The Drawing Room: English Country House Decoration

Being a passionate lover of the English country house style, I thought I would love this book unreservedly, but that was not wholly true. The writing is interesting and informative, but in a book of this kind the major pleasure is in looking at the wonderful interiors in all their glory, and therein I was left a little frustrated. It may be the photographer or the vagaries of the English weather, but so many of the rooms were woefully lacking in enough light to properly appreciate the rooms. I would have loved to admire the no doubt outstanding paintings on almost every wall, but in many rooms it was impossible to see them satisfactorily. It must be me since I see that many other reviewers praise the photographer. In retrospect I'm not sorry I bought the book but more adequate lighting would have enhanced my enjoyment tremendously.

If one of your favorite rooms in English country homes is the drawing room, you should enjoy perusing the images, and reading the narration, in this stunning book as it traces the evolution of drawing rooms from centuries ago to the present. Drawing rooms were known as the province of ladies, and as a room to which ladies withdrew from male society after dinner this book informs. The males stayed to drink, and converse, in the more masculine dining rooms until joining the ladies. Another masculine preserve, libraries, were often a counterpoint to the more feminine drawing rooms which were sometimes decorated to resemble gardens with floral prints, light colors and graceful furniture. Afternoon tea, which didn't require servants' continual attendance, was also served in drawing rooms where, without the servants, conversation could flow more privately and freely.The "petticoat influence" emanated from English drawing rooms Julian Fellowes describes in the introduction to this book. As we see in Jane Austen novels, drawing room activities included cards, singing, drawing and - in the case of Elizabeth Bennett - reading books.One amusing remembrance in this book is that of Beverly Nichols recalling 1930's dinners at Polesden Lacey house in Surrey with Winston Churchill in attendance holding forth after dinner: "his 'finest hour' was after dinner, when the ladies had left the table, with more than usually earnest entreaties that we (the men) should not be too long over our port, for they knew with bitter experience that when Winston was at the dinner table with a good cigar in one hand and a better Armagnac in the other, the chances were that they would be left with cavaliers until nearly bedtime, and would have to spend the rest of the evening hissing at each other across acres of Aubusson."Aubusson rugs are some of the many delightful elements in over 30 drawing rooms showcased in this book. Other elements include: carved chimneypieces, family portraits by leading artists of the day, original plasterwork ceilings dating from the 1600's, silk wall hangings and tapestries, gilt-framed mirrors and chinoiserie Chippendale daybeds among others. You will read about the different architects, artisans and decorators who worked on drawing rooms from Robert Adam to William Morris to Nancy Lancaster to John Fowler. The drawing rooms of David Hicks and Veere Grenney are also included.Narrated by Jeremy Musson, former architectural editor at the British journal COUNTRY LIFE, with vibrant photography by Paul Barker and COUNTRY LIFE, you tour the drawing rooms from the following homes arranged by century and read about their storied occupants:THE SIXTEENTH TO EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES:Loseley Park, South Wraxall Manor, Chillingham Castle, Newby Hall, Kedleston Hall, Althorp and BroadlandsTHE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY:Oakly Park, Attingham Park, Renishaw Hall, and Felbrigg HallTHE LATER NINETEENTH CENTURYEastnor Castle, Knebworth, Alnwick Castle, Hutton in the Forest, Madresfield CourtTHE TWENTIETH CENTURYHilles House, Dyrham Park, The Yellow Room of Colefax & Fowler, Deene Park, Lypiatt Park, Cholmondeley Castle and The GroveTHE TIMELESS DRAWING ROOMStanway House, Bradley Court, Wormington Grange, Whithurst House, Aynhoe Park, Thame Park, Knepp Castle and The TempleMusson's narrative draws on letters, memoirs and quotes of individuals who saw these rooms. He describes the history of the homes, the families who lived there and information on the drawing room in particular. Each drawing room has about four large full-page color images devoted to it with a couple of smaller images on details of the rooms. Reading this book is like attending fascinating history lectures with color slides. I learned, for example, that Earl Grey was an actual Prime Minister, and not just a tea. If you can't visit these homes, studying the images of these rooms is immensely satisfying.Next, perhaps Musson and Barker will combine their formidable talents for books on libraries and bedrooms from these historical homes? In the meantime, we will withdraw in our imaginations and to this book, to these welcoming drawing rooms.

Mr. Musson writes great architectural history books! His detail, knowledge, and beautiful pictures, create a great book!

This is an informative, elegantly written and beautifully photographed study of the evolution of the English Country drawing room using examples drawn from a variety of this country's more interesting private homes.

wonderful

What a enjoyable book to read in a lazy afternoon for those who like the English style. It would make a lovely gift for someone. My, these houses in the book are wonderful to view. Just thumbing through the book is a pleasure, if you don't have time to read it all through at one setting. Thanks to Jeremy Musson for all his work on this book for the public to enjoy.

Superb book, lovely photos, a must for any dedicated Anglophile.

Really Nice!!!!!

It was okey, nothing more, nothing less. I loved the books from The House and Garden books of Classical rooms, Romantic rooms and drawing rooms I previously bought through Amazon. Thought this one might be similar, but it wasn's. Big dissapointment I have to say.

The book is a delight for anyone to own, beautifully illustrated, the text makes a good light hearted read, with a wish for more. Do order a copy, you will not be disappointed.

Absolutely lovely book on the English country house drawing rooms containing masses of beautiful photographs both old and new.

Cool

Very nice book with splendid pictures of private classic English country homes.