Classic Room- Dorothy Draper

Dorothy Draper certainly enjoyed a resurgence in 2006. She was the focus of an exhibit, was the subject of a new book, and became a newly hip design icon. And while many people may be a little tired of reading about her, DD reigns supreme for me. From the time I first became familiar with her work many years ago, Draper's style has always inspired me.

While I love the drama and theatricality of her work at The Carlyle and The Greenbrier, I am most drawn to this room- her living room in her apartment at The Carlyle. Certainly Draper achieved a sense of drama here, but it was done in a more subtle way.

The rich aubergine-colored walls provided the perfect "Manhattan chic" backdrop to Draper's traditional furnishings. Draper was fortunate to have had many family heirlooms, including the portrait of her great-grandmother, the enormous china cabinet, and the Lowestoft china, all pictured here. What made this room so successful, though, is that she mixed these wonderful antiques with contemporary pieces, namely the low slung coffee table and the modern tufted rug. While this combination of traditional and modern is the norm today, it was rather revolutionary during Draper's time.

And in case you haven't yet noticed (although I'm sure you have!), there are two things in the room that truly scream Dorothy Draper- the floral chintz covered armchairs and the neo-baroque mantel. Can you imagine Draper living without both? I can't!

In Tents- Part 2: Richard Keith Langham does Palm Beach

Look at this chic little Palm Beach dining room done by Richard Keith Langham (featured in the Jan/Feb Southern Accents). Of course, the first thing that caught my eye was the tent awning on the ceiling (see my post from November 13 to see other interior tents). The soft pink and white strips contrast nicely against the pale blue walls. The same shade of pink is used in the drapes (I love the scroll work trim on the edges) as well as the coral and sea-horse sconces. The pelmet is the perfect crowning touch to the windows- notice the bells on either end of the pelmet. And although we've seen the Frances Elkins chairs used by many decorators, they really are perfect for this beach home. This room to me looks very "Dorothy Draper in Palm Beach"!

More Classic Design Books

Here are a few suggestions for classic books that would be great additions to any design library:


"Decorating is Fun!" and "Entertaining is Fun!" by Dorothy Draper. What can I say? Draper was the consummate cheerleader of decorating- one who taught women (and I'm sure many men too) that a lovely home was accessible to everyone. All it took was ingenuity and enthusiasm. In addition to the witty prose, there is also a lot of practical advice that is still pertinent today.





"The Finest Rooms by America's Greatest Decorators" edited by Katherine Tweed. First published in 1964, this book contains essays by the top decorators of that time- Billy Baldwin, Mcmillen Inc., Rose Cumming, and Michael Taylor. Great photos too!



"Tiffany Table Settings", published in 1960. I love this book, especially as it was the book that started my collection. There are photos of table settings designed by socialites and decorators. Included are tables designed by Billy Baldwin, Van Day Truex, and Valerian Rybar.

Stylish Sconces

I was just scanning the new additions to the 1st dibs website and was wowed by these sconces being sold at Chapman Radcliff.

While they may look a bit like theater props, I really like the feminine and whimsical design on the wooden background- a bit of Rococo! And the silver tole adds a splash of shine! They look like something that Dorothy Draper might have used in one of her early installations.