Other Lives, Other Stories: Interior Portraits

A master in the art of interiors photography invites readers on an immersive global journey of extraordinary rooms and architecture from the Renaissance to the present day.

In this compelling follow-up to his celebrated 2020 volume, renowned photographer Simon Watson returns to his archive to reveal a new collection of visual treasures. The range of locations is both sweeping and evocative. From the vibrant textures of Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia to the refined elegance of Denmark, France, Italy, and Spain, Watson’s lens captures the intimate character of private residences as well as the grandeur of culturally significant architectural sites. His selection includes such atmospheric spaces as Grundtvig’s Church, a masterwork of Danish Brick Expressionism; the imposing Futurist-style post office in Palermo; India’s opulent Lakshmi Vilas Palace; and the ornate architecture and haunting beauty of Cairo’s City of the Dead.

Complementing these international interiors are privileged glimpses into the studios and homes of influential artists, revealing environments that have shaped their creative worlds. For each project, Watson offers thoughtful written reflections. His descriptions blend anecdotal storytelling with incisive observations on architectural form and interior design.

With a career now spanning thirty-five years, Watson has earned his reputation as one of today’s most revered interiors photographers. This new volume stands as both a global design odyssey and an elegant retrospective of his work, offering readers a rare combination of visual poetry, cultural insight, and personal narrative. | Simon Watson, a native of Dublin, is an interiors photographer. Studio Peregalli Sartori is a Milan-based architecture and interiors firm, founded by philosopher Roberto Peregalli and architect Laura Sartori Rimini.