Let's Discuss The Top Six
Most Influential Interior Designers
of the 20th Century-
The Designers Who Shaped New York City
and
The Field of Interior Design

After two decades of studying Interior design (both on my own led by my passion, working in the field for 20 years, and receiving an interior design degree from Parsons School of Design), I come away with a plethora of knowledge. I readily admit I do know quite a bit about this relatively new career in America and the Who's Who of the industry (now and then).

Today, I offer you a crash course, a short-cut read to glean those who most influenced our industry during the 20th century. By reading about these six interior designers and their careers, you will hold specific, helpful knowledge (enough to sound smart at a cocktail party) to understand the world of interior design, how it started here in New York, mostly burgeoning in the 20th century led by these designers. I write about how they created this industry, and even today, how they are still influencing our trends and homes and designs. There are more and I will elaborate in further posts, but this Six have left a mark on the design world, impacted the 20th century which was a fantastic time for interior design. 

• 1. Dorothy Draper (1889-1969):

•  renowned influential interior designer of the mid-20th century. 

• THE VIBE: bold use of color, large-scale patterns, and glam style. She designed many hotels and restaurants in the City as well as the infamous Greenbrier in West Virginia. 

• HER STYLE: combination of classical with modern elements, but with over the top color combinations and bold colors, exotic designs such as palms and botanicals and with an emphasis on Hollywood Regency style  

• Dorothy Draper

• Fefe's of Monte Carlo in NYC 1930's
• the Greenbrier Hotel
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• 2. Sister Parish (1910-1994): 

• As the founder of the Parish-Hadley design firm, she earned the title of one of the most well known female designers from the mid 20th century.

• THE VIBE:  She often incorporated antiques, traditional floral textiles (some say preppy) feel to create a lived-in, comfortable and old-world aesthetic.

• HER STYLE: Traditional, classic, comfortable, money'd, sophisticated

• Sister Parish
• yellow, oval room at the White House during JFK
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• 3. MY PERSONAL FAVORITE— Billy Baldwin (1903-1983):Baldwin has been referred to as the "the dean of American decorating."

• THE VIBE: fresh with a modern lens, this revered interior decorator’s work emphasized editing a space for a simple and functional aesthetic with punchy details, yet well thought out.  

• HIS STYLE: Fresh and Modern, a mix of traditional and modern together.  He drew some stylish clients including  Cole Porter and Jackie Kennedy Onassis.

• Billy Baldwin

• 4. Rose Cumming (1887-1968): She made a name for herself with her dramatic use of pattern and textiles and she bravely layered  pattern and color using lots of chintz fabric. 

• THE VIBE: Theatrical, layered with lots of florals and chintz.

• HER STYLE:  She popularized the use of English-style fabrics including chintz, influenced by the eccentricity of the theatre in her design style. 

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• 5. Elsie de Wolfe (1865-1950): called the “Lady Mendl” de Wolfe was a pioneer who helped to create the career of interior design and led a departure from the dark, Victorian era. A multi-talented woman, an American actress. a Blue-Cross nurse and philanthropist, she paved the way and many considered the first interior designer with prominent clients- The Vanderbilts, Anne Morgan and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and Henry Clay and Adelaide Frick. Later in life, she purchased the 18th century mansion at Versailles, Villa Trianon (which was built by Louis XV as a retreat. de Wolfe died at Villa Trianon.

• THE VIBE:. Light, almost French-style (to me), sophisticated and cultured.  She decorated the first, women’s private social club, The Colony Club  

• HER STYLE: light and airy, soft and feminine. She utilized mirrors, green and white stripes, pale and pastel colors, Rococo revival, Chinoiserie, Wicker and faux finishes on wallpaper.

• • Elsie de Wolfe
  • My Story on Chintz

• • Colony Club rendition by the late Mark Hampton of de Wolfe's bringing a green trellis indoors

• Mrs. Frick's Boudoir at the Frick
• sitting room at Villa Trianon
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• 6. Albert Hadley (1920-2012): a celebrated interior designer, a graduate of Parsons School of Design, he joined the school as faculty. , he was business partners with Sister Parish at Parish-Hadley. He helped to shape the American interior design world in the mid-20th century. Clients included Al and Tipper Gore, Babe Paley, Oscar and Annette de la Renta, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Diane Sawyer, Brooke Astor and the Getty family.

• THE VIBE: Through paint, lacquer, lighting, textures he added  unexpected twists to his traditional design.

• HIS STYLE: He played a significant role in shaping the American interior design landscape as a combination of a modernist and classicist taking from the Victorian and Georgian sensibilities.

• • Albert Hadley

  • via Lonny

  • Hadley's Life & Career, New York Times

• Brooke Astor's home in New York City