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.
Baker Furniture Bedside Commode
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a superb Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture Commode or chest of drawers/bedside chest that dates to the end of the 20th century. The chest is in overall very good condition an...
Hardwood
Louis XVI Desk/Secretaire a Abattant c. 1790-1800
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very good example of a late 18th century Louis XVI Secretaire a Abattant. The secretaire is crafted of solid walnut and is a generous 39.5" wide. The fall front when down r...
Walnut
Louis XV Walnut Chest of Drawers, Hand-Carved, France, Circa 1760
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a fine example of a mid-18th century Louis XV provincial serpentine walnut chest of drawers. The chest is in overall very good condition. The chest features a serpentine fron...
Brass
Louis XV-Style Bombe Parquetry Commode, 19th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a gorgeous example of a Louis XV-style bombe commode. It is finely constructed in bombe form with fine parquetry covering the entire surface. The top is Spanish Brocatelle ma...
Bronze
George II Chinoiserie Chest, 18th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This a George II/George III Chest or Trunk that retains its original red Japanned surface. The chest features a molded lid typically found in George II/ early George III coffers. The...
Brass
Regency Style Georgian Mahogany Cellarette with Brass Accents, c. 1800
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a classic Georgian Mahogany Cellarette that dates to the late 18th or early 19th century. The cellarette lacks its original mahog...
Brass
Dorothy Draper Style "Espana" 3 Drawer Chest
Located in Pasadena, TX
This white lacquered 3 Drawer chest is made in the style of the Dorothy Draper "Espana" chest. It has chrome ring pulls and gold trim around the drawers. It sits on a plinth base. T...
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Dorothy Draper “Espana” Chest of Drawers
By Dorothy Draper
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This iconic "Espana" chest of drawers, designed by the legendary Dorothy Draper for Heritage Furniture, is a quintessential masterpiece of Hollywood Regency glamour. Originally conce...
Wood, Paint
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 ...
Giltwood, Lacquer
Dresser Chest by Drexel
By Drexel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Drexel modernist three drawer dresser chest. Walnut cabinet with pull rings sitting on a brass plates. Fully re-finished. All drawers come with removable lining covered in faux suede.
Walnut
Pair of Dorothy Draper for Heritage Espana Chests / Commodes, Mid-Century Modern
By Dorothy Draper, Heritage-Henredon
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Heritage Espana Chests by Dorothy Draper, Stamped, Mid Century Modern A pair of stunning fully refinished chests or nightstand tables by Heritage for Dorothy Draper in a fine ebony lacquered finished with brass circular pulls. Each having the signature three recessed drawer on a bracket base. Fine fully refinished condition. The pair branded. Chests 31.5H 38W 20D 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 - after touring Spain for inspiration at the invitation of the Spanish government whom wished to spark interest in Spain's culture through furnishings emblematic of its rich history and traditions. The España chest is the most readily recognized and certainly the most well-known piece representative of midcentury Hollywood Regency style. Most recently, a pair was featured in the “Sex in the City...
Brass
ONE authentic Dorothy Draper Espana Drawers
By Dorothy Draper
Located in Winnetka, IL
ONE 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,. The top dr...
Brass
