Dorothy Draper

American, 1889-1969

Few would argue with the statement that Dorothy Draper was the most influential American interior decorator of the past century. They might make a case for Elsie de Wolfe, who had banished heavy dark furnishings and finishes from late Edwardian-era rooms, or plump for Sister Parish, and her easeful gentrified look. But Draper simply was the face of decorating. Savvy, decisive and trim — she looked the part. And her 1939 book Decorating Is Fun! and a regular column for Good Housekeeping maintained that public image. As did, of course, her work.

Born to wealth in Tuxedo Park, New York, Draper received little formal schooling but did travel extensively in Europe, where she refined her eye and tastes. Draper invented the interior design style known these days as Hollywood Regency. She loved bold vibrant color, which she deployed in unusual combinations (pink paired with eggplant was a favorite). She had a penchant for black-and-white checkered floors.

Draper liked a room to have a statement piece on the wall, preferably a plaster scrollwork-framed mirror. But most of all Draper liked such things as huge moldings brimming with Baroque detail; upholstery fabrics with overscaled florals, such as her signature print called “Cabbage Rose.” Draper could keep it simple. Many of her chairs are unfussy slipper or club chairs, with maybe a little tufting. Her cabinets and other case pieces are equally elegant — the quiet España chest, which has three drawers with round brass pulls, has been a staple of classic decorating ever since Draper designed it in 1953.

During a heyday of production in the mid-1950s, Heritage entered into a partnership with Draper, while Frank Lloyd Wright created several lines of furniture for Henredon — the works by both designers, which included Draper's España line and Viennese furnishings group, were marketed under the Heritage-Henredon name owing to a cross-licensing agreement between the brands.

Because of her passion for scale and grand gestures, most of Draper’s commissions were for hotels, resorts and apartment towers. In these spaces, she could follow her whim and produce such extravagances as the massive, playfully modernist chandelier in the lobby of the Greenbrier resort in West Virginia; the wildly Baroque fireplace in the lounge of New York’s Hampshire House; and the towering lacquered doors of the Arrowhead Springs Hotel in California. The woman thought big.

Browse a collection of vintage Dorothy Draper furniture on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price

$3,664

Styles

Materials

Related Creators

Mid-Century Dorothy Draper Chest of Drawers for España in Gilt & Black Lacquer

H 31.75 in W 38.25 in D 18.25 in

Mid-Century Dorothy Draper Chest of Drawers for España in Gilt & Black Lacquer

By Dorothy Draper

Located in New York, NY

This iconic Mid-Century Modernist chest of drawers, designed by the renowned American decorator Dorothy Draper for her famed España collection, is a hallmark of elegant and dramatic ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dorothy Draper

Materials

Giltwood, Lacquer

Hollywood Gold and Silver Gilt-Wood Mirror by Dorothy Draper

H 39 in W 28 in D 3 in

Hollywood Gold and Silver Gilt-Wood Mirror by Dorothy Draper

By Dorothy Draper

Located in New York, NY

This stunning Hollywood Regency mirror, designed by the iconic American decorator Dorothy Draper around 1945, exudes opulence and classic glamour. The mirror features a striking gilt...

Category

1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Dorothy Draper

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Authentic Dorothy Draper España Chest Lacquered in Pink & Gold circa 1955

H 31.5 in W 38 in D 20 in

Authentic Dorothy Draper España Chest Lacquered in Pink & Gold circa 1955

By Dorothy Draper

Located in Saint Louis, MO

This chic three drawer España bunching chest by Dorothy Draper is without a doubt the most iconic piece of 20th century Hollywood Regency furniture. Sexy. Elegant. Whimsical. As popu...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Dorothy Draper

Materials

Brass

Set of Three Dorothy Draper Espana Chests in Black Bean

H 31.5 in W 38 in D 18.5 in

Set of Three Dorothy Draper Espana Chests in Black Bean

By Dorothy Draper

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Rare and dramatic set of three matching lacquered España chest or bunching chests designed by Dorothy Draper. Mid-century chests of drawers made in the glamorous Hollywood Regency pe...

Category

20th Century American Hollywood Regency Dorothy Draper

Materials

Metal

Dorothy Draper Lacquered Viennese China Cabinet for Henredon, circa 1963

H 84 in W 60 in D 16 in

Dorothy Draper Lacquered Viennese China Cabinet for Henredon, circa 1963

By Dorothy Draper

Located in Saint Louis, MO

Dorothy Draper Viennese collection China cabinet designed for Henredon, circa 1963. Shown in pink lacquer, this particular one is sold but we have another available for custom refinishing in any color combination desired (please allow 8 to 10 weeks for refinishing time). Price includes refinishing. The Dorothy Draper Viennese collection for Henredon debuted in 1963. The scroll cornice of the cabinet recalls some of the mill work Dorothy designated in some of her hotel design work. The base has a bombe form and very stylized brass hardware. The cabinet has a slim depth, allowing it to fit in tighter spaces. This piece adds glamour and beauty to any kitchen or dining space. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory. Photographed with and also currently available within our shop- Suzanne Geismar swan leda lounge chairs in mink velvet and ivory parchment swans. French Art Deco style shagreen and ebony coffee table with silver sabots. Pair of Dorothy Draper España side tables in original black and gold lacquer. Maison Bagués style neoclassical brass bar cart, circa 1970. Feldman brass lotus candle holders...

Category

1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Dorothy Draper

Materials

Brass

Authentic Dorothy Draper España Chest in Ivory White Chocolate, circa 1955

H 31.5 in W 38 in D 20 in

Authentic Dorothy Draper España Chest in Ivory White Chocolate, circa 1955

By Dorothy Draper, Heritage-Henredon, Heritage Furniture

Located in Saint Louis, MO

Authentic Dorothy Draper España chest, shown in Ivory White Chocolate. The crème de la crème - the most iconic of Hollywood Regency glam - is ...

Category

1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Dorothy Draper

Materials

Brass

Dorothy Draper Lacquered Viennese Secretary Desk for Henredon, circa 1963

H 88.5 in W 49 in D 19 in

Dorothy Draper Lacquered Viennese Secretary Desk for Henredon, circa 1963

By Henredon, Dorothy Draper

Located in Saint Louis, MO

Everyone can have a taste of iconic Dorothy Draper Hollywood Regency style with this perfectly sized and oh so elegant Viennese Collection Secretaries Desk Breakfront. Regal. Whimsical and gregarious flair. The scroll cornice of the cabinet recalls some of the mill work Dorothy designated in her iconic hotel design work. A more petite version of Dorothy Draper's Viennese China...

Category

1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Dorothy Draper

Materials

Metal, Brass

Dorothy Draper Viennese Collection Ivory Chest with Gold Incised Drawers

H 30.75 in W 44 in D 18 in

Dorothy Draper Viennese Collection Ivory Chest with Gold Incised Drawers

By Henredon, Dorothy Draper

Located in Saint Louis, MO

Hollywood glamour then and now, this Viennese Collection chest of drawers was designed by the Queen of Hollywood Regency - Dorothy Draper - in the early 1960s and features solid brass rectangular pulls centered amidst incised rectangles set in an octagonal drawer front pattern, circa 1960. Dorothy Draper's incised pattern purposefully blurs the rectangular drawer fronts and instead focuses the admirer on the glamorous honeycomb pattern outlined in gold lacquer and finished with glowing solid brass drawer pulls. She transforms a large, functional three drawer chest into an artistic object with golden shapes and textures. The pattern also interlocks in pairs or sets of three, so these chests look especially grand in sets. The piece is finished on all sides which allows it to float in a room. As they say, the eye has to travel and this Dorothy Draper Viennese chest...

Category

1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Dorothy Draper

Materials

Brass

Browse all Furniture from Dorothy Draper

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Dorothy Draper Sale Prices

Sold Date

Sold Price

Category

Material

Creation Year

2026	$4,080	Benches	Mohair, Paint, Giltwood, Wood, Upholstery, Silk	1940-1960
2026	$2,600	Chaise Longues	Upholstery, Walnut	Circa 60s
2026	$1,620	Chairs	Satin, Wood	Mid 20th Century
2026	$1,350	Wall Mirrors	Mirror	mid 20th century
2026	$12,600	Commodes and Chests of Drawers, Night Stands	Brass, Cherry, Lacquer	1955
2026	$7,400	Side Tables	Wood	circa 1940s–1950s
2026	$2,786	Cabinets	Mirror, Walnut	1963
2026	$500	Chairs	Fabric, Wood	late 1960s to 1970s
2026	$954	Table Lamps	Plaster	1975
2026	$3,200	More Lighting, Table Lamps	Plaster	1950
2026	$1,000	Benches	Upholstery, Wood	Circa 70's
2026	$2,200	Table Lamps	Plaster	1970
2025	$2,380	Benches	Upholstery, Wood	circa 1960s
2025	$7,920	Benches	Gold, Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Lacquer	1945

$3,664

Average sold price of items in the past 12 months

$500-$12,600

Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

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Dorothy Draper furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Dorothy Draper furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Dorothy Draper furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 35 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Dorothy Draper were created in the Hollywood Regency style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by William Doezema, Lorin Jackson, and O.B. Solie. Prices for Dorothy Draper furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $450 and can go as high as $35,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,550.

Questions About Dorothy Draper

What was Dorothy Draper famous for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJanuary 19, 2025
Dorothy Draper was famous for designing furniture and interiors. Few would argue with the statement that Draper was the most influential American interior decorator of the past century. Savvy, decisive and trim — she looked the part. Her 1939 book, Decorating Is Fun!, and a regular column for Good Housekeeping maintained that public image and influence. As did, of course, her stylish work. Shop a range of Dorothy Draper furniture on 1stDibs.