An English Room

I bought this book sight unseen. If your interest is in traditional English interior design and decoration, please save your money! I guess I should have paid more attention to the description and not the title of the book, An English Room, which I feel is actually rather misleading, suggesting to me, at least, a picture book full of English style decoration. Instead, the book deals with notable places (not necessarily rooms) identified by various English personalities, notable for their own reasons, often not related to design or decoration at all. There appears to be a standard format: each personality seems to have four pages devoted to him or her; the first page provides some text about the individual and the place, the second page is a photo of the individual and the third and fourth pages each show a photo of the place. Again, not all these places are actual rooms; some are not. For example, P.D. James' portion (after text on the first page and her photo on the second page) consists of a photo of a landscape with a 19th century tower, followed by another landscape photo. Her portion might very well be meaningful to a P.D. James fan, but of little interest to someone whose focus is English design. Similarly, the Duchess of Norfolk's portion depicts a treehouse in a landscape; the Marquis of Salisbury's pages feature a staircase and tapestry in a stately home. There are several artists whose sections follow a similar format: text on the first page, their photo on the second page and the third and fourth pages devoted to some presumably interesting (not to me, however) aspect of their often starkly unfurnished studio or home (for example, three pairs of shoes on a chair). My least favorite section of this book covers someone named Jill Ritblat and her pool room in her London home; there is virtually nothing within the four walls of the room except for a completely featureless rectangular in-ground pool which presumably can be covered over (as it is in one of the photos) and used as empty space for entertaining. I did enjoy the four pages on Benedict Cumberbatch who chose the Garrick Club Library as his location (as pictured on the cover and in the book). However, don't buy the book, as I did, thinking that his portion is representative of the rest of the book. It is not. I bought the book assuming that was the case and am extremely disappointed. I would most definitely return it, if I could.

Initially you might think that this book is not for everybody, but, the cover is fantastic so it makes a great coffee table book. English actor Benedict Cumberbatch, featured on the cover, is familiar to all Americans from his work in 'Sherlock' and 'Star Trek' among many other roles, so he is instantly recognizable. Some of the people featured may not be familiar at first, but their stories are interesting and worth enjoying. The photography is marvelous and makes for a relaxing thumb-through at the end of the day. You'll surely find something a bit new in these pages as it is not you usual American decorating book! You'll get plenty of inspiration, but perhaps not in the way you expect.

Fabulous book! It's very unusual and the photos of people in their "favorite" rooms is quite interesting. It's a book that falls into no particular category, but is unique and extremely well done. It is now our newest coffee table book and anyone who goes into the living room can't help but pick it up to glance through it - having Mr. Cumberbatch on the cover helps just a little too!

I admit that the cover "GOT" me and the 4 page section where Mr. McDreamey describes his favorite room was not enough, but I loved the photos and essays from all the other notable subjects and their favorite rooms. It is not a "decorating" book, it is really a tribute and a testimony of what it means to have an English room.Beautifully photographed and nicely written, it was defintely worth the price.

The content is lovely but the paperback (which I ordered) is disappointing in the color quality of the pictures. The hardback which I gave away thinking I could replace it had pictures brilliant in color.

Potographs wonderful but very disappointing that ther is no verbiage briefly describing the interiors or exteriors. A real fault that should be corrected before the next printing.

Not really sure what the point is of this book. It is a lavish publication. I would have never paid full price.

A good cultural summary of selected British personalities. Mr. Cumberbatch has a few pages within, as well as the cover picture.

It's a pleasant book to flip through, and possibly works best as a coffee table book. It could do with a bit more content, but it does have pictures and a good couple pages about what makes each person's place of choice special to them. The title may be a tad misleading, as it in fact depicts offices and living rooms as well, but overall, I'm happy with this buy.

A book of book lovers talking about the perfect places to read a book and giving you the will to read books at the place you saw in this book about books.if you don't like books, this book is not for you, if you're a book lover, book tickets for those incredible places and don't forget a good book or bring this book with you.

An exquisite book, beautifully photographed. Much to delight the eye and feed the mind in the most detailed and chilled way ever. And sone intriguing personalities introduce their favourite rooms, and explain why

This books is very beautifully done and all the illustrations have perfect quality. I didn't expect it to be so big, but it is a very beautiful edition especially for those interested in English architecture and design. Unfortunately, there is lee information than I expected but it doesn't spoil the general impression.

This is a complete delight as a coffee table visual-I have bought it twice as a gift for Pals abroad as a lovely gift to remind them of the eclectic Life back home!