Rise of the Decorator

Art Deco and the rise of the interior Decorator

by: Katie Kaywood

 

 

Contributors to the World's Fair fell into two distinct categories, functionalists and decorators. This rise began in Paris during the art deco period. Interior decorators were growing and in need of wealthy class people for houses that reflected status, including professionals to help with outfitting the interiors. Three prominent and influential designers helped with the rise of interior decorating.

 

Elsie de wolfe did just that, she restored Victorian interiors into light and bright spaces using French furniture and helped interior design become a separate entity from architecture.

 

Her motto is: "I want to make everything around me beautiful- that will be my life"

 

Another woman that helped with interior design is Dorothy Draper. She used traditional furniture and used it in a non-traditional way helping add a fun and appealing style. She was well known for her dramatic use of black and white on walls, floors and upholstery. You could say her style was known as "modern baroque." One of her most well known pieces of art was the Greenbrier Hotel.

 

 

 

Lastly Billy Baldwin, in the rise of decorating/decorators he was a big influential person. He designed for the middle class as well as many famous architects. He disdained the florid, baroque and rococo in favor for a more clean cut, hard edged and pared-down design.

 

Billy Baldwin's motto is: "Nothing is interesting unless it is personal."

 

Current Applications:

 

After reading Natalie and Justine's blog I was more knowledgeable about Elsie and Dorothy and what they did for the community. They wrote books and opened schools helping make interior decorating that much more important and well known today.

 

For more information On Dorothy Draper's designs you can watch this video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7_cycJBTPg