This summer my reading list has included books about Sister Parish, Billy Baldwin, John Fowler, Mark Hampton and most recently,
Dorothy Draper. Her work in the design world was a true
tour de force.
New York Magazine's list of key elements of Dorothy Draper design:
1. intense use of color
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUnnf9zwcxTpzxpdwF2Av3KEZZLPV5IzHtM2hqwUnu60BEnKo3jxBT7IYL9vmcoRc2aYk47JFhdcSWMb6cqkj6hfOLlFPQ5IGChbgv9Z-cO3l7VV1B3Sb5l8WTYKtdMcYixvO2NGDzmE/s400/ddraper+nyc+living+room.jpeg)
2. florals/greenery -'as much a part of a decorative scheme as beautiful curtains,'she said
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH94mtfdAd1Ly7g7-svXD64SVpz7R6218usyix3Neh0ThjCp1-2Yts3uGXqesoEt79ZDNuG0SD5U8HdRrGuo0FZmsR1IK42Mwh4gGFSCZ4TA0ZK_XDegj1V3a2GM8ahqHoLVzKkqaa3dg/s400/dorothy+draper+rosso+umbario.png)
3. textured carpet -thick tactile rugs
4. striking details - a few bold accessories, not clutter
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOby1BHFTLLgcEMaKTijlq0BCX8tMGhcp2dJTgZrkU62OT23q0_Gs8gRmVAt5JnR2npllBGuemG_g-vM55yeVmxO-c9tSzv8mQIGz-amPIW8GF8PtzisCoWk2DYsLgB1gXsM2-yL3ssh4/s400/dorothy+draper+greenbrier+hall+2.jpg)
5. a fireplace
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmVv8kVI-ebmIhjtugxQ2oDPUTcVhe3Fs1KwOTx1eb7eUuXR1gtZ22szgZbeMQGcgSM1_EmHzD_BmOFhzI2bSXGUiIsaFBWiWIRTN7zr8sXt1Ig1p8-5JOdquCLn8kqPi6q-7A1bRIwU/s400/dorothy+draper+room.jpg)
6. bold prints - over sized patterned wallpaper, fabrics
7. chessboard floors -black and white large tiles
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdDG_OoA8EepSyO5rqyt1gl4g1k7so4t5cWk1Ks-xGu-aU7o2jP7MSzWiTCa3EAiQhHfp-JL5OYLlhYJtsm-dvyuHzSNdwV9ILWdB8WQ3gRIWgj0HOAxcFfhi94OwMGismfFK3EM0Mqk/s400/dorothy+draper+-+greenbrier.gif)
8. large mirrors - the more ornate the better
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh4TKjlUkFPTvbj8X-wpzSwoqOLEiFQBAq2aZ5CVZCM43oGo0YOHZaoFfUTyUTPr-jkmYO2G2zwxaTXr28DIC1CdbPR2BXFwZnJ2UaHcRrYC-UlDAwbzXvlVfcKHKtF_2PbaADSIPRuI/s400/dorothy+draper+hampshire+house+-+nytime+stlyle+mag.jpg)
9. romantic furniture- curves and some whimsy
10. color contrasts - opposites on the color wheel ie. red with green
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HorJaSoe_CE3c-OUgyPDJzl3a-_jr8Zg0WbYHjt9zgJHLuxUbxPwMBDq_g9I86Wdts7tE-xcrZ6T0xVBruXtWOrr7x0BnT-oF3XOqf-xNpWMsIejAUqhuTYOmM7f4D5NovbVAqS8THQ/s400/dorothy+draper+greenbrierhall-300x245.jpg)
In an interview in
Newsday, Dorothy commented on how to approach each project:
"1. an intelligent analysis of the problem
2. how to put it into production as economically as possible with emphasis on function, and
3. a sense of good showmanship, the capacity for seeing things as a picture."
all images via the Collection of Dorothy Draper and the Carleton Varney Group