Famous Interior Designers and Their Styles in Interior Design - Part 1

Introduction

This series of 4 articles takes a brief but informative look at 21 of the most famous and Interior Designers, from the earliest pioneers right through to the most celebrated modern day designers.

Interior

The Pioneers of Interior Design

Jean-Henri Jansen (1854-1928)

Dutch designer, Jean-Henri Jansen, launched one of the first ever international interior design companies 'Maison Jansen' (House of Jansen) in 1880, which became renowned for designing and creating exceptionally beautiful and high quality furniture which would be utilized in a multitude of interior decoration projects. House of Jansen opened branches in 8 of the major cities of the world. Jansen worked closely with the talented interior designer Stephane Boudin whom he made director of the company. The clients of House of Jansen included Royalty and the rich and famous.

Elsie de Wolfe (1865-1950)

The first lady of interior decoration, Elsie de Wolfe considered herself an 'ugly child'. This Victorian stage actress was a rebel of her times and was credited by many to be the inventor of the modern profession of interior design, even though there were already established interior designers in her time. Elsie disliked Victorian tastes altogether, her designs were therefore generally made up of light and bright colors, contrary to the drab and gloomy Victorian décor coupled with unnecessary excesses such as heavy velvet draperies. This was a pioneering departure from the contemporary designs of the time. Elsie's influence continues to be felt in the modern world of interior design.

Ogden Codman (1863-1951)

American interior decorator and architect, Ogden Codman spent his childhood in his birthplace of Boston before heading to France in his youth for a period of time. Codman had two uncles who influenced him tremendously - architect John Hubbard and decorator Richard Ogden. Some of Ogden Codman's works include Edith Wharton's Newport home, Land's End, the Rockefeller family estate of New York client John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and the Newport summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II. Along with novelist Edith Wharton, Codman co-authored a guidepost of American interior design, 'The Decoration of Houses' in 1897.

Frances Elkins (1888-1953)

Born in Milwaukee, Frances Adler Elkins was one of the most prominent interior decorator and designer of the previous century. Sister of the famed Chicago architect David Adler, Elkins was known for her futuristic designs that brought together different styles and elements from various periods. They included country French styles, chinoiserie and art deco. The furnishings featured in her designs included designers such as Jean-Michel Frank and Alberto Giacometti. The career of Elkins that spanned over three decades is glittered with many high profile commissions in Hawaii, the Midwest and northern and southern California, none more interesting than the restoration of the 1830s structure, Casa Amesti in Monterrey, California.

Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)

Frank Lloyd Wright was an interior designer and architect whose career included more than 1000 projects, 500 of them that have been complete. Wright was known for his promotion of organic architecture, an example of which is Fallingwater. The Robie House is an example of Wright's leadership of the Prairie School architectural movement, while the Rosenbaum House depicts Wright's Usonian home concept. Wright also had refreshing ideas for every kind of building, be it church, office, school, hotel or museum. Along with excellent architectural renderings, Wright also designed much of the interiors of his buildings including the Décor, layout and furniture.

Famous Interior Designers and Their Styles in Interior Design - Part 1

In Part 2 of this article - which can be accessed through the 'Article Source' link below - we take a look at the early interior designers including Fritz August Breuhaus, Stephan Bouldin, Emilio Terry and Dorothy Draper.

One of the cornerstones of many great interior designs is the choice of art. Paintings in particular are often sourced by modern designers to complement the rest of the the design scheme. The popularity of art has increased considerably in the UK over the last decade, not only the number art enthusiasts increased but also the number of artists at all levels; from hobbyists right through to professionals. For those artists, ABC Art supplies provide Blank Canvas and Canvas Boards which are durable, long lasting and suitable to be used for art produced for use as part of an interior design scheme.

How To Use Contemporary Furniture As A Base For Other Decorating Styles

As you look back through your life, can you even begin to count how many interior design styles you've gone through? There were the character-based and dramatic styles of your youth and teenage years, the trendy styles of your post-college years, and various themes, styles and colors throughout your adulthood.

You've probably noticed that nearly every trend has something in common. At the time, it seems like that trend is the most elegant and sophisticated style ever, and one that you will love for years to come. But, invariably, you begin to not love it so much. When you do finally redecorate, you find that the trendy furniture that you loved so much just a few years earlier isn't going to work with your new style. So out goes the overstuffed sofa, the papasan chair, or the distressed country-style TV cabinet. What could have been investment pieces are now at the second-hand shop or decorating the first apartment of a young relative.

How To Decorate And Live Well

Contemporary furniture carries with it a very interesting ability. When used in a contemporary room, contemporary furniture makes a big statement. It is a dramatic focal point of the room. On the other hand, when contemporary furniture is used in rooms of other styles it does just the opposite. It blends in seamlessly.

Let's look, for example, at the biggest, most dramatic contemporary furniture piece out there. The red, leather sofa.

Now imagine that somehow, somewhere down the line, your tastes change from a preference for contemporary design to American Country style. You've fallen head over heels in love with it. You want your house dripping with old kitchenware, advertising art, pictures of farm scenes and flowered fabric.

Two styles couldn't be further from each other if they tried. So... what do you do with that red, leather contemporary sofa?

First, drape a crocheted afghan over the back of one arm of the sofa. Don't cover the arm up, just drape it there. Arrange several country-style pillows at the corners. Maybe one pillow has a bit of red in the flowers to pick up the color. Then put a white tatted doily on each arm of the sofa. Now your sofa looks perfect next to the white eyelet curtains and the old wooden rocking chair. Using bits of red throughout your home will also help solidify the red leather sofa into your design and make it look like a purposeful decorating decision rather than something you're making due with.

Most other home decorating styles are even easier to combine with contemporary furniture. It's easy to soften their sleek, modern lines to reflect more casual or trendy styles, or incorporate their strong shapes into more historical styles.

Begin to look at your large pieces of furniture as investment pieces. By using contemporary design for your main furniture style, you can easily move from one design style to the next by changing just a few things rather than having to replace your furniture every few years.

How To Use Contemporary Furniture As A Base For Other Decorating Styles

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