New English Interiors: At Home with Today’s Creatives
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In New English Interiors: At Home with Today’s Creatives, Elizabeth Metcalfe takes readers on a visually stunning journey into the homes of some of England’s most inspiring and innovative creatives. Paired with beautiful, original photography by Dean Hearne, this book provides a rare glimpse into the deeply personal spaces of designers, artists, and illustrators, where creativity flourishes in every corner.
One of the many reasons why the English style continues to captivate the world is its unique balance of eccentricity, color, and charm. Metcalfe captures this enduring design ethos perfectly by showcasing over 20 homes, each reflecting its owner’s personality through layers of pattern, texture, and carefully curated objects. From London flats to country cottages, these interiors highlight the best of English style—a style that is anything but static. These are living, breathing spaces that evolve, much like the creatives who reside in them.
Each home featured in the book feels like a visual mood board—deeply personal, ever-changing, and full of character. Lucinda Chambers, a fashion stylist and designer, creates a kaleidoscope of colors and eclectic details in her home, while illustrator Fee Greening’s earthy-toned Dorset cottage offers a more tranquil, understated aesthetic. The juxtaposition of these homes underscores the breadth of creativity present in England’s design scene. Other featured homes include those of iconic designer Cath Kidston and artists Annie Morris and Idris Khan, showcasing how each creative finds joy in their own unique blend of color and pattern.
What makes New English Interiors so inspiring is the way these homes serve as curated spaces that are meant to be lived in, enjoyed, and loved. These interiors are more than just visually striking—they are an embodiment of the personalities and quirks of the people who inhabit them. Each piece of art, each fabric choice, and each “found” object has a story to tell, and that is what makes the book so enriching. For anyone seeking inspiration in their own home, the homes featured here encourage embracing individuality, embracing a “mix and match” style, and most importantly, embracing the idea that home decor should reflect your soul.
The combination of Metcalfe’s insights and Hearne’s stunning photography truly makes this book a visual feast. It doesn’t just catalog design; it explores the intimate connections between the creative process and the personal spaces these creators have fashioned for themselves. Whether you’re interested in the bold and theatrical or the subtle and homespun, New English Interiors offers plenty of inspiration for anyone looking to bring more color, texture, and personality into their own living space.
Why You Should Read This Book:
If you’re someone who appreciates the art of layering textures, playing with color, and curating a home that feels deeply personal, New English Interiors will be a source of constant inspiration. The creatives featured in this book remind us that design isn’t about following trends but about expressing who you are and letting your personality guide the way. This book celebrates the beauty of imperfection, of homes that aren’t meant to be static or polished, but rather lived in and evolving.
For me, the way these creatives mix and match textures, colors, and trinkets was truly inspirational. The purposefulness of these choices, and the way they are so deeply tied to the homeowner’s identity, is a powerful reminder of how we can all curate our homes to reflect our truest selves.
Curating Edits Final Thoughts:
New English Interiors by Elizabeth Metcalfe is an inspiring and immersive book that celebrates the ever-evolving nature of home design. Whether you’re a fan of bold, eclectic spaces or more subtle, intimate environments, this book will spark your creativity and encourage you to embrace your design style. It’s a perfect read for those looking to infuse their home with layers of color, texture, and personality.
To purchase your copy of New English Interiors, click the link here*. By clicking and purchasing via our affiliate link marked with an asterisk (*), we may receive a commission at no additional expense to you. For more information on our Affiliate Disclosure, you can visit our page. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion, Frances Lincoln for providing us at Curating Edits an advanced copy to review in exchange for an honest review.