Painted Travels

An armchair discovery tour of truly remarkable places, captured in SJ Axelby’s inimitable watercolours. This follow-up volume to SJ Axelby’s Interior Portraits transports the reader to bars, cafes, museums, shops, hotels, tearooms, restaurants, gardens, trains and more, around the world.

This is an insider’s guide to the classic, the cool and the quirky, with locations around the world hand picked by SJ and painted in her trademark bright and detailed watercolours. All the featured places have something special, whether that’s a stunning position, centuries of history, designer interiors or a touch of good old-fashioned glamour.

The text offers the reader intriguing details and insider knowledge about the history and design of these locations plus there’s also the occasional cocktail recipe! Curated by an artist with an appreciation of the fine details, SJ Axelby’s Painted Travels is a taste-filled tour to delight and inspire the reader.

A small selection of the c.60 destinations that are featured in the book:
HR Giger Bar, Gruyères, Switzerland (immersive artwork and bar in one)
Populart, Seville (selling new and historic ceramics including azulejos tiles)
The San Domenico Palace Hotel in Taormina, Sicily (setting for season 2 of The White Lotus )
Woodman’s Hut, Scottish Highlands (dark-sky eco hideaway)
Chatsworth House (Derbyshire’s most beautiful country house)
Parker Palm Springs (Hollywood insiders’ escape)
UK leg of the Venice Simpson Orient Express (Golden Age restored train including carriage designed by Wes Anderson)
Liberty London (iconic department store)
Petersham Nurseries (unique plant nursery and lifestyle venue)

About the Author

SJ Axelby has had a paintbrush in her hand for as long as she can remember. She has a degree in textile design and loves pattern, colour and all things interiors. Best known for her room portraiture (she created the Room Portrait Club during lockdown), recent clients include Christie's, Kit Kemp and Alexandra Tolstoy. Her work has featured in the Telegraph Stella Magazine, FT How to Spend It, the Liberty Book, Elle Decoration and The World of Interiors and international titles such as Elle Decor Italia and Architectural Digest. She is now a full-time room portrait artist working for designers, hoteliers and clients around the world.