Cecil Beaton at Home: An Interior Life

This is absolutely an overwhelming book, in the very best way! Some oversized books can be disappointing: the content doesn't always quite justify the size. Not so in this case. This big book is absolutely bursting with content, both visual and textual. After reading Ashcombe and some of Beaton's diaries, I was longing for a more extensive treatment of his personal life, homes, and style, and now we have it. Beaton's was certainly a well documented life; he painted or photographed everything, every room, every party, every costume, every picnic. He was passionate about beautiful old houses, antiques, and gardens. He had an artist's compulsion to unite fantasy with reality, creating endless occasions for dressing up and becoming whatever you wished to be at the moment. Many of his friends, also artists, shared this vision. The pictures in this book are incredibly varied, and beautifully reproduced, in both color and black/white. The text is extensive too, so it is by no means just a picture book. I only received it a couple of days ago, so I can't say I have begun to digest it all, but anyone with an interest in Beaton, or English eccentrics, or the lost world that existed just before we were born, will find this book fascinating and satisfying, I feel sure.

As an enthusiastic amateur photographer and frustrated interior decorator I've followed Cecil Beaton's work for years and collected all his books. When I heard that there was to be an exhibit "Cecil Beaton at Home" at the museum in Salisbury, England, I was frustrated that I couldn't go--I even asked a friend who lives there to get me the catalogue of the exhibit. Now comes this book, which greatly expands all of the material available on Beaton--every aspect of his life, including his personal life. Wonderful photographs, particularly of his houses--at Pelham Place in London, and his two country homes, the last of which Reddish House, can never be too much documented as far as I am concerned. As a lover of England, English gardens and interior décor, or someone interested in the history of photography, this is an essential volume to own. I should add that some years ago I was in London and went to an exhibit of Beaton's photographs for the defense ministry of England during World War II; some of them are reproduced here, and shows how, in addition to being a photographer of glamour, he could focus on grittier subjects.

I felt like I was invited to tea, and then given a walking tour of his homes and his life. A fascinatingly thorough look into the talents of Cecil Beaton. He combined the classical with the whimsical to please his most important client, himself. This book is an exceptionally well-done work of art in itself.

This book is simply without question a beautiful presentation of the life of Cecil Beaton - a wonderful book to read and the photos add so much - such a talented man who could do it all creatively -

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Any fan of Beaton will know of his insightful photographs, period costume, set, and stage designs, and his tell all diaries and scrapbooks but none have ever delved into the interiors that formed and influenced his life. It’s only fitting that the man who showed style to the world would live in interiors to match. This book, almost an illustrated biography, details Beaton’s interiors while also giving you the background of how these interiors were formed and the people who lived and played in them. Chapters go to great lengths to describe his country houses (Ashcombe and Reddish), his London residences, and the New York hotel rooms he decorated and lived(Plaza, Sherry-Netherland, St Regis, etc.). While none of these interiors survive we are given beautiful, crisp images of the interiors. There are countless books about Cecil Beaton but none have matched the quality and scope of this book. You won’t be disappointed, it’s the best design book of 2016.

THIS is the book I have been waiting for! It is everything I wanted it to be and much, much more. Its large format gives plenty of room for the amazingly reproduced images. You feel like you are actually in Beaton’s homes. For me this is the book of the year!Meticulously and lovingly researched, it lists every address Beaton ever had. But it focuses on his two country houses in England, his London apartment and various apartments in New York City - when the famous had permanent suites in hotels.The book is filled with drawings, paintings, photos, sketches, newspaper clippings, letters and other documents. His sometimes fantastical and ever-changing decor and art collection are not to be topped. Neither is his guest list: David Hockney, Greta Garbo, members of the royal family, Mick Jaeger, the artists Gilbert and George, Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn.It is also the first book to honestly look at his private love life - which brings to life some new characters in the "Beaton Story". These sections are also richly illustrated and this gives it much more meaning!There is so much never been seen material. I could not have dreamed there was so much new, undiscovered stuff - especially with the number of Beaton publications during his lifetime and since his death in 1980. This is a must-have for anyone interested in Beaton, the arts, or the glamorous life of the 1930s - 1960s.

More than just a gorgeous coffee table book it captures the essence of Beaton's style and talent - at times high camp and fabulous but always in vogue and contemporary for his time before the late 20th century world changed.

Excellent book, easy read and well written. Interesting insight into the life of Beaton. Text accompanied with many photo's etc.due to size rather 'coffee table' than book shelf!

Good and fast service. The book arrived on expected time. It is really a wonderful book, full of lovely photographs and information on Beaton's life. I just opened the package for Xmas, so I read just few pages but very interesting.

I had wanted this book since it was published - full of amazing photographs depicting the life & times of Cecil Beaton

Everything that I was expecting in this brilliant collection of photos and biography. Well done to Andrew Ginger!