The Mother of All Interiors: Dorothy Draper

“Dorothy Draper was to decorating, what Chanel was to fashion. The woman was a genius; there’d be no professional decorating business without her”

– Carleton Varney, Interior Designer

 

Dorothy Draper was a pioneer in the field of Interior Design and is often credited with opening the first Interior Design company in 1925 called the Architectural Clearing House. This was quite the feat for a woman in the 20’s –  pioneering an entire profession in a male dominated workforce takes incredible vision and drive. With her exquisite taste and bold design aesthetic, Draper enlivened an otherwise drab design community while inspiring a generation of housewives to express themselves through design.

 

Dorothy Draper Quote

 

Draper’s design aesthetic is often referred to as “Modern Baroque” or “American Baroque”  – a style of design attributed to her use of classical pieces mixed with bold, statement color palettes and patterns. Her style, while incredibly glamorous, was often eclectic and loud; high contrast colors (often black and white) and large-scale colorful patterns were effortlessly juxtaposed in her most iconic work.

 

Dorothy Draper Dining Room

Dorothy Draper Dining Room

 

Dorothy Draper Powder Room

Dorothy Draper Powder Room
via pictureofelegance

 

Dorothy Draper-esque Living Room

Dorothy Draper-esque Living Room
via designcrisis

 

Dorothy Draper’s Greenbrier Hotel Stair

Dorothy Draper Greenbrier Hotel Stair
via cottontuckdesignstudio

 

Draper Style Entryway With Bold Stripes

Draper Style Entryway With Bold Stripes
via housebeautiful

 

Dorothy Draper Sitting Room

Dorothy Draper Sitting Room
via eclecticlivinghome

 

Dorothy Draper “Brazilliance” Wallpaper

Dorothy Draper Brazilliance Wallpaper
via shopsocietysocial

 

Dorothy Draper Inspired Bathroom

Dorothy Draper Inspired Bathroom
via housebeautiful

 

Dorothy Draper Spiral Stair

Dorothy Draper Spiral Stair
via flikriver

 

 

 

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