Since the publication in October
1990 of her first book, Finishing Touches (Conran Octopus), ELIZABETH HILLIARD has become known as a dynamic and refreshing writer on interior
decoration and lifestyle subjects. Her useful and readable books combine an
inspiring visual sense with the type of sensible advice and inventive ideas
which result from practical experience. Her captions are pithy and pertinent,
and all her work communicates her personal style and enthusiasm.
Elizabeth Hilliard was formerly a
freelance journalist in London, writing reviews and features. First, she trained
as an art historian, at St Andrews University in Scotland; whilst there she
wrote for what was then the Glasgow Herald. In London she wrote art and
theatre reviews and features for broadsheet newspapers (including, for example, The
Independent and The Observer) and the glossy magazines. Her features
covered a wide range of lifestyle subjects, from motor biking, honeymoon travel
and food to houses and gardens.
She also worked on the editorial
staff of Vogue, Harpers & Queen, Brides and the M&S
magazine, of which she was deputy editor. She was Programmes Editor for the
1987 Edinburgh International Festival.
In 1987 Elizabeth Hilliard was
given the Margaret Rhondda Award for journalism by the Society of Authors.
In the same year, the Evening
Standard suggested she write a regular centre-spread feature for them on
interesting houses and the homes of the famous; from that time, interiors and
homes have been her main passion and she has written about them extensively.
Now, after ten years, Elizabeth has
written more than ten books on a wide range of decorating subjects from rugs and
tiles to window treatments to the broader issues of how to use colour and how to
bring its emotional power into your home using paint. She is still as passionate
as ever about interior decoration and its significance in all our lives.
Elizabeth is married with three
noisy young children. She has a 1970s house painted in white and bright colours
and a garden with a life of its own.
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