Week 11

 Rise of the Decorator 

Gina Christopher

During this time period there was a high need for professional to help with outfitting the interiors of the wealthy class’s homes. Before interior decoration, architects would hire craftsmen to complete elements of the interior design. The job of an interior decorator was to furnish an interior including furniture, art, floor covering, accessories and any other aspects needed. Elsie de Wolfe is to be thanked for paving the way for women to enter the interior design profession. It is known noted that while 18 percent of architects are women 69 percent of interior designers are women. Now more than ever women are taking the lead in the field of interiors. The top 5 more famous interiors designers to date are Dorothy Draper, Francis Elkins, Petra Blaisse, Clodagh, and Laura Day. In my blog this week I will address some of these astonishing women and my favorite works of theirs. 

My favorite designers/designs 

Dorothy Draper 

Dorothy Draper was an American interior decorator with no education but solely great social connects, She utilized traditional furniture in non-traditional ways. Her designs style is very fun and visually appealing. She is known for her dramatic use of black and white walls, flooring, and upholstery. She took inspiration from modern Baroque styles. Some key characteristics in her designs are large public spaces, strips mixed with chintz fabric, vibrant colors, bold plastered moldings, and unique floor combinations. Some of her most influential projects are The Greenbrier Hotel, New York City’s Hampshire House, and Camilla Restaurant in the Drake Hotel in Chicago. These are pictured below in order. I really like her use of floor patters and open space.

Clodagh 

Clodagh is an American designer from Ireland. She specializes in design. That makes use of natural materials and Biophilic design principles, which is one of my favorite design principles. She uses Fen Shui principles to achieve a tranquil feeling. Her work is all about the human feeling experience and how the impact of design affects the well being of people. Some of her famous works include hotel and residences in Florida, and the white horses spa in Ireland. I really enjoy her use of lighting in her designs. 

Laura Day

Laura Day went to the New York school of Design. She is a well known residential designer in New York. She focuses on the classic traditional style, creating fresh and clean interiors. She also does a lot of house flipping and remodeling. Some of her famous works include Laura Day design in SOHO, TLC’s trading spaces and Home Depot’s table for DIFFAS’s Dining by Design. I really like the simplicity and cleanliness she achieves in her designs, as well as subtle pops of color.

Current Applications (Women Designers and Designs)

One Step Further 

Elsie de Wolfe 

Elsie de Wolfe started her career as an actress and then turned to interior design after redecorating her home. In 1901 she formed her own company. She rebelled against the traditional Victorian Era home interior style and restored Victorian interiors into light and bright spaces using French furniture. She proposed that the residential home should reflect the woman of the home’s personality and her design style became an ultimate blueprint for modern residential design. She aimed to create a feeling of comfort, beauty, and practicality in her designs through the use of fresh colors, white walls, white furniture, animal prints, garden inspiration, mirrors, and quality lighting. Below are some of her designs that I really enjoy!