Decorating in Detail

Nice pictures as well as helpful tips on design.

I had been waiting for another book by Alexa Hampton after reading through her first, The Language of Interior Design. Both books are wonderful. There seems to be a whole lot of blues in this book, but to me, they are neither boring nor disappointing. Alexa Hampton is a talented and experienced designer, with great taste and elegance. In her previous book The Language of Interior Design, she has elaborated about a white washed project which could have fallen flat if not for the varying shades and textures. Her orientation to detail is remarkable, coming to site six times to determine the correct off-white shade, taking into consideration the differing lights coming through multiple side windows, throughout the day. The subtlety of her touch has transformed a living space from a sense of gloom simply by painting the wall trim lighter color, a dark hallway by painting glossy “not quite butterscotch” color, and a monotonous dining by the use of a pretty wall paper and white painted chairs against dark wood table. The first book featured more opulence and exquisite projects than the second, I think. Her strength is the neutral palette and harmonious colors. This book, I think, shows a progression of her effort to inject more colors into her designs. Love the sheen of her taffeta curtains and her elegantly scalloped valances. I’m sure the motorized curtains functioned smoothly and her plush upholstery so cozy to tuck in with a book and snacks on a cold rainy day. Her designs are seemingly simple and casual, but the effect is very hard to copy due to her intricate multi-layering. There are shades of colors, patterns and textures. There are a balanced mixture of cushy upholstery with assortment of pillows and airy leggy chairs. There are trims, mirrors, books, pictures and lights on the wall. Marble veins are matched and carpets on the floor. Canopies for the bed. She uses a whole lot of lightings; in a room, there may be 7 or more lights, wall lights, picture lights, floor lights, table lights, and reading lights. Alexa’s designs are a tad more formal by her neatness in terminating her curtains two inches off the floor so as not to “puddle”. Sofas and beds are normally flanked with side tables and lamps. I would like to know how she dressed her walls with silk fabric and how she draped her curtains. Suzanne Kasler, the author of Timeless Style and Inspired Interiors uses similar neutral color palette as Alexa, except she cleverly uses stronger colors with her neutrals; with just a touch of orange in a chair, upholstered coffee table and lamps transferred the palette into something more pretty and bright. To me, there are less layering in Suzanne’s work, for example her walls are sometimes rather stark, although her one of a kind selection of furniture, accessories, be it a wall mirror, art pieces or carvings, are resourceful and outstanding. Suzanne lets her curtains rest on the floor and slightly crumpled, and the books on the shelves haphazardly arranged. Both designers are a class of their own and both have succeeded in achieving comfortable spaces that are visually harmonious.

Decorating in Detail is a wonderful book design book. If you just like to flip through and look at beautiful interiors you will not be dissatisfied. The houses are far better in this book than her last one, and I think there is a better stylistic range of houses as well. For those that read your design books this one has text worth reading. Which if you have any experience at all reading design books you know how rare that is, as the text in most design books is pretty much worthless. I also like that she shows one house/apartment at a time so you may get a full understanding of the house. So many design books have the photos all jumbled and it is a pain to have to flip back and forth to piece the house together. I would also like to point out I don't think these houses have been published before save one (of course I could wrong). I think it makes the book even more enjoyable because you see fresh residences. It's not a redundant been there seen that already book. If you like design that tends to be traditional and always classically based you will enjoy Decorating in Detail.

This book is a "must have" for the design enthusiast. Ms. Hampton has out-done herself again in this fantastic book. Although most of her rooms are based on traditional style, there are several homes that include more contemporary elements, but ones that still look inviting and sophisticated. Even her more contemporary-styled rooms have character and warmth, rather than the austere, mid-century modern style that seems to be frequently illustrated by todays' designers. I highly recommend this book because even if you enjoy very contemporary design, you can still take away color combinations and furniture style, and pare-down your rooms to fit your own personal taste. Ms. Hampton has certainly inherited her great, late father's design sense!!

It was great. I knew her Dad. He was possibly the best Interior Designer of our time. He did a line of furniture for Hickory Chair. My best friend was the C E O and the relationship between Mark and Hickory was great.