Over the decades, there have been dozens of female interior designers that have not only changed how women are viewed in the industry but have also changed how the world of interior design operates. 

These designers are able to turn humble side tables into eye-catching pieces and a rug into the focal point of the room; here are a few of the best and most celebrated female interior designers. 

Dorothy Draper

Born during the late 1800s, Dorothy Draper is one of the most famous and recognizable names in interior design. Draper rose to fame in her 40s, doing the interiors of hotels across the United States. 

Dorothy Draper wasn’t the first major female interior designer, but she was the first one to become famous and incredibly successful in commercial interiors. 

Candace Wheeler

Candace Wheeler, like Draper, was not the first female interior designer, but she was often referred to as the mother of interior design. Born in 1827, Wheeler dedicated herself to helping women gain financial freedom through interior design. 

In 1877, she opened a school named the Society of Decorative Arts; this institution was created to help widows of the American Civil War become skilled in interior design, earn an income, and support themselves and their families. 

Elsie de Wolfe

While there are other names that are bigger and more famous, Elsie de Wolfe is easily the woman that should be credited with putting female interior designers into the spotlight. She is widely recognized as being the first professional female interior designer. 

She started off as a stage actress, but her personal style was noted by everyone around her. A transition to interior design was a no-brainer. Her whimsical and ultra-stylish designs were groundbreaking at the time and still hold up today. 

Clodagh

Clodagh is an Irish-born designer who is pushing the boundaries of minimalism and ultra-chic. She uses sustainable materials, a minimalist approach, and Feng Shui principles to create ultra-modern yet classic spaces. 

She uses a variety of colors and materials to create contrasting yet cohesive spaces that are cozy and comfortable but still highly appealing and functional. 

Charlotte Perriand

Born at the turn of the 20th century, Charlotte Perriand was an architect and designer. Her ideas and designs were often seen ahead of their time, as they were far more edgy than most designs around the time; she utilized metals and leather in ways unseen before. 

Perriand is also famous for redesigning the famous Chaise Lounge, giving it a modern update that we still see today. 

Sister Parish

Born in the early 1900s, Sister Parish is widely regarded as one of the leading women in the female interior design movement in the United States. Even though she was inexperienced and untrained, she opened her first interior design business at the age of 23. 

She was the first cousin of Dorothy Draper; interior designing was clearly in her blood. She started by redecorating her friend’s houses but was eventually hired by Jacqueline Kennedy to redesign the White House, arguably her biggest and most famous job. 

Patricia Urquiola

A woman leading the modern-day female interior designer crusade is Patricia Urquiola. The Spanish designer has been working her magic since her early 20s; she opened her first practice in 2001 and has since expanded to do product design and architecture. 

She is famous for mixing colors and materials in unique ways, as well as turning “serious” spaces into fun and exciting places to be. 

India Mahdavi

India Mahdavi is an Iranian-French designer who has become famous for her eccentric use of color and shape. Not only does she throw the rule book out when it comes to what should and shouldn’t be in a space, but she also does it in a way that is so unique that you’ll remember it forever. 

Mahdavi was inducted into the Interior Designers Hall of Fame in 2019, and the restaurant she designed, Sketch, has been made famous as the most Instagrammable restaurant in the world. 

Kelly Wearstler

A woman is blends contemporary and vintage elegance perfectly, as well as the designer credited with taking West Coast style mainstream; there is very little Kelly Wearstler hasn’t done in her time as a designer. 

She owns and operates her own interior design business and has also designed her own range of furniture and clothing over the years. She is brilliant and modernizing vintage designs while keeping their original feel. 

Alex Hampton

Alex Hampton has transformed interior design and has become a master of fresh formal, taking bold and new steps to freshen up classic designs and ideas. She is consistently regarded as one of the best designers around today and continues to revolutionize the interior design game; not to mention the several awards that prove her talent. 

Victoria Hagan

Victoria Hagan is arguably one of the most famous modern female interior designers. She has authored three books, and her designs have been featured in numerous design and architectural magazines over the years. 

She is seen as a pioneer in the Classic American Luxury movement and has won several awards over the years for her work. 

Photo by Zac Gudakov on Unsplash

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