Originally published in the United States in slightly different form by Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC, in 1989.

When On Decorating was published in 1989, it immediately became a touchstone for design profesionals and enthusiasts. Since then, the ideas and illustrations within these pages have inspired countless room schemes, vignettes, and color palettes. Mark Hampton's expert insights into the creation of elegant rooms, and his remarkably immediate voice, remain just as relevant today. Posthumously celebrated by Architectural Digest as "one of the wold's twenty greatest designers of all time," Hampton regarded every design project as a collaboration. That same generosity of spirit pervades this book, offering signature principles that can easily be applied to any home. In the Colors section, Hampton makes a convincing case fo using dark green as a neutral, and encourages readers not to fear painting walls red. In Plans, he explains the keys to arranging a living room that telegraphs comfort, not just refinement. In Materials, Hampton demonstrates how strongly patterned wallpaper can visually enlarge a small space, contrary to popular belief. Throughout this colleciton of essays, which were substantially expanded from his popular House & Garden columns, Hampton shares witty anecdotes and observations that render this education in home decoration a delight. Faithfully reproduced with his original, often-emulated watercolor illustrations and with an afterword by his duaghter, reowned designer Alexa Hampton, this beautiful reprint edition is a book to pore over, savor, and share.

At an early age, Alexa Hampton learned the language of good design, the vocabulary to speak it, and the elements that define it. As the daughter of interior design legend Mark Hampton, she traveled the world by her father’s side, touring the great architectural landmarks and discovering beauty, training her eye. Now one of America’s most influential designers herself, Alexa Hampton provides a tour of stunning residences from her own portfolio. Eighteen classic spaces illustrate in rich detail the elements that govern cultivated design—contrast, proportion, color, and balance. Among the residences are a landmark 1912 McKim, Mead & White restoration on Fifth Avenue in New York City; an eclectic house by the sea layered in textures, patterns, and colors; a contemporary apartment distinguished by simple geometry and clean lines; and Hampton’s own apartment, filled with an exquisite collection of architectural elements. Hampton also explains how she tailored each space to meet her clients’ needs while retaining a timeless aesthetic, and she provides design expertise on everything from fabric schemes to the particulars of paint. From a French neoclassical tour de force of architec-ture, artwork, and design to a Queen Anne summer cottage furnished to showcase the house’s graceful nineteenth-century dimensions, the spaces here speak the language of design—a language that, under Hampton’s tutelage, anyone can master.

The author puts together an authoritative collection of essays that cover virtually every facet of home decoration--from color selection and furniture to lighting and window dressing

Comfort is the essential element of a successful interior and the hallmark of the Parish-Hadley style. In Sister Parish Design, Libby Cameron, Sister's last protégé, and Susan B. Crater, Sister's granddaughter, explore this aspect and much more in a series of conversations with the leading decorators of today. Sister Parish is the iconic American decorator of her generation. Her use of flowered chintzes and overstuffed armchairs combined with unexpected items, like patchwork quilts and painted furniture, is credited with popularizing what is known as American Country–style during the 1960s. Her passion for bold color and mixed patterns invoked charm, imagination, and a lived-in look to her rooms. Her philosophy was to be unafraid and to put things together because you liked them--not because they matched. Filled with beautifully-rendered watercolor illustrations, Sister Parish Design is more than just a stunning book—it is an inspirational resource that all decorating aficionados will want to add to their bookshelf.

Mark Hampton, long regarded as the "First Decorator" for his work on the White House for former president George Bush, was one of America's most prominent interior decorators. His clients included Estée Lauder, the Saul Steinbergs, the Mike Wallaces, and the Henry Kissingers, to name only a few. For the people who knew him well, his reputation as a decorator was surpassed by his generosity as a friend. In his lifetime, Hampton painted hundreds of watercolors as gifts for the people who were closest to him. Mark Hampton: The Art of Friendship, by his widow, Duane Hampton, is a collection of 140 watercolors that reveal his wit, affection, and sophistication. The paintings are whimsical, lighthearted, yet richly beautiful. Even though he often painted while talking on the phone to business contacts, taking care of his daughters, or packing to leave for the weekend, Hampton managed to create lasting impressions of the most fleeting moments of life. Including birthday cards; valentines; Christmas greetings; travel studies; portraits of friends, family members, and pets; garden scenes; still lifes; and homages, this collection is a memorable reflection of a lifetime of friendship. Duane Hampton's introduction offers a loving and insightful portrait of her husband's life. Raised as a Quaker in a community of Friends in Indiana, Mark Hampton grew to understand that being a friend -- in the most universal sense -- is a vital part of our existence and is intimately linked with our everyday activities. He once wrote, "At least our private worlds can reward us with peace and pleasure." The watercolors in this collection prove that the rewards of the private world can be profound. Mark Hampton: The Art of Friendship is a striking testimonial to the enduring power of friendship and an endearing collection of Mark Hampton's most personal artwork.