Gowrley's intention to view the four houses and their owners, through an historical and contextual lens, is meticulously achieved in this richly fascinating study; the multi-layered, emotional sub-texts invested in material objects are sensitively extracted and interpreted, to display meaningful domestic spaces, three of which outlived their owners.

Penelope Cave, Women's Studies Group 1558 – 1837

This is a theoretically engaged and well researched study that significantly advances our understanding of the role of domestic material culture in eighteenth and nineteenth century society ... For the first time, the book maps the processes that created the social and emotional meaning of objects, and clearly demonstrates that these meanings were of equal if not greater significance than the cultural capital they afforded. This argument, in addition to the discussion of queer identities, makes this book a significant contribution to the literature on the home and domestic interior. It is also beautifully presented-with generous illustrations and colour plates-which help bring its important argument to life.

Jane Hamlett, Royal Holloway University of London, UK, Women's History Review

This is a well-theorised study which shows how, for these men and women, 'home' was a social place, deeply imbued with affect, where identities were forged and circulated … [The general reader] will therefore find much to reflect and build upon in Domestic Spaces.

Gillian Williamson, Cultural and Social History