Designers frequently have a major role in choosing and installing beautiful tapestries and carpets to best effect in interiors. They are acutely aware of the impact a work will have in a space, being mindful of light, both natural and artificial, the object’s palette and scale and whether its design expresses movement or creates calm. Context is important whether the intention is to create something cosy and comfortable rather than grand or formal.
Every generation has produced exceptional designers – some specialising in contemporary, others in traditional and historic interiors. One of the great connoisseurs of tapestry was Stanford White who used great tapestries in his clients interiors as well as collecting them himself. Elsie de Wolfe likewise bought important pieces for herself and her clients (see Crocker Tapestry), which included Henry Clay Frick.
At the other end of the spectrum was Syrie Maugham and Eileen Gray who embraced Modernism and produced or commissioned exquisite modernist carpets. Maison Jansen in Paris was an early proponent of combining traditional furnishings with new and innovative design trends. Some designers came from other careers – Renzo Mongiardino began his career as a set designer but eventually accepted some of the most prestigious commissions.
Today the most imaginative designers have gone beyond subtly combining old and new, they are deliberately creating drama and visual excitement in spaces by unexpectedly juxtaposing the art works of the past with cutting edge contemporary art of today.
Significant interiors using distinguished carpets, tapestries and textiles have been created over the last 100 years by the following designers:
Billy Baldwin, Stéphane Boudin, Nina Campbell, J M Carrêre, Sibyl Colefax, Robert Couturier, Robert Denning, Thierry Despont, Elsie de Wolfe, Jamie Drake, Dorothy Draper, David Easton, Vincent Fourcade, John Fowler, Jacques Garcia, Jacques Grange, Albert Hadley, Mark Hampton, Thomas Hastings, Maison Jansen, Jed Johnson, Chester Jones, Peter Marino, Syrie Maugham, Juan Pablo Molyneux, Jaime Parladé, Renzo Mongiardino, Jean Munro, Wendy Nicholls, Sister Parish, Alberto Pinto, Henri Samuel, Michael Smith, George Spencer, John Stefanidis, Rose Tarlow, Stanford White