Nicky Haslam's Folly de Grandeur: Romance and revival in an English country house

This is the best interiors book that has been published for a very long time. That is because it is all about style, and not about fashion. Fashion is a nasty vulgar thing, imitative, meretricious and all about money. The Hunting Lodge has always had a great fascination ...that exquisite brick façade and the John Fowler association. Mr Haslam has been brave to shape it in his own image and I was almost afraid to discover what he has made of it. The result is absolutely charming, absolutely individual, while acknowledging (in the language of decoration) the imprint of his hallowed predecessor. I really love the resolute individuality of his style, I relish a vicarious enjoyment of the pleasure it has given him to invent new ways of looking at familiar spaces. My own idea of decorating (not a good word but I can't think of another as immediate) is that one's house ought to look as though one has brought down a chair from the attic which just happens to look rather good in a particular room. This is Mr Haslam's style par excellence and of course it takes imagination, experimentation and a perceptive eye. The photographs are very good, the text interesting and amusing throughout. A huge pleasure to possess.

As a great fan of John Fowler's interiors, I have always been fascinated by this property and this book and does not disappoint. The rooms are quite small and it is wonderful to see how small rooms can still look wonderful. Some of the decoration is a little dated, but on the whole it has stood the test of time. I love the fact the kitchen is tiny, with a separate dining room, rather than it being knocked into one to create the big open plan room that is so fashionable at the moment - admiration to Nicky Haslam for keeping things as they are. I also like the fact that amongst the few fine antiques there are lots of cheap decorative things intermingled, that combine to creative rooms with great character.

As with anything Nicky touches the end result is one of pure genius and beauty . The simplicity which he has used in this , his private home is a far cry from the wonderful lavish and marvellous creations and designs he offers his international clients . Not only has he created a home which is quiet , warm and comfortable but a garden which reflects and supports the Folly which is Nicky's home . THe colours inside his home are equally cooling and " Country " and yet warm and cosy in the winter . One can take many ideas from this gorgeous home and asstill dream of the marvel he has created . Thank-you Nicky for allowing us to see inside and share your home .

I am interested in this historic house and have seen it many times in other books relating to John Fowler. Nicky Haslam is a funny old bird and quite extraordinary. Not so long ago he died his white hair black and dolled about in black leather rocker gear . Here we see him pretending to be a gardener in yellow wellies- finally looking a little more his age. House is beautiful externally although the white gates to the lake are TOO white . Some of the interior set-up pics are a bit much but interesting never the less.

Beautifully photographed

This is a wonderful book. Full of gorgeous photos. It is a very honest and often amusing account of how the owner designed his wonderful folly and garden over the 40 or so years he has lived there. Very inspiring if you own or dream of owning a small country pad.

One of the better books on romantic cosy living on a grand but still human level,inventive at times and always in good taste . I did prefer the house when it was decorated by the former resident John Fowler though ... but then this decorating genius still remains unsurpassable to me ...

An interesting and well produced view into an eminent designer’s home, all the more so because it was formerly John Fowler’s residence. Unfortunately the house isn’t really large enough to justify a book of this length.