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Rating: 
Summary: "A Few Good Pictures and Several Nice Pieces--"
Review: "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
Rating:
Summary: "A Few Good Pictures and Several Nice Pieces--"
Review: "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
Rating:
Summary: Colfax & Fowler: The Best in English Interior Decoration
Review: As an avid reader, user, and collector of books in the areas of art, design, architecture, and history, I found this book to be invaluable. It contains interesting references to the history of the firm, Colfax & Fowler, its growth and development, and its influence on design for the last five decades. The over 200 vivid pictures are wonderful. This book is a must for anyone interested in design, history, and in need of incredible visual stimulation.
Rating:
Summary: The True Meaning of English Country Style
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning and Classic Design
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: The True Meaning of English Country Style
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Timeless English Country with a irreverent twist
Review: The color photos of many completed projects done decades ago still resonate as the top in English design. Lovely traditional chintzes coupled with good furniture and pictures are the usual ingredients yet seeing the old photos of Nancy Lancaster's and Roger Banks-Pye's designs, one is reminded that these rooms are timless. Clearly, Colefax and Fowler is the benchmark for English Decoration. The book does a fine job with both an overview and exploring specific areas (such as soft furnishings or the bedroom). A must for designers.
Rating:
Summary: Timeless English Country with a irreverent twist
Review: The color photos of many completed projects done decades ago still resonate as the top in English design. Lovely traditional chintzes coupled with good furniture and pictures are the usual ingredients yet seeing the old photos of Nancy Lancaster's and Roger Banks-Pye's designs, one is reminded that these rooms are timless. Clearly, Colefax and Fowler is the benchmark for English Decoration. The book does a fine job with both an overview and exploring specific areas (such as soft furnishings or the bedroom). A must for designers.
Rating:
Summary: Colefax and Fowler, Classic English Traditional Design
Review: The grace and epitome of what we all have come to know and love as "English Country House Style". This book begins with the very beginning of Colefax and Fowler, and documents the evolution of "the look". Many wonderful color photos and sketches to refer to as well as beautifully written descriptions as to what makes this all work. While we may not be able to live in such grand houses, many of the concepts and designs work as well in contemporary and smaller settings. There is something for every one in this book, very desirable!!
Rating:
Summary: Colefax and Fowler, Classic English Traditional Design
Review: The grace and epitome of what we all have come to know and love as "English Country House Style". This book begins with the very beginning of Colefax and Fowler, and documents the evolution of "the look". Many wonderful color photos and sketches to refer to as well as beautifully written descriptions as to what makes this all work. While we may not be able to live in such grand houses, many of the concepts and designs work as well in contemporary and smaller settings. There is something for every one in this book, very desirable!!
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