What to do with lighting? For the oriental look add tassels, beads and fringes, or lampstands with animal figurines. For the delicate look find draping overhead crystal chandeliers. Who says having a toaster on an old hutch doesn't work? She shows you how to mix and blend for the right look and everyday usefullness you want out of your home, while turning it into what looks like an historical masterpiece. Lots of nice ideas here. I hope she now goes forward and does one for the Victorian period! I had five of her books...this one is getting added to the bookcase, permanently!

Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, is one of the pre-eminent Designers of our day. She has a keen eye for mixing the old and gracious with the new. Her choice of colour pattern in this edition of Georgian Style and Design is superb. Every chapter holds your attention as she gracefully takes you from room to room within the "home" designed for gracious living. This is a wonderful edition and an essential for every designer or home-owner planning on a gracious remodel in the Georgian style.

A lovely look at Georgian design for today's living. Henrietta Spencer-Churchill's impeccable taste is evident through beautiful photographs and the interesting text. Anyone interested in traditional or even transitional interior design would find this book a favorite for their library.

I wanted a book that would be both a visual feast and an education for me because I'm just getting interested in Georgian style. This book did not disappoint.