WEDNESDAY'S WORD OF THE WEEK: ENFILADE

ENFILADE 

en·fi·lade [en-fuh-leyd -lahd] 

noun [en-fuh-leyd -lahd]  

1.    Architecture. an interconnected group of rooms arranged usually in a row with each room opening into the next.

2.   Military. gunfire directed from a flanking position along the length of an enemy battle line.

verb (used with object), en·fi·lad·ed, en·fi·lad·ing.

1.    Military. to attack with an enfilade.

Origin: 

1695–1705; < French, from enfiler to thread on a string, pierce from end to end, enfilade, from Old French, to thread, from en- 'in, on' + fil 'thread'.

The French word enfilade in architecture refers to a series of "salons" or rooms, formally aligned with one another, that provide a sweeping view through the entire suite of rooms. The enfilade served to organize space and vision and is a common feature found in many of France's grand palaces from the Baroque period. It is often used in museums and art galleries to help move large numbers of people from one place to another.

Palace of Versaille; The Grand Trianon Interior 

An enfilade also refers to a piece of furniture, usually a buffet, in which the cabinet doors reveal connected compartments in a row. It is a long buffet and must have at least three or more cupboard doors. Enfilades add stature to a room with their length and the fact that many are tall. 

Louis XV Enfilade. Circa 1900's. Solid Oak. Two Center Drawers and Four Carved Doors 
with Carved Apron Over Short Raised Cabriole Legs. Original Hardware. 

Interior of Louis XV Enfilade

Antique Spanish Enfilade. Circa 1920. Solid Oak. Four Hand Carved Drawers Over Four Padded Leather Doors
with Nailhead Trim. Original Leather. Raised on Inverted Cup Legs.  

Louis Philippe Enfilade. Circa 1890. Solid Walnut.
Three Drawers and Three Doors. Paris, France

The French prefer the higher ones to the lower ones and think nothing of serving off one that is over forty inches high. It's all about the look...not ease of use!

Á Bientôt!

Lolo & Mimi