Tuesday, March 4, 2008    10 a.m.
Presented by: Martin Wood, Designer and Author
Merchandise Mart Conference Center, 2nd Floor

During the course of his career, interior decorator John Fowler was responsible for transforming some of Britain's important historic interiors, including more than 20 National Trust Properties such as Sudbury Hall, as well as private residences such as Chequers and Buckingham Palace. In 1938 he founded Colefax and Fowler with designer Lady Sibyl Colefax. Fowler sought to create visually successful rooms, rather than to replicate earlier interiors, but his guiding philosophy was always to “do right by the house.” Although he was aware of historically accurate decoration, and indeed can be considered a pioneer in the early field of preservation, Fowler often altered the colors or added non-historic details to make a visually coherent composition for the visitor. The English Country House style was largely created and promulgated by John Fowler and his later partner Nancy Lancaster. Using research from his recently published monograph on John Fowler, author Martin Wood will sketch Fowler’s career from his early work to the last major country house he decorated, showing the development of his style and taste.  

Martin Wood is a textile and garden designer and interior decorator. He has written extensively on garden design and is co-author of Gertrude Jekyll at Munstead Wood and Nancy Lancaster: English Country House Style. Just published by Frances Lincoln is his latest book, John Fowler: Prince of Decorators. He has led exclusive travel programs to Nancy Lancaster’s English properties for The Institute of Classical Architecture.

Lecture followed by a book-signing and reception at Cowtan & Tout, Suite 638.

Registration required, please call The Royal Oak Foundation, 800.913.6565 or visit www.royal-oak.org/lectures.

Sponsored by: