23 Iconic Interior Designers and Their Best Work

Ever walked into a beautifully designed room and wondered who created it? Interior design isn’t just about arranging furniture. It’s about shaping how we live, work, and feel every single day.

From the light-filled rooms of Elsie de Wolfe to the bold colors of Dorothy Draper, legendary designers have changed ordinary spaces into works of art. They didn’t just follow trends. They created them.

Each designer on this list brought something unique to the world. Some championed minimalism. Others celebrated maximalism. But all of them understood one thing: good design tells a story.

In this guide, you’ll learn how interior design evolved over time, meet famous interior designers who shaped the industry, and find practical ways to develop your own design inspiration.

Let’s get started.

The Evolution of Interior Design

Interior design has come a long way from its roots in decorative arts. In the early 1900s, spaces were heavy with ornate furniture and dark colors. But as society changed, so did our homes.

The post-war era brought simplicity and function. The 1960s added bold colors and experimental forms. Technology changed everything in the 1990s and 2000s.

Suddenly, designers had new materials, digital tools, and global inspiration at their fingertips. Today’s designers are no longer just decorators who pick fabrics and arrange furniture.

They are lifestyle curators who shape how we live, work, and feel. They think about wellness, sustainability, and personal stories.

Cultural shifts like feminism, minimalism, and environmental awareness all left their mark on how we design spaces.

What started as a luxury service for the wealthy became a profession that touches everyone’s daily life.

Legendary Interior Designers and Their Styles

Each of these designers left an indelible mark on the world of interiors, blending artistry, culture, and vision to redefine how spaces tell stories.”

Era Summary:

Era	Period	Notable Designers	Design Essence
Historic Icons	1900s–1980s	Elsie de Wolfe, Dorothy Draper, Billy Baldwin, Sister Parish, Albert Hadley, Jean-Michel Frank	Established interior design as a profession; elegant, classic, and foundational styles
Modern Masters	1980s–2000s	Philippe Starck, Andrée Putman, Jacques Grange, Kelly Hoppen, Peter Marino	Redefined luxury and functionality; bold creativity and international influence
Contemporary Trendsetters	2000s–Present	Kelly Wearstler, Ilse Crawford, India Mahdavi, Joanna Gaines, Nate Berkus, Rose Uniacke	Embrace individuality, sustainability, and emotional connection in modern living

1. Elsie de Wolfe: The First Lady of Interior Decoration

Elsie de Wolfe changed everything. She turned interior design into a real profession. Before her, rooms were dark and cluttered with heavy Victorian furniture.

She brought in light, air, and comfort. Her spaces felt fresh and inviting, not stuffy.

• Nationality: American
• Best Known For: The Colony Club, New York
• Famous Work/Style: Light, feminine, and airy interiors emphasizing comfort and charm

2. Dorothy Draper: The Queen of Bold Color and Glamour

Dorothy Draper wasn’t afraid of color. She used bright shades and dramatic contrasts like no one else. Her hotel interiors had personality and punch.

She made commercial spaces feel like works of art. Her “Modern Baroque” style mixed oversized patterns with Hollywood glamour.

• Nationality: American
• Best Known For: The Greenbrier Hotel, West Virginia
• Famous Work/Style: “Modern Baroque” bold prints, oversized patterns, and Hollywood grandeur

3. Billy Baldwin: Master of Modern Classicism

Billy Baldwin believed in timeless beauty. His designs never felt overdone. He balanced sophistication with real comfort.

Neutral palettes and polished details were his signature. Every space felt calm, refined, and livable.

• Nationality: American
• Best Known For: Cole Porter’s apartment; Billy Baldwin Decorates
• Famous Work/Style: Neutral palettes and polished simplicity

4. Sister Parish: Cozy American Traditionalism

Sister Parish brought warmth into American homes. She loved layered fabrics, chintz, and a country house feel. Her style was casual but luxurious.

She made formal spaces feel like home. Her work on the Kennedy White House showed her gift for cozy refinement.

