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An English Room
This collection of exquisite photographs and illuminating writings invites readers into the favorite rooms of some of England's most revered celebrities. Everyone has a treasured place to read, study, work, and dream--but there's something special about an English room. In this handsome volume filled with perceptive photographs, some of England's most renowned figures share their favorite spaces and their personal musings about Englishness and English rooms. Benedict Cumberbatch reveals his favorite place to read a script; Jeanette Winterson describes why she adores the Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris; P. D. James discusses the inspiration for her novel The Black Tower; and fashion designer Paul Smith contemplates the joys of his book-lined study. Gilbert & George invite you into their Queen Anne house, while Alan Bennett explains his rumpled existence in Primrose Hill. Derry Moore's discerning eye captures the essence of the English room, whether in a country cottage, large estate, ancient chapel, or artist studio at home or abroad. All those with a passion for English culture, society, design, and fashion will take pleasure in this unique view into the private lives of some of England's most public figures.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1985
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 8, 2014
An English Room by Derry Moore would be a great book for any architects and photographers alike. The spaces were absolutely beautiful and Moore's photographic eye is genius! If I'm brutally honest, the reason why this book attracted me was because Benedict Cumberbatch on the cover. However, the space he's in, The Garrick Club's Library in London, is gorgeous. A lot of the spaces covered reminded me of how I imagined London looking: sort of 1800s gothic. Still brimming with atmosphere.
July 6, 2020
The book I read is The Englishman's Room, by Alvide Lees-Milne and Derry Moore, published in 1986, ISBN 0 88162 214 1, first edition. I think the metadata for this book on Goodreads is wrong, because I see some reviews mentioning an edition with Benedict Cumberbatch on the cover, with a different title, and he was only ten years old in 1986.
Anyway. This book is a lovely journey. Each featured man discusses his day room, his den, his library, his man-cave before the term man-cave was ever conceived...how it came to be, and what it means to him to have this space to himself. These gentlemen are all clearly intelligent and creative, and it's a delight. So many said, "I don't even have a telephone in here." and isn't that just what we need, today? A quiet getaway room where one can sit and read, write, paint, draw, be? We should all be so lucky to have such.
Anyway. This book is a lovely journey. Each featured man discusses his day room, his den, his library, his man-cave before the term man-cave was ever conceived...how it came to be, and what it means to him to have this space to himself. These gentlemen are all clearly intelligent and creative, and it's a delight. So many said, "I don't even have a telephone in here." and isn't that just what we need, today? A quiet getaway room where one can sit and read, write, paint, draw, be? We should all be so lucky to have such.
February 24, 2014
Cada pessoa tem um lugar que é o seu ninho, o seu canto, a sua toca. Neste livro várias personalidades inglesas partilham o seu 'english room'. Mesmo que este se encontre num outro país e não seja uma divisão tradicional numa casa tradicional. A autora fotografa e as personalidades explicam o porquê. Muito interessante.
July 10, 2023
More engaging than many of the well-assembled photography books dealing with the houses of the elite and the well-off that seem to have littered the 1980s (for example, those photographed by Christopher Simon Sykes). Derry Moore's photographs are beautifully composed, finding just the right angle to provide both the best view to see wonderful details and to give a sense of the larger home beyond the single room represented. Alvilde Lees-Milne, the wife of celebrated diarist James Lees-Milne, is credited here on Goodreads as the author, but the text is actually provided by the homeowners themselves, from Patrick Leigh Fermor to the Duke of Devonshire to John Gielgud. Each brings their own perspective to their choice of favorite room, and the essays make wonderful reading. Recommended for anyone interested in the life of the leisure class, home decorating, architecture, or simply good writing and photographs.
May 10, 2021
IBSN: 0881622141 published in 1986 is the edition I read. GR does not have a cover photo. It is out of print.
The book features the favorite rooms of 31 men who describe the room, what it contains and why it is their favorite. As with most cases, the more you know about the stories behind the room, the more interesting it becomes. Most of the men are most likely dead now, but the book made me curious enough about most of them to research their backgrounds on my own, although there are biographical notes at the end. One of the most interesting to me: Professor Bernard Nevill, who taught at fashion textile design at 3 prestigious art schools and designed fabric for Liberty of London based on William Morris wallpaper. Also featured, David Hicks, husband to Lady Pamela Hicks, daughter of the last viceroy of India; James Lees-Milne author of Ancestral Voices. The descriptions are written by the men themselves and mostly with a sense of humor.
The book features the favorite rooms of 31 men who describe the room, what it contains and why it is their favorite. As with most cases, the more you know about the stories behind the room, the more interesting it becomes. Most of the men are most likely dead now, but the book made me curious enough about most of them to research their backgrounds on my own, although there are biographical notes at the end. One of the most interesting to me: Professor Bernard Nevill, who taught at fashion textile design at 3 prestigious art schools and designed fabric for Liberty of London based on William Morris wallpaper. Also featured, David Hicks, husband to Lady Pamela Hicks, daughter of the last viceroy of India; James Lees-Milne author of Ancestral Voices. The descriptions are written by the men themselves and mostly with a sense of humor.
November 22, 2013
A beautiful collaboration of photos and written word on rooms that hold such impact to their denizens. It shows both lovely interior and exterior architecture; but also reveals a passionate side to its occupants choosing them as personal places. I particularly have a preference for book nooks myself, so I give my approving nod to Simon Jenkins, Jeanette Winterson, and Benedict Cumberbatch on showing us theirs. But I also can see the comfort and security the others feel in the other nesting places such as theatres, churches, Indian ruins, art studios, homes, etc. These places can inspire design, comfort, and so much more for many people. It also makes me nostalgic for my childhood room, with its pink stucco walls textured down like flowing waterfalls. Silly really, but I miss those little things like that sometimes.
December 30, 2013
This was a late Christmas present, bought with the ever reliable book tokens. A coffee table book in which celebrities (Stephen Fry, Alan Bennett, Benedict Cumberbatch) designers (James Dyson, Paul Smith) sit side by side with members of the aristocracy and people I've, frankly, never heard of to describe their favourite rooms. Although the title of the book is 'An English Room' the choices actually cover a number of countries. The pictures are great, it can't just be me who likes a good nose into people's houses. The only reason this doesn't get 5 stars is because Otis Ferry uses his choice to defend, yet again, fox hunting.
July 19, 2012
Fascinating insight into the lives of each gentleman, the reasons behind their personal sanctums and the items within.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews