Week 11-Rise of the Decorator and Women in Interior Design.

 This week in History of Interiors we learned about the Rise of the Decorator and Women in Interior Design.  

In 1925 in Paris at a world fair, decorators were finally recognized as “One who creates an ensemble, chooses objects, combines objects and in doing so makes aesthetic choices”. Interior decorators were being hired to fully furnish interiors by “obtaining furniture, art, accessories, floor coverings, and any other aspect of creating a cohesive interior design plan”.  

With the growing need from the wealthy class increasing in this aspect, designers such as Elsie de Wolfe were hired. Wolfe an American actress, who received her degree, wrote a book, and opened the industry for women to become professionals. She rebelled against the Victorian Era, creating light bright spaces, often using French furniture, and embracing individual personality of her clients. She valued practicality, comfort, beauty, and quality lighting for each and every one of her designs.  

Inspired by gardens, her interiors used light colored walls, fresh colored fabrics, and mirrors to expand light even more. She truly despised all things Victorian that was a limited style with heavy materials.  

Another interior decorator was Dorthy Draper, who had no formal training, rather relying on her social connections, she had a fun appealing style that ignored tradition, creating the first ever design firm in America! On walls and floors, she often used black and white with clear vivid colors used throughout her designs. She was bold, working primarily on large public spaces with vibrant colors, mixing patterns, and plastered moldings.  

While this industry is primarily women, there are some male designers to note, such as Billy Baldwin. While he was willing to work with anyone from the middle to upper class, he limited color schemes and patterns, while also emphasizing personality. He reused client's furniture, creating eclectic designs, that were comfortable while being neat and tidy. His style seems plainer, using natural materials and colors to create beautiful designs.  

                                  (Billy Baldwin Interior)                                                       (Modern day Application) 

 

According to this week’s reading only 18% of architect are women while 69% of interior designers are women in the United States. While doing further research, these numbers have increased in recent years, historically women have always struggled to find a seat at the table in the industry. So, while women have always dominated this field, men are more likely to own an A-list firm and be considered more serious and lucrative.  

Five of the most famous interior designers still known today are Dorothy Draper, Francis Elkins, Petra Blaisse, Clodagh, and Laura Day. Dorothy Draper, as discussed earlier was an American Designer, opening the first interior design business in 1925, she was a wealthy socialite, who created vibrant interiors for hotels. By all means she was a maximalist, using bold colors and patterns to create a Hollywood Regency Style.  

Francis Elkins, the sister of architect David Adler, traveled with her brother learning from designers and architects to create her own style, working with Adler on homes all throughout California. Using blues, yellows, and whites, she strived for contrast with unity, using the occasional pattern.  

(Frances Elkins Interior- Loop Chair) (Modern Day Applications)

Petra Blaisse was a British designer educated in Interior Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and textiles. Blaisse worked as a museum curator, later starting her own firm in the 1990’s working with famous architects. Creating a smooth transition from interior to exterior she used large scale curtains and screens and high tech to create designs all throughout Europe.  

Clodagh is an American designer from Ireland, known for creating tranquil settings with the use of natural materials and biophilic principles. With a high respect for the natural environment, she has a strong focus on the well-being of a person.  

 
(Clodagh Bathroom) (Modern Day Application)

The last designer discussed is Laura Day, educated in New York, she flips houses with a fresh classic traditional style. She has worked for both TLC and with Home Depot.  

 

One Step Further:  

For this week’s one step further, I wanted to share about an influential designer that I watched growing up and helped me to realize that this is the profession I wanted to go into. This designer is Joanna Gaines. I first saw Joanna and her husband Chip on their show Fixer Upper on HGTV. Through the tv screen in my home I learned what a designer could be and all the fun and crazy that came with it. Joanna and her husband own many of their own businesses, product line featured in target, now their own television network, and have been featured in numerous talk shows and magazines. Joanna was truly my first introduction to Interior Design, and I don’t know if I would have entered this field without her show.