Elsie De Wolfe ~ Inspiring Decorator

Elsie De Wolfe

Elsie De Wolfe has been described as the first lady of interior decoration. She was the first woman to create an occupation as a designer where none had existed before.

Elsie De Wolfe was born in 1865 and did not begin her career as an interior decorator until she was 40. Her earlier years were spent as a stage actress, not the most favorably looked upon occupation of a lady from the Victorian era.

In Elsie's time, houses were decorated in high Victorian style; gloomy decors, densely patterned wallpapers and heavy velvet drapes were replaced with rooms that were painted in light, fresh colors or wallpapered in Chinoiserie prints. Elsie said, "I opened the doors and windows of America and let the air and sunshine in."

She loved the look of 18th centry English and French furnishings, choosing (for the first time in America) softly upholstered chairs, which someone could actually sit comfortably in. By removing most of the clutter (that some refer to as ugly) that accompanied the Victorian style of decorating, she opened spaces up for entertaining. It has been said that Elsie De Wolfe introduced society to the cocktail party and the small intimate dinner party.

An Elsie De Wolfe room

It was Elsie who introduced the comfortable chaise lounge, delicate writing tables, potted palms and Persian rugs. She replaced grim Victorian era wall art and pictures with delicately framed mirrors in silver and gold gilded frames. She also brought in faux finish treatments and animal prints. Sounds to me like a woman ahead of her time!

Elsie De Wolfe was not considered a "beauty", but she kept fit, dressed well and stayed healthy. Her personal presentation was impeccable. Her decorative influence was the first to sell a concept that revolved around lifestyle.

An Elsie De Wolfe room

Elsie De Wolfe has said, "I was an ugly child and I lived in an ugly age. From the moment I was conscious of ugliness, my one preoccupation was to find my way out of it. In my escape, I came to the meaning of beauty."

What a fascinating woman she must have been!

Dorothy Draper ~ Inspiring Decorator

Photo courtesy of www.dorothydraper.com

"Don't just stand there knowing your room needs a pick-me-up. Do something!" ~ Dorothy Draper.

One of my all time favorite interior decorators is Dorothy Draper. I think what I admire most about her is that she became a businesswoman in a time when it was not the norm, and she was very good at it too! Dorothy Draper received no formal schooling in interior design and decorating - in fact, she had no schooling for it at all and was self-taught.

Dorothy Draper was born into influence and married into it as well, when she married Dr. George Draper in 1912. She decorated her homes in such style that her society friends asked her to decorate theirs. She not only did residences but hotels as well, some of which still bear her trademark designs.

Her no-nonsense quote above is one of my favorites and is on my website; perhaps to give that little nudge to a potential client that wants to do something, but is not sure.

I also love the fact that the book In The Pink Dorothy Draper does incorporate one of the colors I utilize in my logo, website and blog; and a color that best compliments people's coloring (it's pink, in case you couldn't guess!).

Photo courtesy of www.dorothydraper.com

Copyright 2009 Kathy Passarette, Creative Home Expressions

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