Elsie de Wolfe, known as the first lady of interior decorating, began her career intent on ushering out the dull ornamentation and heavy furnishings popular during the reigning Victorian period. “I believe in plenty of optimism and white paint, comfortable chairs with lights beside them, open fires on the hearth and flowers wherever they ‘belong,’ mirrors and sunshine in all rooms,” wrote de Wolfe in her book, The House in Good Taste. From her first commission as decorator of the Colony Club in New York in 1905, de Wolfe lightened up the interiors of her day, and her guiding principles still inspire today. They offer no-fail decorating solutions to bring your home out of Old-Man Winter's grasp into the open arms of a coming spring.
When she designed it, the Colony club became an avant-garde example for the practice of interior decoration. It contained all of the elements that would become classic de Wolfe style. Using some of her most frequent design ideas as inspiration, you can create a fresh new look for one or all of your rooms…just in time for spring.
Using Trellis as Decoration
Fully illustrating the concept of bringing the outdoors in, de Wolfe had the walls of one room in the Club clad entirely in garden trellis. The look is perfect for small, typically sunny spaces such as breakfast rooms, sunrooms, and entryways. Trellis painted in muted colors—the trellis in the Colony Club was soft green—maintains an airy feel. Also, try gray, taupe, or pale yellow. If wall-to-wall trellis is not your style, that is okay. “Here indeed is a delightful medium for your fancy,” de Wolfe wrote in her book. To get the look without overpowering, just scale down the application. Use trellis below a chair rail only, create pieces of art to hang around the room, or make a room divider. Another option is the fifth wall. Place white trellis on a ceiling painted soft blue and imagine yourself under a beautiful spring sky all day… and night.
Painting Furniture
In today’s DIY-driven society, painting furniture is a regularly scheduled project. It is an idea heralded by de Wolfe as charming and delightful, two perfect words to describe how a newly decorated space should feel. Whether for dining, sleeping, or just living, freshly painted furniture brings new life to a room. Try any of these ideas de Wolfe practiced throughout her decorating career:
- White paint is modern and classic all at once. At the Colony Club, de Wolfe specified simple white painted furniture for a private dining room. It brightens a dull space and works well with most décor. Adding a coat of white to mismatched furniture pieces creates a unified look. Neutral, like cream or gray, and light colors have the same effect.
- Get creative with freehand or stenciled designs. De Wolfe cites fabric, pictures, and collectibles as inspiration for what to paint on furniture. Find your perfect pattern in a work of art, a beautiful fabric remnant, or even a favorite book.
- Go with simple lines influenced by the colors of the room. You do not have to paint a masterpiece on your furniture to get the look. Simply outline straight edges or color in the designs of the furniture. Pick your favorite color from the room and paint it on white furniture. Otherwise, use paint several shades darker than the actual piece. For example, a soft yellow chest could have the drawers and edges outlined in a rich gold tone.
