Week 8 Rise of the Decorator

Dorothy Draper really caught my attention with her use of bold color and design. Her interior spaces display a great contrast between elements through patterns and hues. She was the first person to professionalize the field of interior design and created her own design firm in 1923. Not only were design firms unheard of but starting and owning a business as a women was rare and daring. Dorthy Draper and Company design studio is still a working company and continues to use the similar style techniques that Dorthy her self used. It is noted that she was a very confident women, which helped her success in both the business and design feild.

Her spaces displayed vibrant colors and daring combinations of colors and patterns. One of her favorite combinations was using a dull white against a shiny black. She also used white and black checkered floors in a lot of her spaces. Her design goals were to make people feel the quality of life when they entered the space, she was labeled as an anti-minimilst.

Dorthy lived a glamorous life style, be born into an aristocratic lifestyle in Tuxedo, New York. This was actually the first ever gated community in the United States. The finer life style continued when she was married in 1912 to Dr. George Draper, personal doctor to president Franklin D. Roosevelt. She then worked on interiors of her high society friends.

Current Applications:
The Colony Hotel, done by Dorthy Draper and Company design studio.

Extra Credit: Here is a short video displaying more of Dorothy Draper's work. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16wqY1wrma4

Responses: 

Alexandra- I thought your descriptions next to the images you chose was very helpful and full of information. 

Erin- The information you found on Tessa Kennedy was very interesting and it looks that her work was very unique. 

Week 7 Art Deco

While researching the Art Deco period I came across French artist Rene Lalique. He work consisted of glass design and art, perfume bottles, vases, chandeliers, clocks, jewelry, and automobile hood ornaments. When he was just twelve years old he started College Turgot (1872) where he learned drawing and sketching skills. In 1874 he would then begin taking classes in London to improve his graphic design skills. Lalique is best known for his glass art creations that were displayed on wall or columns of grand dinning halls.

Left Picture: SS Normandie dining hall

Right Picture: Spirit of the Wind Automobile ornament

In 1921 Lalique founded the Verrierie d'Alsace glassworks, today the world's on Lalique factory. By 1925 he has participated in many architectural projects and was highlighted at the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in Paris, this was the climax of his career. Pictured right: Interior of Cote d'Azur Pullman Express carriage.             

Current Applications:

Extra Credit: Video highlighting works of Lalique https://vimeo.com/114224292

Responses: Kate- I really like the 3rd current day application you included. For being modern it still highlights the art deco style very clearly. 

Kendra- The video you included was very interesting and informational. I also thought the caption you included with your pictures are very helpful.