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 |
| $3,977 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
$7,000
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...
Brass
$5,800
H 31.5 in W 38 in D 20 in
Dorothy Draper España Black Lacquer Chest for Heritage, Hollywood Regency, 1950s
By Dorothy Draper, Heritage Furniture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Dorothy Draper España Black Lacquer Chest for Heritage, Hollywood Regency Dorothy Draper España Black Lacquer Chest for Heritage exemplifies the glamorous Hollywood Regency style th...
Brass
Dorothy Draper Viennese Collection Display Cabinet
By Henredon, Dorothy Draper
Located in Chicago, IL
Impressive cabinet from Draper's 1963 Viennese collection for Henredon. Features bombe base with three drawers, splayed feet and intricately chased brass drop pulls. Above base i...
Brass
$14,200 / item
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...
Brass
$6,800 / set
H 18.5 in W 24.5 in D 20 in
Pair of Dorothy Draper España X Stools / Benches in Leopard Velvet, circa 1955
By Dorothy Draper, Heritage Furniture
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Timelessly sexy and upper crust pair of Dorothy Draper Hollywood Regency benches or ottomans newly professionally upholstered in elegant leopard velvet. Stately X shape and lines. New leopard velvet tufted upholstery outlined in black piping for a more upscale finished look. Brass feet and emblems have a rich patina. Lacquered black wooden legs highlighted in gold draws the eye to that sophisticated X silhouette. These iconic Dorothy Draper benches...
Lacquer, Velvet
$8,800 / item
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...
Brass
$9,800 / set
H 26 in W 27.5 in D 15 in
Pair of Dorothy Draper Espana Cabinets for Heritage Henredon, circa 1955
By Dorothy Draper
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A pair of one-of-a-kind cabinets designed by Dorothy Draper (1889-1969) - America's most famous decorator - for her España line. After touring Spain for inspiration, Dorothy Draper produced her most sought after and iconic pieces: the España bunching chest and the España cabinet...
Wood
$1,175 / set
H 36 in W 22 in D 22 in
Pair Late 20th Century Kindel Cherry Draper Dining Side Cafe Chairs
By Kindel Furniture, Dorothy Draper
Located in Dayton, OH
Dorothy Draper designed the original of this chair in 1945 for the Café and rooms at The Greenbrier Hotel in West Virginia. The swirling lines of the back splat, the French inspired ...
Upholstery, Cherry
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| $3,977 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $500-$13,000 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |