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Rose Cumming was the most flamboyant and exciting of the so-called Great Lady Decorators who invented the field of professional decorating and interior design in the early twentieth century. Flavored by surrealism and suffused with drama, her interiors were sumptuous, mixing bold colors and patterns. Her own library had emerald-green walls, a peacock -blue satin sofa, and scarlet japanned chairs. 

Cumming’s famous New York decorating and antiques shop became a stopping point for celebrated personalities such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Andy Warhol, Rudolf Nureyev, and Jacqueline Onassis. Encompassing styles from gothic, Venetian, and Austrian baroque to early Oriental furniture, Cumming would add glittering chandeliers, birdcages, and fine carpets. Her glamorous style was reminiscent of film sets, and Marlene Dietrich and Norma Shearer were among her clients. 

This book, the first on Cumming, is a richly illustrated volume of a great American artist, whose influence is manifest in the ongoing production of Cumming-designed fabrics and wallpapers. Rose Cumming will inspire the interior designer and home decorator, both professional and amateur alike.

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3 thoughts on "Rose Cumming: Design Inspirations"

  1. Jack D. Farris says:

    Great Resource I gave this new book five stars, for quality, honesty, beauty, timeless appeal, and excellence overall. Any young or seasoned designer would love this, whether they knew of Miss Rose or did not. Young designers need to know that these “hat ladies” started the profession, long ago. Jeffrey Simpson is to be commended for an excellent production, evoking the glamour and excitement of the period in which Rose Cumming and her sisters lived and worked. Great gift for the holidays!

  2. Dezigner says:

    informative book about a woman whose fabric designs I sooo enjoy! Rose Cumming has quite the Creative Mind What an interesting, informative book about a woman whose fabric designs I sooo enjoy! Rose Cumming has quite the Creative Mind, an international following, great taste, and a keen eye for detail.

  3. Chicago Gourmand says:

    a must have for the design library A spectacular book covering a little-known (today) taste-maker and driving force behind the interior design profession. One omission, I feel the “heir” to her design legacy was Frances Elkins, by way of picking up the thread Miss Cumming began and carrying it further into the 1940’s and beyond. In any case, a must-have for any aficionado of interior design, antiques and early New York society behavior. Thank you for a fascinating book!

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