enfilades
The classic enfilade—a series of rooms with doorways aligned along a single axis that affords views from one end of a structure to the other—has its roots in historic palaces like Versailles, where the procession of spaces could be used to denote rank; only the noblest of courtiers would be granted access to the farthest, most intimate sanctums of the king or queen. While no longer a function of royal protocol, an enfilade still bestows a regal kind of grace. It’s a fitting showcase for architectural features such as arches, moldings, and vaults, and can be an excellent way of highlighting a fabulous view—there’s something enchanting about a front door that offers a peek of crashing waves beyond the backyard. The technique can even extend into the garden, with hedges for walls, gravel for floors, and a lushly framed stone statue in the distance beckoning visitors to walk on.
Black-and-white floors and chinoiserie panels provide a sense of progression in a Dallas apartment by Cathy Kincaid.
In Beverly Hills, Daniel Cuevas uses lanterns and a far-reaching vista to highlight cross vaults.
