Varney and former wife, suzanne, are parents of three boys. Dorothy draper was born in 1889 to the wealthy tuckerman family in new york and married dr. She wrote a column, ask dorothy draper, that appeared in hearstowned newspapers across the country. During world war ii it was used as a military hospital. Mar 15, 2006 this month, a new coffeetable book, in the pink. For those who love inspirational design ideas for inside and outside their home. Dorothy draper, americas most fabulous decorator, is coming out, and a retrospective at the museum of the city of new york called the high. Named after the founder of the company dorothy draper, who was the doyenne of interior design from the 1920s to the 1960s. Dorothy draper, who started her business in the 1920s, worked not only on residential projects. Inside 1930s designer dorothy drapers riotously colorful. Dorothy draper was to decorating, says interior designer carleton varney, what chanel was to fashion. Nicholas varney, designer of fine jewelry, sebastian varney, president of carleton v ltd. Draper is responsible for both the physical form and the style of her products, in this case, a finished interior or her advice in a written text. And her client friends loved what came to be known as the draper touch.
Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Tall, beautiful and unflaggingly confident, she set up her own interior design business in. Dorothy draper design greenbrier hotel a bit christmasy cutesy, but still dramatically resort chic. She believed that though there were troubles in the world, ones home should be a refuge, a cheerful place for entertaining ones friends and a colorful and comfortable shelter from the storm. Dorothy draper was born to a wealthy and privileged family in 1889, in one of the most exclusive communities in american history, tuxedo park. Dorothy draper, americas most fabulous decorator, is coming out, and a retrospective at the museum of. The life of dorothy draper 18891969 reads like an old hollywood movie. They might make a case for elsie dewolfe, who had banished heavy dark furnishings and finishes from lateedwardian era rooms, or plump for sister parish, and her easeful gentrified look. Before martha stewart was martha stewart the megabrand, good housekeeping s design director, dorothy draper, was the doyenne of decorating.
At this time in history, her marriage could have dictated her path in life as society wife, however dorothy had other ideas. She shocked the design world in 1937 when she decorated the thirtysevenstory hampshire house apartment hotel on central park south in new york city, delivering a project that became indicative of her signature touch baroque fantasy. Dorothy draper, with a convair executive, working on the design for their airplane interiors quintandinha. I didnt realize until years later how meaningful it was that he had given me this book and the influence it. Both books highlight the style that made dorothy draper an. Dorothy draperamericas most fabulous decorator varney, carleton on. She designed hotels, theaters, department stores, corporate offices and the homes of a lucky few. Stylistically very antiminimalist, she would use bright, exuberant colors and large prints that would encompass whole walls. Dorothy draper november 22, 1889 march 11, 1969 was an american interior decorator.
Mar 29, 2017 carleton varney talks dorothy draper, presidential style, and more. The state suite in the west virginia wing of the greenbrier in white sulphur springs, west virginia. She lavishes many of these patterns on her dramatic interiors for the iconic greenbrier hotel. Drapers earnest enthusiasm feels fresh and contemporary. Dorothy draper after being out of print for more than sixty years, decorating is fun.
Few would argue with the statement that dorothy draper was the most influential american interior decorator of the past century. Carleton varney talks dorothy draper, presidential style. This is a book about how to have a good time decorating. Dorothy draper style at the greenbrier the greenbrier resort, a national historic landmark in white sulphur springs, west virginia, has hosted distinguished guests from around the. See more ideas about design, house design and interior design. The draper touch design luminary dorothy draper s lush, bold sense of color and scale marks her numerous collections for schumacher. May 01, 2006 dorothy draper was to decorating, says interior designer carleton varney, what chanel was to fashion. One of dorothy drapers most famous designs was the greenbrier hotel in white sulphur springs, west virginia. Dorothy tuckerman draper was far from the average upper east side society matron. Carleton varney talks dorothy draper, presidential style, and more on the occasion of his 34th book launch, ad catches up with the legendary designer by hadley kelle r. In addition to being wooed by the indoor movie theater inside a hotel. She incorporated black and white tiles, rococo scrollwork, and baroque plasterwork, design elements now considered definitive of the hollywood regency style of interior decoration. It was especially significant to me because as a child, my father had given me the book. Dorothy drape r redecorated her homes with such style that other high society friends began to ask her to do the same for their homes, and thus her decorating business began.
Dorothy draper interiors pictures design and style of. Dorothy draper has been called the original martha stewart. Dorothy draper created the most beautiful, lavish american interior design from a most nostalgic period. Amazingly, the book which was originally published in 1939 on the eve of world war ii. A retrospective at the museum of the city of new york called. Important, rare original watercolor rendering painting by.
Born in 1937 as carleton bates varney in lynn, ma, he spent his childhood in nahant, massachusetts. President carleton varney says about the legendary decorator and author. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Dorothy draper colors and signature style sensational color. An interiors company was an unheard of at the time and the idea of a woman running a business, well in 1923 that was just crazy talk. Dorothy draper, americas most fabulous decorator, is coming out, and a retrospective at the. She redecorated their first home, and it was received with such overwhelming enthusiasm that it was shortly sold, completely furnished. As carleton varney writes in the biography of his mentor, the draper touch, she revolutionized the concept of design by breaking away from the historical period room styles that dominated the work of her predecessors and contemporaries. Dorthy draper in the early she was the martha stewart of her day. Adore this cover of dorothy drapers decorating is fun. Interior decorator dorothy draper, who was en vogue in the first half of the 20th century, has come back to the forefront of style. Those who are not members of the design industry, however, may be unaware that mr.
