Dorothy Draper

Dorothy Draper

Dorothy Draper (1889-1969) was an influential American interior designer who pioneered the use of bright colors, bold patterns, and oversized prints in her signature style known as Modern Baroque. Born into a wealthy and prominent family in Tuxedo Park, New York, Draper's design career began in 1925 when she established the first interior design company in the United States, Architectural Clearing House. Her groundbreaking work transformed the interiors of iconic hotels, such as the Greenbrier in West Virginia and the Carlyle in New York City, as well as public spaces like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Arrowhead Springs Hotel in California. Draper's innovative use of vibrant colors, including her favorite Draper pink, and her fearless mixing of patterns and textures revolutionized the field of interior design. She believed in creating dramatic, eye-catching spaces that uplifted the human spirit and challenged the drab, monotonous interiors of the time. Draper's influence extended beyond her design projects; she authored popular design books, such as Decorating is Fun! and 365 Shortcuts to Home Decorating, which made her ideas accessible to a wider audience. Her legacy continues to inspire designers worldwide, cementing her status as one of the most important figures in the history of interior design.

Modern Baroque, color, pattern, interior design, 20th century

— Helen James