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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
$5,554
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Dorothy Draper España Black and Gold Chest Dressers - Pair
By Dorothy Draper
Located in Countryside, IL
Dorothy Draper España Black and Gold Chest Dressers - Pair Each chest measures: 38 wide x 20 deep x 31.75 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage c...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Dorothy Draper

Materials

Wood

Pair Late 20th Century Kindel Cherry Draper Dining Side Cafe Chairs
By Dorothy Draper, Kindel Furniture
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 ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Dorothy Draper

Materials

Upholstery, Cherry

Pair Late 20th Century Kindel Cherry Draper Dining Side Cafe Chairs
Pair Late 20th Century Kindel Cherry Draper Dining Side Cafe Chairs
$940 Sale Price / set
20% Off
H 36 in W 22 in D 22 in
Pair Dorothy Draper White Gold Gilt España Curule Benches for Heritage Henredon
By Dorothy Draper, Heritage-Henredon
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Mid-20th Century Dorothy Draper España curule benches for Heritage-Henredon featuring white painted wood frames with gold gilt detail and newly upholstered espresso Astrakhan...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Hollywood Regency Dorothy Draper

Materials

Mohair, Paint, Giltwood, Wood, Upholstery, Silk

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...
Category

1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Dorothy Draper

Materials

Lacquer, Velvet

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

Dorothy Draper Lacquered Viennese Secretary Desk for Henredon, circa 1963
By Dorothy Draper, Henredon
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

Authentic Dorothy Draper España Chest Lacquered in Black Bean & 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

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

Browse all Furniture from Dorothy Draper
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Dorothy Draper Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$10,000SecretairesWood, Metal, Brass1960
2025$2,970Wall MirrorsGiltwood2007
2025$1,750CabinetsBrass, Slate, Wood1955
2025$12,960Dining Room ChairsAluminum, Upholstery, Lacquer1999
2025$21,780Night Stands, Commodes and Chests of DrawersBrass, Wood1963
2025$959StoolsMetal1950's
2025$3,000SofasUpholstery, Walnutcirca 1960s
2025$250DressersWood1950's
2025$6,280Commodes and Chests of Drawers, Night StandsWood1955
2025$12,000Dining Room ChairsAluminum, Upholstery, Lacquer1999
2025$2,880Dining Room ChairsWood1980s
2025$4,575Chairs, Side ChairsUpholstery, Woodcirca 1950
2025$8,500Dining Room ChairsAluminum, Upholstery, Lacquer1999
2025$2,932Decorative Art, Wall-mounted SculpturesPlaster1965
2024$2,000Screens and Room DividersBrass, Lacquer, Paint, Woodcirca 1965
2024$6,250Wall MirrorsMirror, Plaster20th Century
2024$4,200Commodes and Chests of DrawersWood1950s
2024$4,250Side Tables, TablesPlaster1960-1970
2024$2,335ChairsWood1960
2024$1,200Lounge ChairsFabric, Wood1950's
$5,554
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$250-$21,780
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Dorothy Draper

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
  • 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.

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