Here at Restless.Design we love to research & recognise great design talent, so we’ve decided to start a new series “Creatives We Love”. These posts will be all about trail blazing creatives who inspire us.

First of the series is the wonderful Dorothy Draper. She was an American interior designer known for her anti-minimalist approach to design. We adore loud colours and bold prints and Dorothy excelled at this. Never afraid of being out there she steered away from boring muted nudes and whites.

03-restless-design-dorothy-draper

Dorothy Draper

The Greenbrier Hotel, West Virginia

02-restless-design-dorothy-draper-the-greenbrier-west-virginia

03-restless-design-dorothy-draper-the-greenbrier-west-virginia

04-restless-design-dorothy-draper-the-greenbrier-west-virginia

05-restless-design-dorothy-draper-the-greenbrier-west-virginia

Draper created a new style known as “Modern Baroque,” adding modern flair to a classical style. Some of her most famous works includes; various rooms in The White House, The Waldorf Astoria Towers in New York and closer to home, Adare Manor in Limerick. Can’t really fault her client list!!

The Waldorf Astoria

03-restless-design-dorothy-draper-waldorf-astoria

The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach

colony-ballroom-edited2-1

the-colony-2

Many have taken inspiration from Dorothy’s style. One set of clear fans are the creators of  “Jane The Virgin” TV show. The show is set in Miami is mainly shot around a hotel – The Marbella. The Marbella is like an ode to the daring Dorothy! Bold patterns and daring colours set against a dramatic blue toned back drop make for a bold and memorable hotel interior.

Set design influenced by Dorothy Draper. The Marbella – Jane The Virgin

3-restless-design-jane-the-virgin-interiors-blog

2-restless-design-jane-the-virgin-interiors-blog

635839868307617416-1777317183_jane-the-virgin-season-1-episode-15-8-800x456

restless-design-jane-the-virgin-interiors-blog

Emulate her style

If you’re feeling the love for Dorothy you can try to emulate her style with some statement wallpapers, carpets, colours and furniture. Check out some of our suggestions to help you on your way!

How about some banana leaf wallpaper by Martinque?

martiniques-amazing-banana-leaf-patterned-classic-wallpaper

www.martiniquewallpaper.com

Or the Brazillance Wallpaper Dorothy Draper designed by the lady herself?

brazillance-wallpaper-dorothy-draper-restless-design-blog

www.dorothydraperfw.com

Too much green? How about some pink flamingos???

restless-design-flamingo-wallpaper-wallpaperdirect

http://www.wallpaperdirect.com

Bold pattern floors are a must

restless-design-rug-inspiration-elle-decor-blog

source: elledecor

Check out flor.com for some dramatic carpet options with a modern twist.

restless-design-lasting-greatness-carpet-flor-inspiration

Lasting Greatness www.flor.com

Be sure to include some statement  furniture

Check our these two beauties from the Kate Spade furniture line.

restless-design-worthington-chair-drake-chair-kate-spade

Green Worthington Chair (left)     &      Pink Drake Chair (right)

www.katespade.com/home/furniture

We love the shapes in the Wharton Console table from Dovetail furniture

restless-design-dovetail-furnture-wharton-console-table

http://bellissimodecorstore.com/wharton-console-table-dovetail-furniture/

Bring some pattern in with your curtains, remember with Dorothy Draper more is typically more!

These dotindot curtains by Gotain fit the brief perfectly.

restless-design-gotain-dotindot-curtains

www.gotain.com

Before you start check out our Dorothy Draper inspired board Pinterest. We also recommend checking out Dorothy Draper & Company’s Instagram as it’s full of amazing pictures and quotes!

screen-shot-2016-10-02-at-12-07-13

We will leave you with a quote from Dorothy herself.

Never look back, except for an occasional glance, look ahead and plan for the future. Success is not built on past laurels, but rather on a continuous activity. Keep busy searching out new ideas and, experimentally, keep ahead of the times, or at least up with them.

 

By Aoife Rhattigan, Creative Director, Restless.Design

RESTLESS.DESIGN can help you with your refurbishment project.

Please contact our commercial team at 01-4309555 or email: [email protected] to discuss your requirements with us.