Eagle Eye exists to explain the gaps—between how we dress and how we live; between the spaces you’re drawn to and the coat you keep reaching for. Each month, London-based designer and creative director Alex Eagle will bring in her network of friends and experts to explore the “why” behind a certain theme—why we’re drawn to certain things, and how those instincts quietly build up over years without us even noticing. This column is rooted in interior design, but it branches out in many directions (and yes, it also includes a curated selection of shoppable products).
You might notice a theme in my last few columns. So much of life feels fast, digital, endlessly replaceable, and lately, I find myself wanting the opposite. I’m drawn to objects that take time to make, homes that tell stories, and style that isn’t built on novelty but on memory and affection. There’s something romantic about wearing pieces until they’re softened by time, and keeping things around just because they remind us of someone we love.
For me, this kind of romanticism is tied to a distinctly British perspective. “When I think of classic English style, I think of romantic rooms and a mix of formal and relaxed elements,” says artist and designer Luke Edward Hall. “I think of layered patterns and textiles; antiques and soft lighting.” Designer Emilia Wickstead agrees: “There’s an appreciation for heritage, craftsmanship, and tradition, but also an ability to reinterpret those references in a way that feels contemporary. It’s never about perfection—it’s about character,” she explains. “Romance today is much more subtle than it used to be. It’s not defined by obvious femininity, but by emotion and a sense of authenticity.”
I spoke with Hall and Wickstead (along with de Gournay director Hannah Cecil Gurney, whose eye for creating whimsical interiors definitely fits into the romantic category) to dig deeper into the key elements of this style. What follows isn’t a strict guide, but a set of foundational principles—a softened color palette, a playful eye, and pieces designed to be worn until they become heirlooms.
Personality Pieces
There’s a strand of romance that welcomes a sense of mischief. Pieces that are personal, playful, and don’t quite match are the ones that make a room or an outfit unmistakably your own. The Bloomsbury Group—the 20th-century circle of writers and painters known for rejecting strict Victorian conventions—is a perfect example. Their home was a haven of mismatched colors, prints, and little surprises tucked into every room.
Luke Edward Hall brings this idea into his own designs, highlighting trompe l’oeil and imperfect surfaces. “The best rooms reflect their owners,” he says. “The English look, in my book anyway, is eclectic and colorful. It’s also full of personality.” Fashionable expressions of this could be a patchwork bag or a pair of electric lime heels; for the home, Nordic Knots’ hand-knotted rug is a fun take on British gardens. “Your house isn’t an exhibit for visitors,” says Gurney. “It’s a sanctuary for its inhabitants. If you let it reflect yourself and your character, then it will have the romance that’s right for you.”
Human Touch
The human hand is a small act of resistance against automation and artificial intelligence. “There’s something reassuring about craftsmanship, about taking the time to create something,” says one of the experts.Handle things with care and intention,” says Wickstead. It’s proof that something was made by a person, not a machine. For Wickstead, romance here means sentimentality with a purpose—like a handmade embroidered tablecloth passed down until it becomes a family tradition.
Look for pieces that put craftsmanship first. Inès Bressand’s Bell bag, handwoven and shaped by hand; One/Of’s Frans bloomers, made to order from leftover European fabric; mosaic Murano glasses, created using the Italian millefiori technique—each glass is one of a kind, capturing centuries of craft in a single piece.
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Alex Eagle
Mosaic Murano glasses
$296 ALEX EAGLE
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Bode
Chamomile shirt
$690 MR PORTER
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Zara
Throw pillow cover
$60 ZARA
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Inès Bressand
N.42 large bell bag
$535 APIECE APART
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Sea
Adonna tank
$350 NET-A-PORTER
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One/Of
Frans bloomers
$990 ONE/OF
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Borgo delle Tovaglie
Eden table linen
$835 ABASK
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Simone Rocha
Lace-trimmed bralette
$395 NET-A-PORTER
Future Heirlooms
Lean into sentimental favorites—Wickstead keeps a set of embroidered table linens that belonged to her mother, bought from Italian markets. “They immediately take me back to long lunches in the garden with family and friends,” she says.
After all, there’s romance in the marks an item collects over time, not just how it looks in a photo. “A sofa worn down on one side by the family dog, ring marks on the bedside table from the cup of tea brought to me each morning… these imperfections show the human side of a home,” says Gurney. “They show that a house is loved and enjoyed.” While some of these pieces are inherited, others are heirlooms we create ourselves—bought new and treated as if they’ll outlast us. Take a vintage coffee table, for example. This one from the 1950s, by Eagle and Hodges, has small imperfections and will develop a rich patina over time.
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Alex Eagle
Columba ring
$3,600 ALEX EAGLE
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Manolo Blahnik
Voluptia 70 mules
$1,095 NET-A-PORTER
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Dôen
Elarie dress
$398 DÔEN
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Completedworks
No Rush earrings
$270 NET-A-PORTER
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Christofle
Albi ice cream spoons
$400 NET-A-PORTER
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Métier
x Fernando Jorge Ease clutch
$2,150 NET-A-PORTER
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Manolo Blahnik
x Emilia Wickstead Maysli pumps
$1,045 NET-A-PORTER
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Eagle + Hodges
Vintage coffee table
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the topic What Is English Romanticism Alex Eagle Explains How to Bring the Style into Your Home
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What exactly is English Romanticism in home decor
Its a cozy nostalgic style inspired by the English countryside Think soft faded florals antique furniture layers of texture and a moody relaxed color palettenot frilly or fussy
2 Who is Alex Eagle and why should I listen to her
Alex Eagle is a British stylist designer and shop owner known for her effortless livedin aesthetic Shes great at showing how to mix old and new pieces without making a room feel like a museum
3 How is this style different from cottagecore or shabby chic
Romanticism is darker and more sophisticated Cottagecore is very sweet and rustic shabby chic is light and white English Romanticism uses moody greens blues and browns with a focus on patina and history
4 Do I need a big old house to pull this off
Not at all The style works in apartments or small homes Its about the feelingusing vintage finds warm lighting and natural materialsnot the square footage
5 What are the main colors used in English Romanticism
Muted earthy tones sage green dusty blue charcoal taupe cream and rust Avoid bright whites or neon colors
Intermediate Practical Questions
6 Where can I find affordable pieces to start
Look at flea markets thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace for old wooden chairs tarnished silver frames or worn rugs IKEA basics can be mixed in too
7 Whats the biggest mistake people make when trying this style
Making it too perfect or matching Romanticism celebrates imperfectionchipped paint mismatched china and slightly wrinkled linen If it looks too staged it loses the warmth
8 How do I add romanticism without making my home feel dark or gloomy
Balance dark walls with plenty of warm soft lightingtable lamps candles and floor lamps Use mirrors to bounce light around and keep