Introduction
Interior design is both an art form and a profession that focuses on enhancing the interior spaces of homes, offices, restaurants, hotels, and other buildings. Skilled interior designers use their creativity and technical knowledge to shape interior environments that are aesthetically pleasing, functionally optimal, and psychologically supportive for their inhabitants.
Over the centuries, influential interior designers have pioneered new styles and set trends in decoration, furniture, spatial layout, materials, and more. Many famous interior designers have made their mark on everything from royal palaces to suburban tract houses. Their work provides inspiration for homeowners, business owners, and fellow designers looking to update and beautify their spaces.
Knowing the top interior designers throughout history and their signature styles can spark ideas and serve as a jumping off point when conceptualizing your own interior design projects. This article will highlight some of the biggest names in interior design from past to present, showcasing the diversity and evolution of the field.
History of Interior Design
The origins of interior design as a formal practice can be traced back to the early 20th century. While decorating and furnishing interiors has been around since ancient times, interior design emerged as a distinct profession in the 1900s. Some of the early pioneers include Elsie de Wolfe, a leading figure in design during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She introduced lighter and brighter color palettes as opposed to the darker Victorian styles that were popular at the time (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elsie-de-Wolfe). Another early influencer was Frances Elkins, who founded her interior design firm in San Francisco in 1915. She favored opulent French and English furnishings and bold color combinations. Her designs set a high standard for luxury interiors.
As the profession evolved, various styles and specializations emerged. The middle of the 20th century saw the rise of mid-century modern style pioneered by designers like Florence Knoll. This style focused on clean lines, open spaces, and integration of indoor and outdoor living. Later movements like postmodernism introduced eclectic, playful elements back into design. Overall, interior design has grown into a multi-faceted field encompassing residential, commercial, hospitality, healthcare and other specialties. Practitioners today draw on various styles, principles and technologies to create functional and aesthetically appealing interiors. The history of interior design provides an important foundation for work in the field today.
Famous Interior Designers Through the Ages
Interior design has evolved dramatically over the centuries, shaped by visionaries who pushed the boundaries of style and creativity. Here are some of the most influential interior designers from different eras who left their mark on the field:
Elsie de Wolfe (1865-1950)
Known as the "first lady of interior decoration," Elsie de Wolfe pioneered the profession in early 20th century America. She introduced lighter, livelier interiors compared to the dark, heavy Victorian style, favoring pale walls, chintz fabrics, mirrored screens, and animal print upholstery. Her famous projects include the Colony Club in New York and Versailles' Villa Trianon. De Wolfe also coined the term "interior decorator."
Sister Parish (1910-1994)
Sister Parish established the quintessential American country house style. She favored relaxed elegance with natural fabrics, slipcovers, and unpretentious antiques. Parish rejected modern minimalism, embracing cozy rooms filled with books, paintings, and objets d'art. Her influential projects include the Kennedy White House, Brooke Astor's apartment, and the Bush family homes.
Philippe Starck (b. 1949)
The French designer Philippe Starck brought irreverent wit and whimsy to interiors. Completely eschewing tradition, he favored futuristic, imaginative forms. His unconventional, sculptural furnishings challenged the boundaries of function. Starck's projects include hotels like the Mondrian in Los Angeles, restaurants for chef Alain Ducasse, and consumer products like the Juicy Salif lemon squeezer.
These three iconic figures demonstrate how interior design continuously reinvents itself, reflecting changing tastes and cultural trends.
Contemporary Superstar Designers
Several interior designers are shaping today's trends and styles with their innovative visions and celebrity clientele. Here are a few of the most influential:
Kelly Wearstler is one of the most recognizable names in interior design. Known for her bold use of color, patterns, and textures, Wearstler has designed spaces for Cameron Diaz, Gwen Stefani, and other celebrities. Her signature style combines classical and vintage elements with contemporary twists. Some of her most famous projects include the Viceroy hotels and the Avalon Beverly Hills (https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/most-famous-interior-designers-working-today).
Nate Berkus balances sophisticated and relaxed designs for high-profile clients like Oprah Winfrey. His easy, livable style features natural materials and neutral palettes punctuated with punches of color and pattern. He has designed notable homes and commercial spaces across the U.S. and has a successful product line at Target (https://www.decorilla.com/online-decorating/famous-interior-designers/).
Bobby Berk applies his background in design and carpentry to create functional, innovative spaces on a budget. As host of Netflix's Queer Eye reboot, Berk has gained immense popularity. His designs emphasize maximalism and bold personality. Berk has completed makeovers for hundreds of deserving people on the show (https://foyr.com/learn/top-celebrity-interior-designers/).
Notable Young Designers to Watch
A new generation of interior designers are making a name for themselves with their fresh perspectives and bold visions for the future of design. These young talents are pushing boundaries and bringing a youthful energy to the industry.
Duett Interiors, founded by Emily Summers and Abbey Stark, is an LA-based firm quickly gaining notoriety for their sophisticated yet livable interiors with a California vibe. Their laidback elegance and effortless styling has landed them in publications like Architectural Digest (1).
Prospect Refuge Studio, led by brothers Jake and Alex Arnold, is an upstart New York firm making waves with nature-inspired designs featuring organic materials and textures. The Arnold brothers predict biophilic design being a major trend, bringing the outdoors in (2).
David Lucido, based in Chicago, is drawing attention for his bold, contemporary interiors. Lucido foresees a movement away from all-white, sterile spaces toward warmer, more personal environments. His designs feature striking use of color, texture, and artistic flair (3).
These rising talents prove the future of interior design is in good hands. Their fresh perspectives and boundary-pushing creativity promise exciting innovations in years to come.
Influential Interior Designers by Region
Interior designers around the world draw inspiration from the local cultures, materials, and aesthetics of their regions. Here are some notable interior designers who reflect regional styles and influences in their work:
Kelly Hoppen (UK) - Based in London, Kelly Hoppen is one of Britain's most famous interior designers. Her elegant, neutral-toned designs fuse Asian and British contemporary styles. Clean lines, textured fabrics, and organic shapes feature prominently in her relaxing interiors.
Peter Marino (USA) - Peter Marino is a leading American interior architect known for his work with luxury brands. His designs incorporate bold colors and materials, blended with art and bespoke furniture. Marino's style epitomizes glamorous, upscale interiors rooted in American culture.
Kengo Kuma (Japan) - Japanese architect Kengo Kuma is renowned for nature-inspired interiors drawing from traditional Japanese materials and aesthetic principles. His signature style features natural wood, stone, light, and organic forms to create serene, minimalist spaces. Kuma gracefully fuses tradition with contemporary trends.
Kelly Wearstler (USA) - Based in California, Kelly Wearstler's vibrant signature style plays with color, texture, and pattern. With an emphasis on imaginative details and custom furnishings, her designs encapsulate the laidback glamour of West Coast living in the US.
Specialist Interior Designers
Some interior designers choose to specialize in certain types of spaces and develop niche expertise. Here are some of the top specialist interior designers to know:
Kelly Wearstler: Known for her glamorous and vibrant hotel designs, Wearstler has created iconic interiors for luxury hotels like The Beverly Hills Hotel, Viceroy Hotels, and Maison 140. She expertly combines bold patterns, rich textures, and sophisticated styling for upscale hospitality spaces. Her signature look mixes old Hollywood glamour with contemporary edge. https://foyr.com/learn/types-of-interior-design-businesses/
Joanna Gaines: As one half of the home renovation duo on HGTV's Fixer Upper, Gaines focuses on farmhouse style interiors for residential spaces. Her designs incorporate vintage finds, natural materials, classic patterns, and cozy, livable spaces for families. She has authored design books and developed her own home decor line for a full lifestyle brand. Gaines is known for her keen eye for blending modern and traditional elements into rustic, charming homes.
Ryan Korban: Based in New York City, Korban is the go-to designer for upscale, high-fashion residential interiors. His projects include lavish penthouses, lofts, and apartments for high-profile clients and luxury developers. Korban's aesthetic combines avant-garde and glamorous influences for statement-making, contemporary living spaces. His bold use of color, pattern, and texture creates one-of-a-kind interiors.
Notable Interior Design Firms
There are many leading interior design studios from around the world that are known for their innovative designs and impressive portfolios. Some of the top firms include:
Gensler (https://interiordesign.net/research/top-100-giants-2022/) - The largest architecture firm in the world, Gensler has over 6,000 professionals across 50+ locations. They are known for their expertise in workplace, retail, hospitality, and residential design. Some of their notable projects include the Shanghai Tower, the Istanbul New Airport, and the Four Seasons Resort in Hawaii.
Perkins&Will (https://interiordesign.net/research/interior-design-top-100-giants-2023/) - Founded in 1935, this global firm has studios all over North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. They specialize in commercial, hospitality, healthcare, education, and civic projects. Notable works include the Facebook Headquarters in Menlo Park, the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and the Shanghai Natural History Museum.
Wilson Associates (https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/interior-design-companies-employees-love-working-for) - This leading hospitality design firm has completed projects in over 60 countries. They are known for their work on luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, and resorts. Some recent projects include the Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square, the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, and the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong.
Awards and Recognition
Interior designers are recognized through prestigious awards that highlight their outstanding work and contributions to the field. Some of the major awards in interior design include:
Interior Design's Best of Year Awards - Considered the Oscars of the design industry, these awards honor the best residential and commercial projects of the year across over 70 categories.
Elle Decor's A-List - An annual list recognizing top designers and architects who are influencing design worldwide.
International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Awards - Honors excellence in commercial and residential space design across the globe.
Hospitality Design Awards - Celebrates the best hotel, restaurant, and leisure interior design projects each year.
Several of the notable designers mentioned earlier in this article have been recognized by these major awards. For example, Kelly Wearstler won Interior Design's Best of Year Award for Residential Space in 2022. Nate Berkus was named to Elle Decor's A-List in 2021. The IIDA Awards honored Yabu Pushelberg with the Best of Competition Award in 2020.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored numerous influential interior designers and firms from around the world. From early 20th century pioneers like Elsie de Wolfe to contemporary superstars like Kelly Wearstler, interior designers have shaped the way we live and work through creative, inspiring designs. We discussed designers known for their bold use of color like Jonathan Adler, minimalists like John Pawson, and specialists like hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany.
Interior design remains an important and evolving field, as spaces must continue adapting to our changing lifestyles and needs. The designers featured here represent some of the top talent propelling the industry forward with their visionary work. We hope reading about their contributions and signature styles was both informative and inspiring.
There are many more talented interior designers to discover beyond those covered here. Let this article serve as a starting point for further exploration of this creative profession that does so much to enhance our built environments.
