Dorothy Draper colors
22nd Apr. '08 • Design & Decorating Resources , Today's Decorating Dilemma • Tags: benjamin-moore, bold colors, color-combinations, dorothy draper, interior designers, paint, paint colors, pink, pretty in pink
Authored by Kate Smith
Today’s color dilemma…
I’ve been reading about Dorothy Draper but most of the pictures are in black and white. Can you give me some examples of the colors she actually used? I’d like to decorate my apartment in bold colors and thought her palette could inspire me. Thanks, Riley K.
Kate suggests…
Benjamin Moore put together a special palette of their colors that captured the style of Dorothy Draper a year or two ago for a museum retrospective show. Here are the colors they included:
Dorothy Draper was the Grand Dame of using bright, bold color and texture combinations in her day and thought to be quite outlandish. While in her day using these hues might have seemed quite brazen today it is no longer that unusual and in fact quite fashionable.
Find out more about America’s first interior designer in my article on Sensational Color…
Resources:
- Type in your zip code for a list of Benjamin Moore dealers near you.
- Do you have a color dilemma? Post it in the Makeover Gallery at RoomVues.com and you could be the next reader to have your color question answered on the Color For Your Home blog.
**Please note: Due to individual computer monitor limitations, colors seen here may not accurately reflect the paint colors. Please refer to an actual sample of the paint for an accurate rendition of the color.


May 1st, 2008 at 7:47 pm
What beautiful colours. I find it so intriguing that she made her impact almost 100 years ago but the colours she chose are so intriguing and relevant to today. Thanks for sharing!
May 1st, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Hi Jill,
Yes, I thought the same thing when I saw them. I love the fact that she was willing to go against what was the norm and follow her own vision. Very courageous for anyone no less a woman of her time.
Thanks for sharing your comment~Kate
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:50 am
alllllllllllllllllll beautifulllllllllll!!!!!!!!!
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Thanks for the comment Patricia! ~Kate
May 6th, 2008 at 11:18 am
[...] Sensational Color has a nice post on the favorite colors of famed interior decorator, Dorothy Draper. I thought you’d enjoy [...]
May 6th, 2008 at 11:20 am
I shared this post with my readers today. Draper’s influence is enjoying renewed interest today. Thanks for writing an excellent article.
May 6th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Thanks Jennifer. I appreciate the kind words. I hope your readers enjoy seeing the vibrant colors of Dorothy Draper.