Living in Style

by Oliver Garnett

What is the difference between the 'Gothic' and 'Gothic Revival' styles? How can you tell an lonic column from a Doric column! To understand the many ways in which the British have decorated and furnished their homes, you must learn the language, which can be baffling to the lay person. Oliver Garnett guides the reader through the complex world of historical styles and ornament, drawing on examples from the unrivalled group of houses now in the care of the National Trust. First, he examines some of the broader stylistic issues: what do we mean by style? How is it created, disseminated, exploited, revived and reinterpreted? He then looks at some of the key 'building blocks' of style-the types of ornament that you will encounter most frequently in a historic building. Finally, he provides thumbnail sketches of the stylistic labels that have traditionally been applied to British interiors, from "Tudor" to "Modern Movement." Many of these labels conceal as much as they reveal, but the way that they have been creatively misunderstood by later designers is all part of the story of style.

Paperback

First published February 1, 2003

Reviews

[Gareth Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly written and beautifully illustrated. this guide to style makes the vocabulary accessible and gives a host of informative examples from the wonderful repository of National Trust properties. As a long-time member of that organisation, I was delighted to have visited and seen so much of the reference material.
A wonderful overview of the evolution of style through the ages in Britain.

[Michael Heath-Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book on period decor in the UK.