Edith Wharton is Designing Hollywood

I was first introduced to the eloquent writings of Edith Wharton when I was  nineteen years old.  Since then, she has been my favorite author of all time.  If you aren't familiar with her writings, she was deeply saturated in the upper echelon of 19th century New York aristocracy and she wrote about what she knew.  Her tales are dripping with all things upper class, from the elaborate and ridiculously opulent clothing to the dramatically descriptive architecture and interiors of the homes and buildings her characters inhabited.  Her books sweep you away to hauntingly historic days long gone and remind you of a time that did once exist even if only now relived on our bookshelves and television screens.  

Since Downton Abbey drew in fans of early 20th century English aristocracy, Julian Fellowes who seems to have a knack for these things has now put together a show that takes place in Wharton's America and depicts several real-life characters based on some of Wharton's writings.  I will admit that I have yet to watch the first episode, but am determined to do so as soon as I can find the time between designing Libraries and putting together design courses for Library professionals like yourselves. 

But I'm sure you're asking yourself, "what does this have to do with interior design?"  Well plenty actually, Edith Wharton was not only a brilliant storyteller, but also a connoisseur of great design.  She even co-wrote a book about it titled, "The Decoration of Houses" in 1897.  In fact one of my most prized literary possessions is a 1919 copy used as a text book for the Corcoran School of Art in Washington DC by a student named John Taylor in March of 1921.  It discusses all the intricate design details of homes and buildings in that era.  But the rules and tactics she describes are definitely not just for architectural masterpieces, they are used as basic principles still used to this day.  

So I have come across a really lovely article written in Architectural Digest about just this topic that I thought you might enjoy.  It's quite informative and I hope you'll find it as interesting a read as I have.  

What the Gilded Age can Teach Us About Interior Design

AD has done a great job of explaining Edith Wharton's connection to this televised portrayal of the Gilded Age as well as tying in the design principles carefully laid out in Wharton and Codman's famous design book.  So dive in and discover the timeless design ideals still very much at work today.