During the course of his career, interior decorator John Fowler, who in 1938 founded Colefax and Fowler with designer Lady Sibyl Colefax, was responsible for transforming some of Britain’s most 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.

Using research from his recently published monograph, Mr 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. Fowler sought to create visually successful rooms, rather than merely 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 can be considered a pioneer in the early field of preservation, Fowler often altered the colors or adding non-historic details to make a visually coherent composition for the visitor. He created subtle interiors, often with painted furnishings and crisp cotton chintzes, which provided a wonderful background for old collections and were in keeping with the romantic taste of the period. The English Country House style was largely created and developed by John Fowler and his later partner Nancy Lancaster.

Martin Wood is a textile and garden designer and interior decorator. He is also a writer on garden design and is co-author of Gertrude Jekyll at Munstead Wood. He has led exclusive travel programs to Nancy Lancaster’s English properties for The Institute of Classical Architecture.

The program is free of charge. Registration is requested, but not required.

Gunn Memorial Library is at the juncture of Route 47 and Wykeham Road, opposite the green. Call the library for further information at 860-868-7586.