Last weekend, while at The Greenbrier, I picked up Carleton Varney's book In The Pink: Dorothy Draper- America's Most Fabulous Decorator. Have you heard of her?
Dorothy Draper was the first to "professionalize" the interior design industry, starting her design firm in 1923. She broke away from the traditional style of decorating, inventing the "modern baroque" style.
Dorothy Draper designed many large scale hotels and restaurants, including The Greenbrier Resort, which is still designed in her signature style (more on that later).
It was truly amazing to me as I walked through The Greenbrier, studying her design principles how many of the elements she used are still popular today, or have become popular again today.
I will write more about Dorothy Draper and The Greenbrier in a later post, but I did want to share this tidbit of design advice from America's Most Fabulous Decorator.
Dorothy said every room should have a touch of black...
Do you agree?
Congratulations to Joanne with Homestyling 101!
You won a stencil of your choice (up to $60 value) from Olive Leaf Stencils.
Congratulations to Joanne with Homestyling 101!
You won a stencil of your choice (up to $60 value) from Olive Leaf Stencils.
She was ahead of her time! Totally agree. :) Your new design is super sleek, Elizabeth. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteHeidi @ Show Some Decor
Love the look of the blog - very elegant & professional. I agree about the black - it grounds a room.
ReplyDeleteI thought I was in the wrong place! This is so cool...totally love the clean look. But I loved the other one too. :o) If I could start over from scratch I would do black, white and cream. Several years ago I saw a black and white house in a magazine and fell in love. It was so warm and inviting yet flowed from room to room. Sadly that's not going to happen so touches here and there help out! The black planked ceiling in the one picture is just amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis is one rule I always try to follow!
ReplyDeleteLove the new blog design, Elizabeth! Very classic and chic. Dorothy Draper would approve!
ReplyDeleteLove your new blog makeover! It looks very elegant, sleek and chic! Adore the inspiration pictures. Black is certainly a wonderful color to ground a space!
ReplyDeleteJessie
www.mixandchic.com
Oooooooh! I love your new blog design :)
ReplyDeleteI do try to abide by the "black" rule. It is an easy enough rule to follow, so why not?
LOVE Dorothy...she is always completely amazing...no wonder she is always getting named as an inspiration to the "big" designers! (c: And LOVE the new design! You never cease to amaze, darlin'!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of touches of black in a space -- even when it's full of color. It just adds that element of sophistication.
ReplyDeleteLovin the new blog layout too! Nice work!
I think this rule is so easy to follow. Black just seems to naturally appear in just about every space and it definitely does ground the room.
ReplyDeleteThe new look is great (with the touch of black)! :)
I totally agree!! In fact I practice that idea, not because someone told me too, I just did it instinctivly when I first started decorating in my early twenties. I remember the first time I read about Dorothy Draper, not realizing what an Icon she was. I was amazed that someone else loved black and black and white checked floors like I did. The more I read the more I found out who this remarkable woman was. I just did a post on black and white last week. I think Ms. Draper would have approved. Loved her design aesthetics. Thank you for reminding me of how great she was, Kathysue
ReplyDeleteI was totally loving this post and your ode to Dorothy Draper and her fetish for one of my favorite colors (or lack of color) black...then I loved the post even more when I saw that I won the stencil!! Yipppeee! Persistence pays off...now I have a big decision to make! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteYes, I totally agree that it grounds a room and makes it feel more "finished."
ReplyDeleteI've always heard that black helps grounds the space and I think it's totally true. Hmm, just realized my bedroom is missing black...
ReplyDeleteLove the new design! Very sharp.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking this week that I used to say that and now I may actually dare switch it to a touch of white! But I do love those images, especially the one with the black door.
ReplyDeleteI always have a touch of black...or lot of black in every room. Dorothy Draper was way ahead of her time.
ReplyDeleteEver since I read your fist blog post on the Greenbrier I have been searching for the keys we accidentally took when we stayed there about 10 or 12 years. Two real keys on a Greenbrier key chain...do they still have real keys or have they gone to the key card?
I love catching up on blog reading over here Elizabeth! Always so much eye candy!
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of a touch of black in every room and always have been. It's one color that has managed to work it's way into every room in every house I have owned for the past 15 years! Contemplating painting the interior of my foyer door a glossy black.