Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, a leading specialist in classic English design, explores the 'age of elegance'. She tours a variety of Georgian houses through our the British Isles to give a fascinating overview of the period (1700 to 1830). Looking first at the styles and fashions of the time, we are given a real sense of Jane Austen's England - the refined elegance of the furniture, the classic lines of the architecture and the rolling slopes of Capability Brown's landscapes. Gradually we move in and take a closer look at the house in its setting, the landscaped garden and exterior details - covering town and country buildings, cottages and grand estates, courtyards and lodges, gazebos and outhouses. Next we move inside to examine the interior of the home and look at the rooms and decor in fine detail, from hallway to living room, passageway to bootroom and staircase to bedroom. A final section provides an artist's palette of paint colours used, to enable all enthusiasts to emulate classic Georgian style, and thumbnail biographies and style guides to the influential architects, cabinetmakers and craftsmen of the period such as Robert Adam and George Hepplewhite. Illustrated throughout with specially commissioned colour photographs and original Georgian architecture drawings and plans, Henrietta Spencer-Churchill's knowledge and love of this period is evident.

Author Biography

Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill is the elder daughter of the 11th Duke of Marlborough whose family home is Blenheim Palace. Het interest in interior design began when, at the age of 16, she travelled to study fine art and languages in Florence and Paris. Later she returned to England to finish her formal studies at the world - famous Inchbald School of Design. In 1981, she ser up her own interior design company, Woodstock Designs. Her previous books, Classic English Interiors, Classic Decorative Details and Classic Fabrics gained international success.