What do you think?
Rate this book
Divinely Decadent
Lavish, eccentric, opulent, bohemian, theatrical - Divinely Decadent showcases interiors to delight anyone who adores decorative elements. Written with wit by design historian Stephen Calloway, photographed by renowned interiors photographer Deidi von Schaewen, and printed with extravagant 5th-color gold throughout, Divinely Decadent is structured around the theme of the seven deadly from slothful living rooms to bedrooms to lust after, from envious furnishings to collections to covet and materials to arouse the anger of the puritanical. This is the perfect antithesis to worthy but dull neutrals, contemporary good taste, and minimal modern lines- a veritable feast for style-conscious maximalists.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2001
1 person is currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Calloway
45 books14 followersStephen Calloway is a curator of paintings at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
He is an expert on 19th century art, and has made a particular study of the decadent and dandy culture of the fin de siecle.
He staged the V&A's exhibition on the 1890s, 'High Art and Low Life' in 1993, and curated the 'Aubrey Beardsley Centenary Show' in Tokyo and London in 1998.
He writes on the history of taste and lectures widely in England and America.
He also worked, in his role as a consultant on period sytle and manners, with Nicole Kidman and John Malkovich on Jane Campion's film of Henry James' novel 'The Portrait of a Lady'.
He is an expert on 19th century art, and has made a particular study of the decadent and dandy culture of the fin de siecle.
He staged the V&A's exhibition on the 1890s, 'High Art and Low Life' in 1993, and curated the 'Aubrey Beardsley Centenary Show' in Tokyo and London in 1998.
He writes on the history of taste and lectures widely in England and America.
He also worked, in his role as a consultant on period sytle and manners, with Nicole Kidman and John Malkovich on Jane Campion's film of Henry James' novel 'The Portrait of a Lady'.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 27, 2011
First bumped into S Calloway in his articles for the British "House and Garden". He was (is?)an eccentric V&A curator who lived in a London home with no electricity.
Calloway defines 'decadence', then pairs photographs of lavish, eccentric, sometimes over-the-top, or just wicked interiors with erudite prose. He stuctures his tour around the 'seven deadly sins': kitchens and dining rooms for gluttons; libidinous bedrooms; slothful living rooms. Tons of fun.
Highly recommended for readers seeking an antidote to "This season's HOTHOTHOT color: beige!" fare.
Calloway defines 'decadence', then pairs photographs of lavish, eccentric, sometimes over-the-top, or just wicked interiors with erudite prose. He stuctures his tour around the 'seven deadly sins': kitchens and dining rooms for gluttons; libidinous bedrooms; slothful living rooms. Tons of fun.
Highly recommended for readers seeking an antidote to "This season's HOTHOTHOT color: beige!" fare.
May 30, 2010
This book is incredible like you wouldn't believe; it is exactly as its title suggests: Divine and decadent. Calloway fondly and lovingly describes the seven deadly sins in such seductive, lyrical words that you just can't help but be taken in by the unabashed beauty of it all. I love this book even more than Baroque Baroque
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews