What Is The History Of Interior Design?

Interior design has evolved over time, with each era contributing to the aesthetic and functional development of homes. The profession of interior design is just over 100 years old, and it began as the art of decorating, embracing form and function. Over time, interior design has changed dramatically, with ancient civilizations emphasizing status and the profession becoming more established after World War II. From the 1950s onwards, spending on homes increased, and interior design courses were established.

Interior design as a discrete discipline has its own history dating back to France in the 18th century. In the 19th century, the interior became a cultural battlefield. Today, interior design is a highly specialized field that requires years of study and experience. The roots of interior design trace back to ancient civilizations, such as ancient Egypt, where interiors were adorned with rudimentary decorations.

The National Society of Interior Designers in the United States began in 1957, recognizing the importance of professional interior designers. The first interior designers were not formally referred to as “interior design” until the early 19th century, but there are still many influential figures in the field. The term “interior decorator” has been so loosely applied since the middle of the 20th century that it has become nearly meaningless.

What is the oldest style of interior design?

From 1700 to 1800AD, traditional Europe and American design was prevalent, characterized by a formal feel and flower-based work. The middle classes, influenced by the industrial revolution, increased education, and trade, adopted this style in their interior design. They used lower-cost materials like rugs and wallpapers, as well as Asian porcelain, pianos, and upholstered furniture, to showcase their wealth and culture. This elegant style is still popular today among certain classes.

Who invented interior design as a profession?

Elsie de Wolfe, the first professional interior designer, was renowned for her lighter, brighter schemes and her involvement in designing the Colony Club, a social club for society women in New York. Her wealthy clients included members of the Morgan, Frick, Vanderbilt, and Duke and Duchess of Windsor families. Wolfe also penned The House in Good Taste, a 1913 manual on interior design, with Ruby Ross Wood, a journalist and Wolfe’s ghostwriter.

Wood later became a decorator, outfitting abodes for various celebrities, including Alfred Vanderbilt, Rodman Wanamaker, Brooke Astor, and Ellen and Wolcott Blair. Wood introduced Americans to the innovative designs of the Wiener Werkstätte and the black-and-white Moroccan rugs.

Dorothy “Sister” Parish, part of the iconic Parish-Hadley, is best known for her work on the Kennedy White House, which she completed alongside First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Her laid-back, breezy style, characterized by its palette, accents, and sensibility, remains the foundation of a classic, preppy style today.

Who was the first person to be a interior designer?

Elsie De Wolfe, a pioneering interior designer, rejected the Victorian style and opted for a more vibrant scheme with comfortable furniture. Her designs were light, fresh colors, and delicate Chinoiserie furnishings, reducing clutter and allowing for more comfortable entertaining. In 1905, she was commissioned to design the Colony Club on Madison Avenue, which gained her recognition. Her ideas were later compiled into her book, The House in Good Taste.

Syrie Maugham, a legendary interior designer, designed the first all-white room in England in the early 1910s. Born during the Victorian Era, she designed rooms filled with light and furnished in multiple shades of white and mirrored screens. Her trademark pieces included books covered in white vellum, cutlery with white porcelain handles, console tables with plaster palm-frond, shell, or dolphin bases, upholstered and fringed sleigh beds, fur carpets, dining chairs covered in white leather, and lamps of graduated glass balls and wreaths.

The interior design profession became more established after World War II, with increased spending on the home and the establishment of courses, historical accounts of interior designers, and organizations to regulate education, qualifications, standards, and practices.

When did interior design begin?

The French Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries marked a significant shift in interior design, with architects focusing on art and creativity. They created homes with decorative elements such as marble floors, ornate woodwork, paintings, and furniture made from the finest materials. The Palace of Versailles in France showcased the best of Renaissance interior design. Italian Baroque designs, such as the Rococo style, gained popularity in the 18th century, incorporating elements from Asian stoneware, floral prints, and exotic details like ivory and mother-of-pearl.

The Neoclassical look of the late 18th century was a distant take on ancient Rome’s design elements. From the early 1800s, interior design in Europe and America became more eclectic and varied. Over the next two centuries, various interior design movements emerged, including Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Victorian, and Bauhaus style. The 19th century saw the ultimate appreciation and popularization of interior design, reaching critical masses and enhancing the lives of those who lived in royal compounds and wealthy citizens.

How old is the interior design profession?

The profession of interior design, which originated as the art of decorating, has undergone significant evolution, becoming a highly specialized field that necessitates extensive study and experience. This field has now been in existence for over a century, spanning more than a hundred years.

Who started modern interior design?

Modernism encompassed interior design, architecture, industrial, and graphic design, with key figures like Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobson, George Nelson, Eero Saarinen, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi, Hans Wegner, and Mies van der Rohe. Many of these designers fled the Nazis in Europe for a fresh start in the post-WWII United States. Modernist furniture celebrates its industrial materials, using metal frames and bright colors against neutral backdrops.

Light-colored woods like beech, ash, and pine were frequently used. Most modernist furniture was compact, fitting into small houses built during the post-war building boom. The average suburban house built in 1949 was just under 1, 000-square feet, but well-designed and constructed furniture like Danish modern sofas and Barcelona chairs were popular.

What is the first rule of interior design?

Interior design encompasses a wide range of aspects, from color wheel to functional home furnishings. It is crucial to understand your space well before making any changes, as interior designers like Samantha Todhunter and Emma Deterding emphasize the importance of living in it. They emphasize the need to understand circulation, flow, and define your needs and desired performance. Kelling Designs founder and creative director Emma Deterding believes that space planning should create efficiency, avoiding current trends and unnecessary additions. She suggests that clients often seek to replicate the latest interior trends, but often seek longer-term, liveable solutions.

What is 1950s interior design called?

Mid-century modern (MCM) is a global movement in interior design, product design, graphic design, architecture, and urban development that gained popularity in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Europe from 1945 to 1970. The movement was particularly popular in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Europe. The resurgence of MCM-style decor and architecture began in the late 1990s and continues today.

Who is known as the first interior designer?

The term “Interior Decorator” was first used in America in the early 1900s, with decorators often lacking academic credentials. Elsie de Wolfe was the first to receive a design commission and published the first interior design book in 1913. Dorothy Draper was the first documented commercial Interior Decorator, establishing her design firm in 1923. The term “Interior Designer” was coined in the 1930s by a magazine called “Interior Design and Decoration”, which was not published between 1943 and 1952.

The magazine also recognized the work of architects and engineers. The largest professional organization in the field was founded in 1931, changing its name to the American Institute of Interior Designers (AID) in 1936. As the profession of interior design grew, so did the number of organizations and associations representing its various members.

How long has home interiors been around?

Home Interiors, founded by Mary Crowley in 1957, was a direct sales company specializing in decorating accessories. The company sold its products through over 140, 000 representatives in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. It bought many of its products from its own manufacturing subsidiaries, such as Laredo Candle Company. The company’s son, Don Carter, joined her in managing the business. By 1982, Home Interiors had a sales force of 38, 000 and gross sales of over $400 million.

By 1984, the sales force was 450, 000, mostly women, selling door-to-door and at parties where women socialized as they bought “figurines” and other home decorations. The company is defunct since 2008. Highland Capital Management later owned a majority interest in the company.

Who was the first female interior designer?

Elsie de Wolfe, born in 1859 in New York City, was an American actress, author, and one of the first recognized female interior designers. She was named the best-dressed woman in the world in 1935 and became a fashion icon. De Wolfe transitioned from acting to designing, introducing a comfortable and whimsical style that included animal prints, Chinoiserie, mirrors, florals, and French-style furniture.

Her signature simplicity and airiness marked a significant departure from the Victorian style. During her lifetime, she worked with illustrious clients, including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Her home, The Villa Trianon, showcases her signature simplicity and airiness.