Perfect English: Small and Beautiful

Small homes with timeless English interiors.

- WRITTEN BY PERRI TOBIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTONY CROLLA

The middle window of this bay window has been converted to a door that opens into the small back garden, which is separated from the beach by a fence and a grassy bank.

IN PERFECT ENGLISH: SMALL AND BEAUTIFUL, author Ros Byam-Shaw explores how the enduring elegance of English interiors can be translated into homes of more modest proportions. Whether a cozy country cottage or a charming city townhouse, this book reveals that square footage is no obstacle to creating a stylish and soulful home. With stunning photography by Antony Crolla, each featured home offers a masterclass in layering color, texture, and lived-in character; from artfully arranged antiques and open shelves brimming with china, to beautifully layered silky textiles draped over traditional armchairs, Shaw shows us that good taste knows no size limit.

ROS BYAM-SHAW'S QUIET GENIUS

Ros Byam-Shaw is a respected author, journalist, and former features editor at