| Introduction | | | | continues to be felt in the modern world of interior |
| This series of 4 articles takes a brief but informative | | | | design. |
| look at 21 of the most famous and Interior Designers, | | | | Ogden Codman (1863-1951) |
| from the earliest pioneers right through to the most | | | | American interior decorator and architect, Ogden |
| celebrated modern day designers. | | | | Codman spent his childhood in his birthplace of Boston |
| The Pioneers of Interior Design | | | | before heading to France in his youth for a period of |
| Jean-Henri Jansen (1854-1928) | | | | time. Codman had two uncles who influenced him |
| Dutch designer, Jean-Henri Jansen, launched one of | | | | tremendously - architect John Hubbard and decorator |
| the first ever international interior design companies | | | | Richard Ogden. Some of Ogden Codman's works |
| 'Maison Jansen' (House of Jansen) in 1880, which | | | | include Edith Wharton's Newport home, Land's End, the |
| became renowned for designing and creating | | | | Rockefeller family estate of New York client John D. |
| exceptionally beautiful and high quality furniture which | | | | Rockefeller, Jr. and the Newport summer home of |
| would be utilized in a multitude of interior decoration | | | | Cornelius Vanderbilt II. Along with novelist Edith |
| projects. House of Jansen opened branches in 8 of | | | | Wharton, Codman co-authored a guidepost of |
| the major cities of the world. Jansen worked closely | | | | American interior design, 'The Decoration of Houses' in |
| with the talented interior designer Stephane Boudin | | | | 1897. |
| whom he made director of the company. The clients | | | | Frances Elkins (1888-1953) |
| of House of Jansen included Royalty and the rich and | | | | Born in Milwaukee, Frances Adler Elkins was one of |
| famous. | | | | the most prominent interior decorator and designer of |
| Elsie de Wolfe (1865-1950) | | | | the previous century. Sister of the famed Chicago |
| The first lady of interior decoration, Elsie de Wolfe | | | | architect David Adler, Elkins was known for her |
| considered herself an 'ugly child'. This Victorian stage | | | | futuristic designs that brought together different styles |
| actress was a rebel of her times and was credited by | | | | and elements from various periods. They included |
| many to be the inventor of the modern profession of | | | | country French styles, chinoiserie and art deco. The |
| interior design, even though there were already | | | | furnishings featured in her designs included designers |
| established interior designers in her time. Elsie disliked | | | | such as Jean-Michel Frank and Alberto Giacometti. |
| Victorian tastes altogether, her designs were therefore | | | | The career of Elkins that spanned over three decades |
| generally made up of light and bright colors, contrary to | | | | is glittered with many high profile commissions in |
| the drab and gloomy Victorian décor coupled with | | | | Hawaii, the Midwest and northern and southern |
| unnecessary excesses such as heavy velvet | | | | California, none more interesting than the restoration of |
| draperies. This was a pioneering departure from the | | | | the 1830s structure, Casa Amesti in Monterrey, |
| contemporary designs of the time. Elsie's influence | | | | California. |