English Eccentric Interiors

Private houses, museums, restaurants, pubs, a former cinema and numerous little–known treasures jostle for attention in this beautifully photographed collection of weird and wonderful interiors in England. Often featuring deliberate references to the tastes and styles of bygone eras, all the interiors in this book are united by a wonderful blend of vivacity and individuality, as well as displaying a great deal of passion and dedication in the creation of a unique space. At the same time, the ‘Englishness’ that characterises these interiors is often a diverse assemblage of traditions and tastes from every corner of the world, not only reflecting the historical make–up of British society but also the far–reaching knowledge–base upon which the creators of these glorious interiors have been able to draw. From a bizarre magician’s house in London to a wildly entertaining hotel in rural North Yorkshire, there is ample evidence across England of the creative output resulting from this heady mix of enthusiasm and expertise. Historical fantasies sit alongside glorious 21 st –century expressions of maximalism, from Walpole’s stunning ‘little play–thing house’ at Strawberry Hill in Twickenham to the newly opened Great John Street Hotel in Manchester where the style is joyfully described as ‘New York meets vintage chic’. Quirky, intellectual, stylish or humorous, all the interiors in this book serve as a glorious testimony to the richly creative tradition of English eccentricity, past and present.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS/CREDITS. INTRODUCTION. I: ECCENTRIC ENTERTAINMENT.          Introduction.          Il Bordello , Bristol, Somerset.  Loungelover , Shoreditch, London.  Crab & Lobster/Crab Manor Hotel , Thirsk, North Yorkshire.               Strawberry Hill , Twickenham, Middlesex. Simon Drake’s House of Magic , London.  The Bath House , Stratford–upon–Avon, Warwickshire.        Yew Tree Inn , Cauldon, Staffordshire.         Rules Restaurant & Private Rooms , Covent Garden, London. II: HISTORICAL ORIGINALITY.      Introduction.          Southside House , Wimbledon, London.  Charleston , Lewes, East Sussex.    The Gothic Temple , Stowe, Buckinghamshire. Dennis Severs’ House , Spitalfields, London.  Beckford’s Tower & Museum , Bath, Somerset.                Russell–Cotes Art Gallery & Museum , Bournemouth, Dorset.    Capesthorne Hall , Macclesfield, Cheshire.                Minterne House , Dorchester, Dorset. III: CONTEMPORARY PASSIONS.        Introduction.          43 South Molton Street , Mayfair, London.  Three Ways House Hotel , Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire. Old Railway Station , Petworth, West Sussex.         Courthouse Hotel Kempinski , Soho, London. The Deco/Northampton Jesus Centre , Northampton.        Richard Adams’ House , Chelsea, London.  Great John Street Hotel , Manchester. Julie Arkell’s House , Islington, London. STYLE GUIDE. FURTHER READING.             

Miranda Harrison is a freelance writer and editor, specialising in the arts. Formerly Managing Editor at the Victoria and Albert Museum and Editorial Director at Scala Publishers Ltd, she has a degree in Art History from Manchester University. She was a reviewer and feature writer for many years for The Good Book Guide , on history, travel and the arts, and has contributed many articles to magazines within the design and publishing press. She is the author of a short guide to Picasso’s Guernica and a book on Ancient Egypt. Steve Gorton is an established photographer, with over 20 years’ experience of working with publishers. He has photographed a vast range of subjects, though his quality of observation is particularly borne out in his observation of place and environment, whether natural or manmade.

"...takes in everything from gothic opulence to provocative restaurants.inspirational..." ( Homestyle . April 2006) "... Miranda Harrison unveils some of the more idiosyncratic assertions of individuality that have flourished behind the doors of England′s houses, pubs and hotels..." ( Prospect Architecture Scotland , July 2006) "…a delicious book….a pot pourri of surprises…well deserves a place on the coffee table…" (City Living, July 2006) "With its stylish layout, lavish photographs...and rich text, English Eccentric Interiors makes a good Christmas present for anyone..."  ( UK Landlord , November 2007)