What Would Dorothy Draper Do?
Or, How to Channel America's Most Fabulous Decorator
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More »
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One of my favorite designers of all time is the iconic Dorothy Draper. Perhaps best known for her work at The Greenbrier, Ms. Draper had a long career during which she never shied away from color or fun. I look to her for perfectly expressed bon mots about decorating, as her quotes are timelessly applicable to all of our decorating issues today.
As Hollywood Regency style blew up a few years ago, and as The Greenbrier was remodeled with a careful eye on keeping the feel of Draper's original style, her work was rediscovered by a whole new generation of designers. The timely release of In the Pink: America's Most Fabulous Decorator by Carleton Varney helped us all look to her for inspiration. I pull it down every few months and delight in the vintage ads, beautiful room shots, and quotes from Dorothy.
When I look at these rooms, I could imagine that some of these designers might just have said "What Would Dorothy Draper do?" before they started their plans of attack. Let's look to these contemporary designers to see how to channel Dorothy - here are 20+ design elements that can help you get the Dorothy Draper look.
As Hollywood Regency style blew up a few years ago, and as The Greenbrier was remodeled with a careful eye on keeping the feel of Draper's original style, her work was rediscovered by a whole new generation of designers. The timely release of In the Pink: America's Most Fabulous Decorator by Carleton Varney helped us all look to her for inspiration. I pull it down every few months and delight in the vintage ads, beautiful room shots, and quotes from Dorothy.
When I look at these rooms, I could imagine that some of these designers might just have said "What Would Dorothy Draper do?" before they started their plans of attack. Let's look to these contemporary designers to see how to channel Dorothy - here are 20+ design elements that can help you get the Dorothy Draper look.
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FIRST IMPRESSIONS: A beautiful front door and symmetrical topiaries have great Draper style.
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TRELLIS: The Greenbrier required over 15,000 rolls of wallpaper. I think Dorothy would have approved of this vibrant green trellis pattern and intricate mirror.
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Speaking of trellis, here's a very sophisticated modern example of using a trellis moulding pattern.
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PINK, GREEN, and PALM LEAVES
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FLOOR TO CEILING CURTAINS: In a floral pattern - another Draper signature. The Greenbrier required over 45,000 rolls of fabric!
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ATTENTION TO SPECIAL LIGHT FIXTURES. This is the other view that goes with the two images above.
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ZEBRA: The zebra I have now started to associate more with Carleton Varney, Dorothy Draper's protege and the current head of The Dorothy Draper Company Inc.
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BOLD BOTANICAL FABRIC PRINTS
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GLORIOUS GARDENS
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DECADENT POOL HOUSES
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MATCHING TWIN BEDS
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THE DRESK: A bold botanical wallpaper and a "dresk" (dressing table/desk) - I think Dorothy invented the dresk when she designed the furniture for The Greenbrier.
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FEMININE: A frilly toile dressing table stool is pure Draper.
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BLANK WALLS ARE BORING: Smaller ornamental details like the one on this wall channel draper.
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FORMAL BUT COMFORTABLE DINING: A formal and traditional dining area with a bit of color and glitz is pure Draper.
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TURQUOISE HUES
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UPHOLSTERED CANOPIES: Lush bedding and scads of fabric
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HARLEQUIN: The striking harlequin pattern used in The Greenbrier will continue to inspire decorators for generations.
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WICKER: Do I even have to say it?
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STRIPES: No stripe was too bold for Draper.
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ESPANA COLLECTION FOR DREXEL HERITAGE. This iconic bureau design is one of the most sought-after draper designs.
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VERDANT GREEN, SET OFF BY BLACK AND WHITE. The symmetry of the lamps, horse sculpture and ornate mirror are pure Draper-inspired style.
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BIRD CAGES: Draper used these sculptural pieces as accessories.
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ADD A TREE: The Garden at Essex House's design revolved around fabulous, oversized, tree-shaped columns.
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The Combo - Pink walls, zebra rug, floral shade - I think Dorothy would have slept in here.
Comments
eyeseepretty says:
Great retrospective on Dorothy Draper. She was quite the design revolutionary for her time.
http://eyeseepretty.wordpress.com/
http://eyeseepretty.wordpress.com/
22 months ago ·
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gopg8r says:
My goodness ... BEAUTIFUL photos! I cannot imagine living in the "Pink, Green, and Palm Leaves" house!!! Stunning kitchen!!!!
22 months ago ·
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Kit Pollard says:
LOVE this ideabook! I hadn't seen a lot of these photos - I really like all those Elizabeth Dinkel rooms. Don't know how I've missed them in my Houzz browsing.
22 months ago ·
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Catherine Gardner says:
Thank you for putting this together. Dorothy Draper had so much style and I realize my mother's sense of style as a designer must have been heavily influenced by her. I am glad to see a return to this decorating style.
22 months ago ·
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Becky, I love this ideabook. Dorothy Draper's style...and so many of the rooms you've pictured here remind me of "old" Palm Beach. Such a stunning iconic look...these rooms will never feel trendy and never go out of style.
Thanks for including my front door in such a wonderful Ideabook! :)
Thanks for including my front door in such a wonderful Ideabook! :)
22 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
Thanks Susan - have you read Celerie Kemble's book? It's a great resource for Palm Beach inspired style and it's extremely well-written - one of the few coffee table books I've actually READ cover to cover!
22 months ago ·
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Becky...just took a gander on Amazon...looks like a great book! You can peruse A LOT of it on the Amazon site...thought I was reading via a Kindle there for second. ;) I have this llittle decorating book addicition, so this one will be going on the wish list. The decorating book that I have pretty much read cover to cover is, An Affair with a House, by Bunny Williams...I know you've heard of that one. I still love picking it up again and again. When they haul me off to the nursing home one day, I'll be clutching my decorating books. :)
22 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
Susan, that's been on my wish list forever but I've never bought it - thanks so much for the reminder! Billy Baldwin, Elsie de Wolfe, and Jonathan Adler are my all time favorite design writers - they all crack me up.
22 months ago ·
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I need to check into those. I recognize the names but I don't think I have any of their books.
22 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
Billy Baldwin Remembers is really great - not many pictures, just him telling tales, that include Garbo. The Dorothy Draper book is incredible - full of scribbles and notes and magazine shots - really well put together. And My Prescription for Anti Depressive Living by Jonathan Adler is absolutely hilarious.
22 months ago ·
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kindelfurniture says:
Dear Becky,
Are you aware that the Kindel Furniture Company produces a Dorothy Draper Collection? http://ow.ly/5obrG We make the Espana Bunching Chest today and know that you would enjoy viewing the Collection, 100% made in the USA.
Amy Wolbert, Kindel Furniture Company
Are you aware that the Kindel Furniture Company produces a Dorothy Draper Collection? http://ow.ly/5obrG We make the Espana Bunching Chest today and know that you would enjoy viewing the Collection, 100% made in the USA.
Amy Wolbert, Kindel Furniture Company
11 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
I did not know that; thanks for the tipoff. Your furniture is beautiful!
11 months ago ·
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kindelfurniture says:
Thank you, Becky. I loved how you captured Dorothy Draper's style in some current images. You have defined her aesthetic so well. Kindel has worked with Dorothy Draper, Inc and Carleton Varney since the 1990's when we furnished The Greenbrier, and today our collaboration on her designs perpetuates her legacy for glamorous, flamboyant design. I enjoyed your blog.
11 months ago ·
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