Dorothy draper colors and signature style sensational color. The lobby of the hampshire house, completed in 1937. Carleton varney on teaching dorothy drapers design the. Hostess with the mostes jitters the new york times. Jul 01, 2015 dorothy draper s exuberant, saturated color schemes, a riot of chartreuse, crimson, sky blue, and shiny black, were quite the opposite. She had a monthly column in good housekeeping magazine and decorated luxury hotels such as the greenbrier in west virginia, along with restaurants, nightclubs, houses, apartment buildings, stores, and airplanes.
Draper was born to a wealthy and privileged family in 1889, in one of the most exclusive communities in american history, tuxedo park, ny. Interior decorator dorothy draper, who was en vogue in the first half of the 20th century, has come back to the forefront of style. Feb 7, 2012 this pin was discovered by jennifer pearce. Dorothy draper was born to a wealthy and privileged family in 1889, in one of the most exclusive communities in american history, tuxedo park. Jun 23, 20 i love dorothy her designs are classic and timeless. This chapter explores the relationship between dorothy draper and the american middle. Gently used dorothy draper furniture up to 50% off at chairish. Interior design it is just as disastrous to have the wrong accessories in your room as it is to wear sport shoes with an evening dress. Dorothy draper, the decorator credited with having turned the art of interior design into a profession way back in the early 1900s when no one ever heard of a school of interior design, loved flowers, particularly roses. Stylistically very antiminimalist, she would use bright, exuberant colors and large prints that would encompass whole walls.
Some of the color schemes and fabrics seemed righteously wackadoodle, however upon several internet searches for word references or in 40s interior design, yielded splendid visuals of the motifs she described. Dorothy drapers advocacy of design as an essential part of life helped to. See more ideas about design, interior design and interior. Decorating is fun is also a serious book about decorating that does not take itself too seriously. Dorothy tuckerman draper was far from the average upper east side. Dorothy drapers books and her hotel designs belong to opposite ends.
Not only did she start the first interior design company in the united states, she was a celebrity in her own righther name was synonymous with all things interior design in the 1940s and 50s. Sep 20, 2014 explore rutherfordss board interior design classics. Carleton varney talks dorothy draper, presidential style, and. Last year varney replaced an aquablueandwhite trellis wallpaper in the lower lobby, where guests register, with two sets of zuber murals. Dorothy draper created the most beautiful, lavish american interior design from a most nostalgic period. Inside 1930s designer dorothy drapers riotously colorful world. Dorothy draper americas most fabulous decorator et. The drapery cornices are an original dorothy draper design. Last year varney replaced an aquablueandwhite trellis wallpaper in the lower lobby, where guests register, with two sets of zuber. Dorothy draperamericas most fabulous decorator varney. After being out of print for many years, decorating is fun is being republished with its original illustrations and a new introduction by drapers protege, designer carleton varney. Since 1925, we have been creating design for interiors, furnishings, fabrics and accessories that excite and delight.
Really enjoyed this book and the history on dorothy draper, oh to have been there and seen her designs in the flesh would have been magnificent. His writing career began in high school and continues into his professional career. In addition to being wooed by the indoor movie theater inside a hotel. She believed that though there were troubles in the world, ones home should be a refuge, a cheerful place for entertaining ones friends and a colorful and comfortable shelter from the storm. Apr 09, 2010 before martha stewart was martha stewart the megabrand, good housekeepings design director, dorothy draper, was the doyenne of decorating. See more ideas about design, house design and interior design. Our own line of distinctive fabrics and wallcoverings includes heritage dorothy draper designs as well as new collections from carleton varney and brinsley. He is also founder of carleton v ltd, carleton varney by the yard, and dorothy draper fabric and wallcoverings. Amazingly, the book is still practical, amusing and inspirational. Shop exclusive products from design icons dorothy draper and carleton varney, including books, home accessories such as throw pillows in our exclusive prints, scarves, lighting, and gifts.
Those who are not members of the design industry, however, may be unaware that mr. Carleton varney on teaching dorothy drapers design the new. The greenbriers famous facade symbolizes the very grandest resort experience in america the foundation of which is its lavish decor and worldfamous dorothy draper interior design. Dorothy draper was the one who made decorating and design a business, varney says of draper, the original. Draper s earnest enthusiasm feels fresh and contemporary. Draper was the inventor of the still celebrated style of american baroque, bringing a modern flare to a classical style. Dorothy draper interiors pictures design and style of. Shop exclusive products from design icons dorothy draper and carleton varney, including books, home accessories such as throw pillows in our exclusive. See why dorothy draper is americas most fabulous interior. Jun 30, 2016 a musthave for fans and followers of both dorothy draper and carleton varney. In her heyday, dorothy draper 18891969 was the most famous decorator in america. Both books highlight the style that made dorothy draper an. This book is recommended for those interested in the history of interior design.
Inside 1930s designer dorothy drapers riotously colorful. Before martha stewart was martha stewart the megabrand, good housekeepings design director, dorothy draper, was the doyenne of decorating. Dorothy draper was a pioneer in interior design, dominating the field from 1925 to 1960 when she was named the most influential tastemaker in america. May 01, 2006 dorothy draper was to decorating, says interior designer carleton varney, what chanel was to fashion. Dorothy draper has been called the original martha stewart. Jan 26, 2012 those who are not members of the design industry, however, may be unaware that mr.
Carleton varney is the author of numerous books, mostly on decoration and interior design, and has also written a biography of dorothy draper entitled, the. Our founder, dorothy draper, was the first to professionalize interior design as a profession and her work continues to inspire today. I wanted to see big, richincolor, photography of as many examples of her work as possible, and this large coffeetable sized book does not ddisappoint. She is mostly known for her design in large public spaces, including the carlyle hotel in new york and the greenbrier in west virginia. Draper, nee dorothy tuckerman, was born in 1889 in tuxedo park, new york, an enclave of longestablished wealth. A beautiful reproduction of the original book published in 1939 filled with tips, advice and anecdotes on decorating that still ring true today a musthave for fans and followers of both dorothy draper and carleton varney after being out of print for many years, decorating is fun is being republished with its original illustrations and a new introduction by drapers protege. It only seems appropriate at this giftgiving time of year to suggest what i feel are the five musthaves for any serious design library.
Decorating is fun how to be your own decorator by dorothy. A retrospective at the museum of the city of new york called. For those who love inspirational design ideas for inside and outside their home. See more ideas about design, interior design and white sulphur springs. Famed decorator carleton varney shares the greenbriers. She shot to fame with her 1939 book, decorating is fun. See more ideas about design, american interior and modern baroque. She incorporated black and white tiles, rococo scrollwork, and baroque plasterwork, design elements now considered definitive of. Varney decided the time was right to comb the firms archives and publish a book. All hail dorothy draper, the duchess of decorating.
President carleton varney says about the legendary decorator and author. Dorothy draper november 22, 1889 march 11, 1969 was an american interior decorator. Pinned from robin baron design dorothy draper modern baroque, american interior. Inspirational books about stylish and elegant homes. Since 1925, we have been creating designs for interiors, furnishings, accessories, and fabrics that excite and delight. The newly styled offices of the greenbrier showcase traditional dorothy draper design contrasting fabrics and patterns in the wall covering, carpeting, settee and cushions, and bright colors. The life of dorothy draper 18891969 reads like an old hollywood movie. Mar 21, 2012 dorothy has two books, decorating is fun. There are style icons, and then there is dorothy draper, the ladylike interior designer who famously draperized some of americas most important buildings. Design advice from americas first interior decorator. Dorothy tuckerman draper was far from the average upper east side society matron.