Illustration by Mark Hampton
A couple of weeks ago my mom brought me her copy of Mark Hampton's On Decorating. What a treasure trove of decorating advice from a master of style and design. The book, published in 1989, is made up of monthly columns that Mark wrote for House and Garden magazine over a three year period - plus some material written especially for the book. It also includes many of his wonderful interior illustrations.
I have spent the last seven evenings pouring over the book and the timeless words resonate today. My favorite chapter is on the Enfilade - a suite of rooms aligned with each other. Enfilade is French, meaning to string beads by putting them on thread. Looking at these photos below, you get the idea. 
Image from the Iowa State University website
Auguste Joseph , The Louvre
Image from Decorati
What I love is that your eye moves through the rooms so easily. We are carried across each thresh hold and eagerly anticipate what is beyond the next opening.
Illustration by Mark Hampton
Almost like opening a present inside a present inside a present...
Image via Cote de Texas
Our architect had the brilliance to include enfilades in my house - and I appreciate them every day!
Above three images courtesy of Whitehaven
An enfilade is featured on the cover of the to die for new book The Great Lady Decorators by Adam Lewis. This book is a must read for all decorating fans.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Mark Hampton - On Decorating (and Enfilades)
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