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.

What a fabulous book! Beautiful photos, fantastic looking houses, and as another reviewer mentioned, the text is actually worth reading! I liked it so much I went back and purchased her older book as well.

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!!

Love this book. Alexa Hampton is a wonderful decorator and she is able to design a home and guide the client to make the necessary choices so the home is a true reflection of the client and not the designer. This is a real talent and she is always able to give her finished room a truly unique look. It is a book I refer to a lot.