Dorothy draper was a pioneer in interior design, dominating the field from 1925 to 1960 when she was named the most influential tastemaker in america. After the war the chesapeake and ohio railroad repurchased the property and dorothy draper was retained to redecorate the entire resort. This book was published on the eve of world war ii and is still practical. She is the only interior designer to have had a major, solo museum retrospective of her work, receiving over 1 million visitors in 2006. Dorothy draper style at the greenbrier eye for design. Dorothy drapers greenbrier design sb long interiors. She simply came from the right people, and she let others know it her whole life. See why dorothy draper is americas most fabulous interior. Apr 09, 2010 before martha stewart was martha stewart the megabrand, good housekeeping s design director, dorothy draper, was the doyenne of decorating. With special articles by dorothy draper and others.
Our founder, dorothy draper, was the first to professionalize interior design as a profession and her work continues to inspire today. Tall, beautiful and unflaggingly confident, she set up her own interior design business in 1925 and a decade later. See more ideas about design, decor and modern baroque. She incorporated black and white tiles, rococo scrollwork, and baroque plasterwork, design elements now considered definitive of. She preferred working on large commercial projects and products. Shop exclusive products from design icons dorothy draper and carleton varney, including books, home accessories such as throw pillows in our exclusive prints, scarves, lighting, and gifts. Dorothy tuckerman draper was far from the average upper east side. The first american interior designer to become a household name, dorothy draper was the mid20th centurys martha stewart. Dorothy draper designgreenbrier hotel a bit christmasy cutesy, but still dramatically resort chic.
Book cover designbook designbooks to readmy booksentry way designgrande. Since 1925, we have been creating design for interiors, furnishings, fabrics and accessories that excite and delight. Not only did she start the first interior design company in the united states, she was a celebrity in her own righther name was synonymous with all things interior design in the 1940s and 50s draper was a glamorous woman with fine taste. I wanted to see big, richincolor, photography of as many examples of her work as possible, and this large coffeetable sized book does not ddisappoint. The chapter focuses on two values of particular importance to the middle class during the first half of the 20th century. Carleton varney talks dorothy draper, presidential style, and.
As an artist she was a modern, one of the first decorators of the breed, and a pioneer. The greenbriers famous facade symbolizes the very grandest resort experience in america the foundation of which is its lavish decor and worldfamous dorothy draper interior design. Jun 30, 2016 a musthave for fans and followers of both dorothy draper and carleton varney. A musthave for fans and followers of both dorothy draper and carleton varney. Reclaimed oak best floor for dogs bold colors on the floor and furniture with floral design. Not only did she start the first interior design company in the united states, she was a celebrity in her own righther name was synonymous with all things interior design in the 1940s and 50s. She took a world that was drab and dreary and made it colorful. Since 1925, we have been creating designs for interiors, furnishings, accessories, and fabrics that excite and delight. Amazingly, the book is still practical, amusing and inspirational. Decorating is fun is also a serious book about decorating that does not take itself too seriously. Dorothy drapers books and her hotel designs belong to opposite ends. Inside 1930s designer dorothy drapers riotously colorful world. They might make a case for elsie dewolfe, who had banished heavy dark furnishings and finishes from lateedwardian era rooms, or.
All hail dorothy draper, the duchess of decorating. She had style, she had a new way of thinking about interiors, and she was going to do something about it. Follow dorothy draper and explore their bibliography from s dorothy draper author page. This chapter explores the relationship between dorothy draper and the american middle. Her bold mixing of colors, however, and her surreal sense of scale made her a true artist of the design world. Really enjoyed this book and the history on dorothy draper, oh to have been there and seen her designs in the flesh would have been magnificent. Dec 30, 2012 the drapers had three children, and dorothy draper pursued her passion of home decorating.
Dorothy draper design the greenbrier hotel, west virginia. The draper effect the exuberantly antiminimalist interior. Carleton varney on teaching dorothy drapers design the. Jan 26, 2012 those who are not members of the design industry, however, may be unaware that mr. Carleton varney on teaching dorothy drapers design the new. Last year varney replaced an aquablueandwhite trellis wallpaper in the lower lobby, where guests register, with two sets of zuber murals.
The draper effect the exuberantly antiminimalist interior designer. Jul 01, 2015 dorothy tuckerman draper was far from the average upper east side society matron. Big florals, bold stripes, bright hues, and ornate details are drapers signature style. Decorating is fun how to be your own decorator by dorothy. Perfect gift for the newly wed or first home buyer as well as anyone who is interested in interior design. Since 1925, we have been creating designs for interiors, furnishings, accessories, and.
Draper was born to a wealthy and privileged family in 1889, in one of the most exclusive communities in american history, tuxedo park, ny. Dorothy draper s advocacy of design as an essential part of life helped to establish. Dorothy draper photographed by cecil beaton, vogue, december 1937 if youre ever feeling intimidated or overwhelmed by the world of interior design, take. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. She shot to fame with her 1939 book, decorating is fun. This book was published on the eve of world war ii. Within a decade or so, in 1925, she turned this knack for interior design and her voluminous address book of architects, contractors and craftsmen into a business she could run from home called the architectural clearing house, later renamed dorothy draper co. The drapery cornices are an original dorothy draper design. An extraordinary find, this original watercolor and gouache rendering of a hotel or apartment building lounge by dorothy draper captures all the hallmark features that she is famous for. Amazingly, the book which was originally published in 1939 on the eve of world war ii, is still practical, amusing, and inspirational. Jul 16, 2012 dorothy draper created the most beautiful, lavish american interior design from a most nostalgic period. My own minor gripe is with the book designers typography. New york magazines list of key elements of dorothy draper design.
Dorothy draper, americas most fabulous decorator, by carleton varney, lavishly illustrates. After being out of print for many years, decorating is fun is being republished with its original illustrations and a new introduction by drapers protege, designer carleton varney. She designed car interiors with packard and chrysler. The illustrious carleton varney and his team will host an.