One of the most important and influential interior designers and tastemakers of the late twentieth century,David Hicks turned .English decorating on its head in the 50sand 6Os with his bold use .of color, eclecticism,and geometric designs in darpets and textiles. His trademark use of electrifying color combinations,combined with mixing antiques and modern furniture and abstract paintings became the in-style for the chic of the day,and earned him a prominent place in the history of interior design.

This definitive volume, part personal history,part stunningly illustrated compendium of his work,traces the entire arc of his life and career, from his childhood inEssex to his early commissions, marnage to Lady Pamela Mountbatten, and the increasingly glamorous circles in which he socialized. ...

Part I

 Almost a Miracle, 1929

 Lord Essex, 1936

 Endings and Beginnings, 1944

 Art School and a First Journey, 1945

 Sergeant Hicks, 1947

Part II

 Back in the World, 1949

 The First House, 1952

 A Career Begins, 1953

 Hicks and Parr, 1955

 America, 1957

Part III

 Pamela Mountbatten, 1959

 Meeting the Mountbattens, 1959

 Britwell, 1960

 Starting Afresh, 1960

Part IV

 Egypt, Britwell, and India, 1961

 St Leonards Terrace, 1962

 Africa, Petulia, and Iris, 1964

 Roquebrune, 1966

Part V

 New York, 1968

 Touring America, 1970

 Europe, 1971

 Gotterdammerung, 1972

Part VI

 Baronscourt, 1975

 Master of the Salters, 1976

 The Last Flourish, 1976

 The End of the Dream, 1977

 The Last Sunset, 1979

Part VII

 Living with Design, 1979

 A Wedding, 1981

 Travelling Onward, 1983

 Vila Verde, 1987

Part VIII

 Into the Garden, 1988

 The Sixtieth Birthday Present, 1989

 The End of Another Dream, 1992

 The Last Years, 1995

 The End, 1998