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Living in Sri Lanka (Thames & Hudson, 2006)
Much more than an armchair travel appetiser: interiors featured are of a consistently high standard … and there is much here to inspire - House & Garden
Read an extract from Living in Sri Lanka
Living in Sri Lanka was one of the most remarkable interiors books of 2006. Together with James and Joanna Fennell, Turtle Bunbury tracked down 26 beautiful and diverse mountain retreats, coastal villas and townhouses in the island of Serendib.
This gorgeous hardcover book gave a tremendous account of why Sri Lanka is regarded as one of the foremost beacons for 21st century style. Combining the influences of India, the Far East, Portugal, the Netherlands and British Ceylon, the homes featured in Living in Sri Lanka are stunningly photographed by James Fennell while Turtle pieces together the reasons why Sri Lanka is such a resilient island paradise.
The new book has received widespread attention for its positive portrayal of post-tsunami Sri Lanka. It has been declared Book of the Month by The Essential KBB, The Hot Read by In Style and one of the three Hot Summer Reads by Elle Decoration.
Living in Sri Lanka has also received substantial coverage in Vogue Living, The Financial Times, The New York Post, The Irish Times, The Scotsman, Sunday Express, The Australian, The Independent, House & Garden, International Homes Magazine, Homes Worldwide, Sunday Independent, International Homes Magazine, Serendib,The Sunday Express, Homes Worldwide, House & Garden and The White Book.
For details on where to purchase this book, email Turtle Bunbury.
Read Reviews at links below:
The Scotsman (by Jessica Kiddle) - The Australian - The Irish Times - The Sri Lankan Anchorman - The Financial Times - The Sri Lankan Sunday Times (where Richard Boyle quite rightly gives out about my appalling spelling)
Other Reviews
"This handsome interiors book - the result of extensive travels -
pays tribute to Sri Lanka's diverse influences and could well promote the
tourism that is vital to its recovery. While predominantly dealing with
architecture and interiors, from colonial to contemporary design, it also
captures the Sri Lankan people, their lifestyles and the landscape. Through
Fennell's superb photography, we see that Sri Lanka is the location of buildings
of simple elegance, many of which survived the tsunami".
Eoin Lyons, By the Book
The Irish Times, June 8th 2006
"Living in Sri Lanka is much more than an armchair ravel appetiser:
interiors featured are of a consistently high standard; the vision presented,
though exotic, is surprisingly alien; and there is much here to inspire".
Matthew Dennison's Noteworthy Publications
House & Garden, April 2006
"An ideal guide for those seeking a stylish retreat or design ideas
from the Tropics … 200 captivating colour photographs portray the multi-cultural
heritage and breathtaking landscape of this magical island. There has never
been a better reference for those wanting to recreate a calm, harmonious
and super-sophisticated scheme".
Book of the Month
The Essential Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom, April 2006
"We're anticipating glorious summer holidays with Living in Sri
Lanka by Turtle Bunbury and James Fennell, a mix of elegant homes and
stunning landscapes"
Hot Summer Reads
Elle Decoration, April 2006
"Love rich, silk textiles and exotic mouth-watering interiors? Then
Living in Sri Lanka will give you so many design ideas, you'll be
checking in to see for yourself"
The Big Read
In Style, April 2006
"Mouth-watering photographs of exclusive residences and breath-taking
landscapes … a must for anyone wishing to recreate the colonial style
at home".
Image Interiors (UK), April 2006
"Living in Sri Lanka showcases some of the best of Sri Lanka's
town and city houses, coastal villas and hill country dwellings".
Jessica Kiddle in an interview with Turtle Bunbury
The Scotsman, March 4th 2006
"A testament to a new era in Sri Lankan history where the colonial
ambience of old can merge successfully with the modern desire to escape"
Design & Interiors
The Independent Magazine, April 2006
"A portrait of one of the most spectacular destinations on the planet"
Homes Worldwide, April 2006
"A world beater for spacious al fresco retreats and secluded coastal
settings"
Sunday Express, 19th March 2006
"A sumptuous portrait of an unforgettable architectural landscape"
Introduction to an article by Turtle Bunbury in 'House & Home'.
The Financial Times, March 12th 2006
"An enchanting portrait of this magical tropical island. The houses
are uillustrated by more than 250 photographs of their interiors and the
stunning landscapes around them. For anyone searching for a hidden paradise
or seeking to recreate their own, this book will provide an insight into
homes and interiors in harmony with their environment"
Style Bible
Scotland on Sunday, March 12th 2006
Faded grandeur, modern vision: the style of Sri Lanka - The Irish Times, Thursday June 8th 2006 - by Eoin Lyons
From colonial days to contemporary times, Sri Lanka has a proud heritage. Eoin Lyons looks at a book celebrating its style and spirit of diversity
Sri Lanka, like many of the countries devasted by the recent tsunami, is making valiant efforts to return to normal. Living In Sri Lanka, by Turtle Bunbury and Irish photographer James Fennell, a handsome interiors book that pays tribute to the country's diverse influences, could well promote the tourism that is vital to its recovery.
Fennell specialises in interiors, fashion and portraiture, working for various Condé Nast publications; Bunbury has written a number of other books including The Landed Gentry & Aristocracy of Co Wicklow (2005) and this year won a Long-haul Travel Journalist of the Year award. This new book, published by Thames & Hudson, is the result of extensive travels in what the ancients called the Island of Serendipity and has received attention for its positive portrayal of the country post-tsunami.
While predominantly dealing with the country's architecture and interiors - from colonial to contemporary design - it also captures the Sri Lankan people, their lifestyles and the landscape. Over the centuries, Muslim traders and the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch, then the British, were drawn to rule the tropical island (which is about the size of Ireland) just off the southeast coast of the Indian subcontinent. Through Fennell's superb photography we see that Sri Lanka is the location of buildings of simple elegance, many of which survived the tsunami.
A Dutch colonial villa, a tree house over a riverbank, a renovated manor, a 21st century eco-village, a 1930s Art Deco chalet . . . all sorts of buildings are here. The interiors captured depict both faded grandeur and modern vision, but what's striking about them all is that they have been constructed with great respect for the spectacular environment in which they are situated.
Defining Sri Lankan style, writes Bunbury, is complex. The country's history, location and multi-ethnic population has left it open to influences from across the world.
Yet in terms of architecture and interiors, Sri Lanka possesses a unique character.
Verandas and colonnades are highly practical attributes for tropical houses, giving shade from the sun, fresh circulating air and a sense of internal security.
A house called Doornberg in the region of Galle (one of the areas hard hit by the tsunami) is a Dutch Colonial homestead built in 1712. It is, according to Bunbury, one of the oldest and most elegant.
The original architect had an understanding of sunlight and as the sun sets over the central courtyard, the light of evening gives the house a golden hue.
The courtyard features squares of grass, pebble and stone, where guests take their meals.
A bedroom with a jakwood four-poster bed, has simple wicker furniture and a rattan rug. A traditional Rajasthani painting on cotton of an exotic elephant recalls the Hindu deity Ganesh, lord of beginnings.
A satinwood tree house stands 12m above ground in the bough of a pau tree.
Places like this are new additions to Sri Lanka's burgeoning eco-tourism industry.
© The Irish Times