Nicholas Haslam is one of the world's finest interior designers, sought by rock stars, royalty and the aristocracy alike. His interiors have chutzpah and a touch of opulence that seduce the moment you catch a glimpse. Haslam style makes rooms look glamorous and sexy, yet livable, practical and, above all, flattering to their owner and their surroundings. He makes great use of the completely unexpected and is known for effects such as stunning mosaic gilt-effect walls, linen carpets, silver-papered ceilings, slashed leather curtains and Picasso-inspired fabric footstools. The mix of deeply serious, grand and impressive with glamour, charm and, most of all, wit is the Haslam trademark. "Sheer Opulence", illustrated throughout with specially commissioned photography by David Montgomery, reveals Haslam's decorating secrets and instinctive approach to both classic and contemporary interiors in a visual diary with Haslam's own watercolour plans accompanying the stunning photographs of rooms around the world. "Sheer Opulence" shows you how to aspire to this look and bring glamour and style to everyday living.
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Nicky Haslam has not only reinvented himself - he's reinvented English interior design, turning it around, twisting it and coming up with something exquisite and undreamt of by anyone else. Not one to pander to restraint or minimalism, Haslam goes all out for his individual interiors: adding pillars, columns, fake doors don't daunt him in the slightest and his commissions for furniture, lights, wallpaper and carpets, made to order, will no doubt one day end up in an art gallery for their beauty and perfection. Decorator to the stars, and a star himself, he has been fortunate enough to carry out his dreams and visions the world over. In this, his first book, he explains his ideas, methods and the inspiration behind the multitude of fabulous interiors which fill this wonderful book. His sound design advice is lucidly given to ensure the everyday person can translate it into their own homes. As he says, "decoration is about making people look prettier and feel happier" and although most of us cannot afford hand-painted wallpaper or marble floors, we can, as he often does, improvise. For an indulgent, inspirational read, transport yourself to a world of perfection, beauty and "Sheer Opulence" with Britain's number one interior designer. - Lucy Watson
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Nicholas Haslam has been an interior decorator since 1971. Educated at Eton, where he decorated his study with fake leopard-skin walls and a carpet of artificial grass, he moved to New York in his twenties to work as Art Director of US Vogue, then lived on a ranch in Arizona and latterly in Los Angeles. Now based in London, he designs town and country interiors all over England, Europe, and the US for private clients including British royalty, celebrities, and rock stars. His clients include Bryan Ferry and Ringo Starr, as well as Vanity Fair and the New Yorker. He works from his design studio just off Sloane Square in London. Nicholas Haslam writes on style, travel, and social affairs for Vogue, The World of Interiors, House & Garden, Tatler and The Spectator. His autobiography Redeeming Features is published by Random House this November.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Third Time Lucky
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm reading Nicholas Haslam's autobiography, 'Redeeming Features' at the moment, and so enjoying it that I decided I'd treat myself to his interiors book, 'Sheer Opulence'. It's recently been re-issued in paperback so I figured "no great loss" if I didn't like it. I live in a titchy little terrace myself, but I do like my property porn, and Haslam's reputation as the best in the business suggested something really quite fantastic.
Well, what a disappointment. The cover of this book shows a really lovely, restrained yet homely and restful interior, and definitely whets the appetite for more; then you get into the body of the book and discover it's full of some of the naffest, most dated rooms you ever saw in your life.
If you are a faux-toff desperate to make your newly-minted money look old, Haslam seems to be your man. Unfortunately he loves his frilly-knicker curtains, gopping rococo antiques, and fussy fabrics and upholstery; never layers the passing of time or incorporates the patina of age and wear; and he absolutely doesn't know when to stop. It's like a caricature of 'posh', and exactly how a sink-estate dweller who's won the lottery might furnish his new country pile.
Haslam's colourways are also very dated (I suspect the publisher didn't bother to incorporate any of Haslam's newer work), and his room treatments devoid of any real interest because everything is simultaneously excessive and totally bare of any real personality. Even in paperback, and even if you merely bought this book to accustom your design eye to tastes that aren't your own, this book is a complete waste of time and money. I'm returning my copy to Amazon, and you should save yourself the trouble of even borrowing it from the library.
Well, what a disappointment. The cover of this book shows a really lovely, restrained yet homely and restful interior, and definitely whets the appetite for more; then you get into the body of the book and discover it's full of some of the naffest, most dated rooms you ever saw in your life.
If you are a faux-toff desperate to make your newly-minted money look old, Haslam seems to be your man. Unfortunately he loves his frilly-knicker curtains, gopping rococo antiques, and fussy fabrics and upholstery; never layers the passing of time or incorporates the patina of age and wear; and he absolutely doesn't know when to stop. It's like a caricature of 'posh', and exactly how a sink-estate dweller who's won the lottery might furnish his new country pile.
Haslam's colourways are also very dated (I suspect the publisher didn't bother to incorporate any of Haslam's newer work), and his room treatments devoid of any real interest because everything is simultaneously excessive and totally bare of any real personality. Even in paperback, and even if you merely bought this book to accustom your design eye to tastes that aren't your own, this book is a complete waste of time and money. I'm returning my copy to Amazon, and you should save yourself the trouble of even borrowing it from the library.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Wonderful book for anyone who likes a bit of the theatrical in their decor. Haslam guides the reader through his thought process for each of the illustrated rooms of his wealthy clientele. The pictures are beautiful and most of his designs have timeless grandeur. I was tempted to buy the book after walking past his Chelsea shop and have not been disappointed. The only failing is that the book could do with an update - the cover is uninspiring and his new ideas deserve inclusion.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
It was a gift, so I am unsure about how well it works. I expect to hear about it in a few weeks or so.
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