An English Vision: Traditional Architecture and Decoration for Today with Ben Pentreath

In November 2024, the ICAA and the New York School of Interior Design were pleased to host a talk by architectural designer and decorator Ben Pentreath on his new publication An English Vision, which explores his unique way of creating buildings that are infused with a strong sense of happiness, history, character, color, imperfection, and a specific place in time. In this recording of the talk, now made available to the public, Pentreath opens the doors to a number of special city apartments, country houses, and farm estates, while sharing insight into his philosophy and process, along with many never before seen photos of these incredible spaces. In each, he shows how he integrates history, tradition, the different rhythms of time, and the personal tastes of his clients to create homes that replace fussy excess with a light, effortless sense of comfort and harmony, as though they were always meant to be just as they are.

Ben Pentreath is an award-winning architectural designer and decorator whose work embodies the highest principles of traditional and classical architecture, as well as urbanism in contemporary society. He studied Art History at the University of Edinburgh before attending the Prince of Wales’s Institute of Architecture. After working for five years in New York and then with the Prince’s Foundation, Ben started his own practice, Ben Pentreath Ltd, in 2004. Since then, the firm has grown to occupy two beautiful studios in Bloomsbury, London. Ben is also co-founder, with Bridie Hall, of Pentreath & Hall, one of London’s most distinctive interiors and decoration shops, located just around the corner from the Ben Pentreath Ltd studios.

Ben is the author of English Decoration (2011) and English Houses (2016). He is also a regular contributor to the Financial Times and runs the Pentreath & Hall blog. In 2023, Ben Pentreath was awarded the prestigious Richard H. Driehaus Prize, given to a major contributor in the field of contemporary traditional and classical architecture; he is one of the youngest laureates of the award. Ben and his husband, Charlie McCormick, split their time between London, West Dorset, and the west coast of Scotland.

This program is presented in partnership with the New York School of Interior Design.

Thank you to the ICAA's Book Club Sponsor:
Foster Reeve: Architectural & Ornamental Plaster

Thank you to our generous sponsors:
Lead Annual Public Programs Sponsor: RINCK
Seasonal Public Programs Sponsor: Dell Mitchell Architects
Seasonal Public Programs Sponsor: Hyde Park Mouldings

To our Lead Interior Design Series Sponsor:
Benjamin Moore & Co.

And to our Interior Design Series Sponsors:
Lindley Martens Design
Timothy Corrigan
Tammy Connor Interior Design