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SJ Axelby’s Interior Portraits

An Artist’s View of Designers’ Living Spaces
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( 13 ratings, 1 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
SJ Axelby’s Interior Portraits by SJ Axelby is a beautifully illustrated exploration of varied interiors, each capturing the essence and personality of the spaces depicted. The book delves into the relationship between the inhabitants and their environments, offering a glimpse into how personal spaces can reflect identity and creativity. Through Axelby's detailed and vivid illustrations, readers are invited to appreciate the artistry and narrative inherent in each unique interior.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you have a fascination with the world of interior design and portraiture. It beautifully combines art and personal storytelling by capturing the unique essence of various interiors through expressive illustrations. Ideal for someone who appreciates both detailed art and the stories behind beautifully curated spaces.

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An artist’s record of the homes of 89 leading creatives from interior designers to ceramicists, antiques dealers, florists and chefs.

Homes of leading creatives explored through gorgeous watercolour painting

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

An artist’s record of the homes of 89 leading creatives from interior designers to ceramicists, antiques dealers, florists and chefs.

SJ Axelby brings new life to interior portraiture, capturing in paint the favourite rooms of 89 leading creatives from interior designers to ceramicists and antiques dealers (and florists and chefs). A sumptuously illustrated record of a home or special project, each interior portrait is accompanied by a charming and quirky interview with the owner, in which we discover invaluable nuggets of design advice, cocktail choice, life hacks and so much more – all illustrated in watercolour by SJ.

There is a long tradition of painting rooms to provide a record of grand homes, giving a glimpse into the life and times of previous generations. Today there is a resurgence of interest in our living spaces, but there is no book in the tradition of illustrated room portraiture to inspire you. SJ Axelby's Interior Portraits will take you into multiple unique and colourful homes, seen through the artist’s eye.

Creating an authentic and characterful scheme is much like the composition of a painting: the shape, form, contrast, colour, pattern and texture all need to work in harmony. This pictorial guide includes not only Sarah-Jane’s original watercolours but scrapbook pages annotated with design wisdom from each room’s owners, which will enthuse and empower the reader to try new ideas in their own homes. It’s a creative who’s who of the international design world featuring mouth-watering compositions bursting with colour and pattern and displaying the true joy of a home that reflects its owner’s personality. With a foreword by Kit Kemp of Firmdale Hotels.

Just a few of the creatives featured:

  • Alexandra Tolstoy
  • Alice Stori Liechtenstein
  • Anna Spiro
  • Ashley Hicks
  • Ben Pentreath & Charlie McCormick
  • Cath Kidston Padgham
  • Erica Davies
  • Flora Soames
  • Henry Holland
  • Kit Kemp
  • Lucinda Chambers
  • Lulu Lytle
  • Luke Edward Hall & Duncan Campbell
  • Matilda Goad
  • Penny Morrison
  • Robert Kime
  • Skye McAlpine
  • Sophie Conran

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Reviewers praise SJ Axelby’s Interior Portraits for its charming and exquisite illustrations that capture the essence of diverse interiors with style and colour. The book is noted for its focus on real homes with a quirky element, bringing energy and liveliness to the spaces depicted. Critics appreciate it as a delightful addition to contemporary culture, comparable to other beloved artistic projects born during the Covid lockdown period.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781911682585

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 13 October 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Pavilion

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 195.0mm

Height: 252.0mm

Weight: 830g

Pages: 192

About the Author

SJ Axelby has had a paintbrush in her hand for as long as she can remember. She has a degree in textile design and loves pattern, colour and all things interiors. Best known for her room portraiture (she created the Room Portrait Club during lockdown), recent clients include Christie's, Kit Kemp and Alexandra Tolstoy. Her work has featured in the Telegraph Stella Magazine, FT How to Spend It, the Liberty Book, Elle Decoration and The World of Interiors and international titles such as Elle Decor Italia and Architectural Digest. She is now a full-time room portrait artist working for designers, hoteliers and clients around the world. @sjaxelby 14K followers

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