Blog Eight - Rise of the Decorator

 Rise of the Decorator

The rise of the Decorators began in 1925 at the World’s Fair in Paris. There were two main groups: the functionalists and the decorators. The decorators were known as “decorateur” or “ensemblier”, which means someone who chooses and combines objects to create an ensemble and makes aesthetic choices. Functionalists focused on form and theory. They did not promote the use of accessories and furnishings.

During this period, Interior Decorating was formed. There was a growing need for people who could design interior spaces to match the exterior design of the building. Interior Decorators at this time were mainly hired by wealthy people who wanted a design to reflect their wealth. 

Elsie de Wolfe

Elsie de Wolfe was an American actress who pursued Interior Decorating. She helped interior design become a separate entity from architecture and opened the way for women to enter the profession. She is known for restoring Victorian interiors into lighter and brighter spaces using French furniture. She rebelled against traditional Victorian styles and believed that a home’s interior design should reflect the woman of the house. She emphasized lighting and using exotic colors in spaces. 

Dorothy Draper

Dorothy Draper was an American interior designer who was known for her fun and appealing designs. Although she had no formal training, she was very successful. She used traditional furniture in non-traditional ways. She created America’s first design firm, which is still going today. She focused on public spaces using vibrant flashy colors. She also had a dramatic use of black and white on the walls of her designs. 

Billy Baldwin

Billy Baldwin studied briefly at Princeton, but had no formal design training. He mainly designed for the middle class but also had some famous clients. His style was usually described as neat, tidy, and snappy. He liked to use the existing furniture in a space and mix it with new furniture. Comfort was his primary focus. He used mainly neutral colors with materials like straw and bamboo. 

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Francis Elkins was one of the 5 most famous women of interior design. She had no formal education but traveled Europe with her brother, meeting famous architects and designers. Her brother was David Adler, an architect. She was one of the most influential designers of the 20th century. She collaborated with her brother on multiple projects. She focused on the color palette as the main point of unity and contrast within an interior. Her color palette usually consisted of blue, yellow, and white. She also appreciated the use of pattern.