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)