Recommended Reading: Classic English Design and Antiques

"The Painted Room" at Spencer House

The start of the Eighteenth Century saw a golden age of artistry and craftsmanship in England that lasted into the early Twentieth Century. The famed Hyde Park Antiques in New York City has assembled a collection of 150 exceptional objects and magnificent interiors from the most exquisite English homes and showcased them in Classic English Design and Antiques: Period Styles and Furniture, The Hyde Park Antiques Collection. Overflowing with gorgeous color plates and smartly written text, this book is an interesting read and a wonderful source for some interior decorating tips. If you’re looking for inspiration in starting your own Belle Époque, this is the place to start.