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.
Dorothy Draper Hollywood Regency Espana four-door marble top credenza
By Dorothy Draper
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a black and gold Hollywood Regency Lacquered chest by Henredon and design by Dorothy Draper in the mid-1950s. This credenza has a natural Italian travertine inserted marble t...
Wood
$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
$7,800 / set
H 32 in W 30 in D 20 in
Dorothy Draper España Style Nightstands Customizable in Any Color, Pair
By Dorothy Draper
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Perfect for standard size bedrooms, smaller entry spaces or offices, these vintage Hollywood Regency Dorothy Draper España style nightstand...
Wood
$7,000
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 Furniture, Heritage-Henredon
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 ...
Brass
$7,800 / set
H 30.5 in W 30 in D 20 in
Dorothy Draper España Style Pair of Nightstands Customizable in Any Color
By Dorothy Draper
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Perfect for standard size bedrooms, smaller entry spaces or offices, these vintage Hollywood Regency Dorothy Draper España style nightstands / dressers are a perfect choice to add some high-style glamour, circa 1960. The nightstands feature three dovetailed drawers, yet the carved fronts give the illusion of six smaller, individual drawers. Timeless Dorothy Draper design. In terms of utility, the drawers facilitate convenient bedside storage...
Lacquer
Authentic Dorothy Draper Espana Chest in Black Bean, circa 1955
By Dorothy Draper
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Authentic Dorothy Draper España chest, shown in black bean. The crème de la crème - the most iconic of Hollywood Regency glam - is Dorothy Dra...
Wood
$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
$3,995
H 34.25 in W 72 in D 19 in
Henredon Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Walnut Sideboard Credenza, Circa 1970s
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Henredon USA, Circa 1970s Beautiful sculpted walnut, with Asian-inspired brass hard...
Brass
ONE authentic Dorothy Draper Espana Drawers
By Dorothy Draper
Located in Winnetka, IL
ONE (NOT TWO) authentic Dorothy Draper Espana hree- drawer chest of drawers made of ebonized mohogany with painted gilt accents. The back is finished so that you can "float " them,. ...
Brass
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 27.25 in D 15 in
1955 Vintage Dorothy Draper España Cabinet with Red Interior
By Dorothy Draper
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1955 Sensational Vintage Espana Cabinet Chest by Dorothy Draper for Heritage Henredon Red interior with shelf 28 h x 15 d x 27.25 w Original preowned condition unrestored Refer to al...
Wood
$6,800 / set
H 26 in W 27.5 in D 15 in
Dorothy Draper Espana Chests, Slate & Wood, Hollywood Regency, 1950s
By Dorothy Draper
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of reddish-orange with gold trim Espana chests designed for Henredon by the premiere decorator, Dorothy Draper in the mid 1950s. They are finished ...
Slate
$18,500
H 35 in W 96 in D 20 in
Unique 1970s Hollywood Regency Sideboard with Brass Hoof Legs and Marble Top
By Maison Jansen
Located in St. Louis, MO
Unique custom 1970s Hollywood Regency sideboard, console or server with Rosso Levanto marble top on four heavy solid stylized brass animal form legs with hoofed feet and nickel frame with three ebonized rosewood drawers, having brass inlay and unique brass knobs. Marble top has an OG edge and is free of chips and breaks, brass legs have nice warm patina, wood drawers have original finish, nickel frame will be polish or cleaned prior to shipping. Mounts to wall through back brace...
Marble, Brass, Nickel
Authentic Dorothy Draper Espana Chest in Emerald Green
By Dorothy Draper
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Authentic Dorothy Draper España chest, shown in Emerald Green. The crème de la crème - the most iconic of Hollywood Regency glam - is Dorothy Draper's España bunching chest. Dorothy Draper (1889-1969), America's most famous decorator, produced her most sought after and iconic pieces - the España bunching chest and the España cabinet...
Brass
Dorothy Draper White Lacquer Bookcase or Breakfront
By Dorothy Draper
Located in New York, NY
Ultra Glam Hollywood Regency white lacquer bookcase/breakfront with carved and 22kt gold leafed trim.The Middle section folds down to reveal a secretary compartment and writing surface. Upper case features gilded trimmed convex glass window panes.
Brass, Gold Leaf
Dorothy Draper Viennese Collection Cabinet
By Dorothy Draper
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite chest of drawers by Dorothy Draper. Iconic geometric design decorate the front of the cabinet. 3 brass rings accent each one of the drawers.