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Buckingham Palace: The Interiors
Interior designer and artist Ashley Hicks presents his photographs and description of the interior design of Buckingham Palace, home of Britain's royal family since 1837. An important representation of Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian styles, the palace is the work of such noted architects as John Nash and Sir Aston Webb. Hicks records the formal spaces with vibrancy, capturing the magnificent rooms furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection.
Starting at the Grand Staircase, Hicks leads us through the state rooms, which include the White Drawing Room and the Blue Drawing Room that both overlook the palace gardens; the Ballroom, which is the setting for twenty investiture ceremonies each year; and the Throne Room, used by Queen Victoria for spectacular costume balls in the 1840s. The long, skylit Picture Gallery is hung with important works of art from the Royal Collection by Rembrandt van Rijn, Peter Paul Rubens, Nicolas Poussin, Anthony van Dyck, Johannes Vermeer, and Canaletto, among others. Decorative furnishings from George IV's exotic Brighton Pavilion lend a fanciful turn to many of the rooms.
Starting at the Grand Staircase, Hicks leads us through the state rooms, which include the White Drawing Room and the Blue Drawing Room that both overlook the palace gardens; the Ballroom, which is the setting for twenty investiture ceremonies each year; and the Throne Room, used by Queen Victoria for spectacular costume balls in the 1840s. The long, skylit Picture Gallery is hung with important works of art from the Royal Collection by Rembrandt van Rijn, Peter Paul Rubens, Nicolas Poussin, Anthony van Dyck, Johannes Vermeer, and Canaletto, among others. Decorative furnishings from George IV's exotic Brighton Pavilion lend a fanciful turn to many of the rooms.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published September 25, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 23, 2023
2018. With an introduction by then Prince of Wales, HRH Prince Charles, Ashley Hicks’ Buckingham Palace The Interiors is a stunning coffee table book. The author who also did all the photography presents a informative and a beautiful ‘tour’ through the formal rooms of this home to the BRF since 1837 when Queen Victoria made Buckingham Palace her official home. The styles found in Buckingham Palace are from the Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian periods. John Nash and Sir Aston Webb, both “noted architects” of Britain, produced what is now known as Buckingham Palace, the royal home known for its many balcony scenes. The formal rooms included in this book begin with the Grand Hall and the Grand Staircase which was designed by John Nash.Then it is onto the Green Drawing Room which leads to the Throne Room. Some of the other rooms included are the Picture Gallery, the White Drawing Room, and the Ballroom. The author’s “atmospheric photography” offers many fine views of this historic royal house. When a friend of mine and I visited Buckingham Palace, only a smallish picture gallery was open to the public. I would have loved to see these spectacularly decorated rooms, and now, I feel that I have. 4.5 stars.
November 3, 2018
Opulent photos of some of the most stunning architecture and furnishings in the world. The accompanying text sheds light on everything without overshadowing the photos.
March 30, 2019
This was such an interesting book. I loved seeing paintings of the palace and comparing them with photos of the palace now. The Chinese Dining Room, for example, was so haunting to me, because in the 1850 painting, the high chair of Princess Louise can be seen in the back corner, and at this point, Princess Louise has of course lived and died but that room looks a lot like it did when she was two and used the high chair painted into the room. A brief moment caught in time. Lovely photos throughout; really enjoyed this book.
December 31, 2022
The pictures in this book are gorgeous. Hicks is close enough to the British Royal Family to get access but far enough away to not get grief for exploiting his connections. There're some nice long shots, but the close-ups are the star. My favorite picture is of a ridiculously elaborate curtain tassel. The captions are minimal but give a great sense of how much George IV and Queen Mary influenced so much of the design.
October 10, 2024
The interior design of Buckingham Palace, official residence of the British royal family.
Often showcases items of less interest to me. Each section has an introductory page, then several photographs, then the "captions" for the photos, too skimpy on details. I like the pictures showing how things used to be as well as the photos of how things are now.
If I were travelling back to London, I'd want to study this book before a visit to the Palace.
Often showcases items of less interest to me. Each section has an introductory page, then several photographs, then the "captions" for the photos, too skimpy on details. I like the pictures showing how things used to be as well as the photos of how things are now.
If I were travelling back to London, I'd want to study this book before a visit to the Palace.
February 12, 2023
Photography / Art / History / Interior & furniture design / Architecture - In one book. Breathtaking images. Good insight into the architecture / history of one of the worlds most famous royal buildings. I was given this book for free. Well worth purchasing though.
January 11, 2021
A glorious book full of wonderful photos of this beautiful palace. Enough details in the text to give a real feel for the place. A book to constantly dip into.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews