Elsie de Wolfe was an American interior decorator and respectable person in New York, Paris, and London society. She began her professional career in theatre as an actress. In 1894 she joined the Empire Stock Company under Charles Frohman. In 1913 Elsie de Wolfe published her influential book "The House in Good Taste". In 1926 The New York Times described de Wolfe as "one of the most widely known women in New York social life", and in 1935 as "prominent in Paris society". She wasn’t afraid to be outstanding and amazing.
Elsie De Wolfe is considered to be the first woman who made a fortune as an interior designer and can be called the first life style maven of the 20th century. Her decisions about home decor were eagerly seized upon by millions of aspirational women around the country.
"The House in Good Taste" was written 90 years ago but it's just as fresh and perfect now as it was then. Author’s patchwork quilts, lace curtains, rocking wallpaper, paint and apartments. It's amazing how much this fabuluous and informative book still has so much to teach.
Elsie de Wolfe has a unique style of writing that must be understood before you will truly enjoy the book. She has a wit and charm that is backed by such sincerity that few designers today could pull this level of writing off. The book will make you want to find more by or about this stylishly pragmatic decorator.