"His talent, and the proof that he is something much more than a party-hopping gadfly, are captured in Sheer Opulence, a book crammed with luscious, glossy pictures of some of the 300 or so interiors he has designed, and explanations of his style. His favourite materials are bronze, breche violette, marble, string coloured linen, white canvas and bashed-up, painted wood." The Daily Telegraph
"'The key to a beautiful room', writes Nicholas Haslam, 'is not so much as inventory of furnishings, but the feeling that the space you are in is thrilling and yet harmonious.' Sheer Opulence is full of thrilling rooms – bravura exercises in glamorous, informed decorating that convey opulence and, invariably, romance without vulgarity and with a dose of wit. Nicholas Haslam loves Portuquese baroque, and his favourite materials are breche violette marble; early Aubusson; bronze; worn, painted wood; string-coloured linen; and white canvas. He doesn't decorate to a formula and he is more than a match, one suspects, for the trickiest client: 'My philosophy is to listen carefully and then do exactly as I want.' This book is full of bon mots and pithy advice – 'Every room should have something pink in it, because it makes all the other colours "sing". It also includes a number of rooms, in several locations, to which it is a pleasure repeatedly to return." House & Garden
'It's Nicky's first book, surprisingly, and it's full of glorious photographs of some of the wickedly opulent, marble-staircased homes he has decorated over the years...the more I look through the book the more I rather take to Nicky's over-the-top, 18th century style. At least it makes a change from a change from boring minimalist chic and all those shades of white, none of which I can tell apart anyway" The Independent
"The trouble is that now we're out off practice at doing glamour and adding something sumptuous. So I recommend the interior designer Nicky Haslam's book Sheer Opulence for a bit of contraindoctrination...you can't help being drawn to the work of a man who "decorated his study at Eton with fake leopardskin curtains and a carpet of artificial grass". Now nobody could call that dull." The Times
"Every page of Sheer Opulence by Nicholas Haslam bustles with ruffles, ruches, gilding and glamour. A selection of the master decorator's sumptuous interiors – classic, contemporary, urban and country – is illustrated and described. There are also notes on how he uses materials, light and details for those determined to try to achieve similar startling and amusing effects at home." Country Life
"In Nicky's world, out go leather sofas and rooms that look like offices. His mantra is to create rooms which enhance people and he shows us how in his new book, Sheer Opulence, an exotic tome featuring some of the 300 rooms he has designed." Daily Mail
"Consider it an essential tome for any of you interested in seriously sexy decorating." Daily Express
"If there's a directory of interior designers to the rich and famous, then Nicky Haslam must be a key entry. Known as a socialite and columnist, Nicky designs interiors as grand as his lifestyle, and a selection of his work is beautifully charted through his first book. With a style that rests somewhere between glamorous and pure indulgent, although it's often both, his ideas can't fail to stir up opinion." Kitchen, bedrooms & Bathroom Magazine
"The glamour of Nicholas Haslam's interiors are matched only by the glamour of his clientele. Ant this book will reveal exactly why the interior designer has such a strong and devoted following among the rich, famous and desirable. Justly titled, it is an exciting exploration of his classically inspired taste. It begins with his own apartment and houses before offering a room-by-room tour of those he has created for others. And finally it offers a little of Haslam's interior design wisdom for those who have been inspired to turn their hand to a revamp of their own home. The range is eclectic but there is a consistent and recognisable Haslam style throughout whether the interior be that of a sprawling country home or a small but deluxe city apartment. A sense of opulence is, of course, ever present. This is apparent not only in his extravagantly grand interiors but also in those that have a sense of the decadently comfortable and cosy, such as Haslam's former study. But perhaps what really emerges from this book is an impression of his sense of fun and wit, from his "Picasso" footstools to his "ruin" table made of collapsed and tumbling columns. The photography is absolutely stunning and you will be thoroughly charmed by some of the interiors. I personally am craving the coffee and cream taffeta bed. Haslam is a natural writer as well as interior designer and his explanations are concise and unpretentious, while his watercolours are simply beautiful." Traditional Homes & Interiors
"This magical book, by one of the world's most famous interior designers, is for everyone who loves rooms with the 'wow' factor. Glamorous, elegant, dramatic, evocative – there are many words which could describe the interiors of Nicholas Haslam. I would choose 'seductive' and 'bewitching' because of the irresistible power of a Haslam interior to affect the emotions of anyone who sees it, taking them completely under its spell. Haslam's love of the unexpected, the quirky and the 'wonky', his groundbreakings use of new effects, and his ability to incorporate wit while never shying away from the more serious elements of life, all single him out as a unique designer. Sheer Opulence begins with Haslam's own views of what his style is and it ends with a look at the detail which goes to make up a room's design, such as seating, dining, drapes, fabric, texture and light. In the middle are all the wonderful rooms he has created in glorious pictures with Nicholas' comments on how he came up with the design, and what he was trying to achieve. And as the book takes the reader on an enchanted visual journey through the rooms that he has designed over the years, the author's fascinating exposition gives readers endless ideas and inspiration on creating their own interiors as well as an insight into one of the greatest interior design minds arounds." Distinctive Homes
"One of the world's finest interior designers, sought by rock stars and royalty alike, Nicholas Haslam presents his style in this glorious book." Irish Homes
"In a world where interior decorators are two penny, it takes a publication like this to make you realise that there are some, at least, who really know what they doing. Haslam has a depth to his decorating, which he shares with probably just a handful of other decorators." Belfast Telegraph
"Nicholas Haslam, the celebrated interior designer, is famous for designing the homes of celebrities, royals and rock stars round the world. His first book, 'Sheer Opulence' is a witty affair, with sumptuous photography by David Montgomery." Compass Interiors
"One of the world's finest interior designers, sought by rock stars, royalty and the aristocracy alike, Nicholas Haslam here presents his style in this unique tour of his grand, glamorous, and witty interiors. Never one for pure minimalism nor for overblown fussiness, a Haslam interior has added exhilarating chic, and a touch of opulence that seduces you the moment you see it. The mix of the deeply serious, grand and impressive with glamour, charm and above all wit, is the Haslam trademark. This book shows you how to aspire to this look and bring glamour and style to your everyday living environment." Grund Genug
Back to Home & Garden Press |
View Basket