• Nationality: American
• Best Known For: Kennedy White House renovation
• Famous Work/Style: Layered fabrics, chintz, and homely refinement

5. Albert Hadley: The Visionary Collaborator

Albert Hadley saw rooms as art. He combined architecture with design in a way that felt modern yet classic.

His partnership with Sister Parish became legendary. His work was never loud but always striking. Balance was his genius.

• Nationality: American
• Best Known For: Parish-Hadley Associates
• Famous Work/Style: Understated, balanced, and classically modern

6. David Hicks: Icon of British Chic

David Hicks was fearless with color and pattern. His geometric designs became his trademark.

He designed for British royalty and brought mid-century flair to traditional spaces. His bold palettes still inspire designers today.

Nationality: British

• Best Known For: Interiors for British Royalty
• Famous Work/Style: Geometric prints, bold palettes, and mid-century flair

7. Jean-Michel Frank: The Minimalist Pioneer

Jean-Michel Frank believed less is more. His minimalism wasn’t cold. It was luxurious and tactile.

He used materials like shagreen and parchment to add richness. Every piece in his rooms had purpose and beauty.

• Nationality: French
• Best Known For: Rockefeller Apartment, New York
• Famous Work/Style: Shagreen, parchment, and understated forms

8. Andrée Putman: Redefining Quiet Luxury

Andrée Putman brought French restraint to modern design. Her spaces were monochrome, clean, and sensual.

She helped start the boutique hotel trend with Morgans Hotel in New York. Her work proved that simplicity can be powerful.

• Nationality: French
• Best Known For: Morgans Hotel, New York
• Famous Work/Style: Monochrome tones, clean lines, and boutique hotel revolution

9. Gae Aulenti: The Transformational Designer

Gae Aulenti turned old buildings into cultural landmarks. Her redesign of the Musée d’Orsay in Paris is world-famous.

She respected history but wasn’t afraid to be bold. Industrial elements met romance in her work.

• Nationality: Italian
• Best Known For: Musée d’Orsay, Paris
• Famous Work/Style: Industrial romanticism and spatial modification

10. Philippe Starck: The Futurist of Design

Philippe Starck’s work feels like it’s from the future. He mixes art, technology, and humor in unexpected ways.

His hotel interiors are playful and modern. He doesn’t follow rules. He creates them.

• Nationality: French
• Best Known For: Delano Hotel, Miami; Royalton Hotel, New York
• Famous Work/Style: Modern, sleek, and unconventional interiors

11. Jacques Grange: French Sophistication Personified

Jacques Grange blends old and new with ease. He pairs antiques with contemporary pieces in a way that feels natural.

His design for Yves Saint Laurent’s Paris home showed his mastery. His rooms tell stories without saying a word.

• Nationality: French
• Best Known For: Yves Saint Laurent’s Paris residence
• Famous Work/Style: Eclectic mix with effortless harmony

12. Axel Vervoordt: The Philosopher of Minimalism

Axel Vervoordt designs with deep thought. His spaces feel serene and spiritual. He draws from wabi-sabi, the Japanese philosophy of imperfection.

Natural textures and art fill his rooms. Even celebrities like Kim Kardashian trust his vision.

• Nationality: Belgian
• Best Known For: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s residence
• Famous Work/Style: Natural textures, art integration, and quiet balance

13. Peter Marino: Luxury Meets Sculpture

Peter Marino designs for the world’s biggest luxury brands. His work for Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton boutiques is iconic. He treats interiors like sculptures. His style is bold, masculine, and artistic.

• Nationality: American
• Best Known For: Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton boutiques
• Famous Work/Style: Bold, masculine modernism with artistic edge

14. India Mahdavi: The Queen of Colorful Design

India Mahdavi makes spaces joyful. Her use of color is fearless and thoughtful. Curves, playful forms, and bright hues define her work.

The Gallery at Sketch London is a perfect example. Her designs feel like a celebration.

• Nationality: Iranian-born French
• Best Known For: Sketch London (The Gallery)
• Famous Work/Style: Playful, modern femininity through color storytelling

15. Kelly Wearstler: The Fearless Maximalist

Kelly Wearstler is not afraid of more. She layers patterns, textures, and bold materials with confidence. Her hotel designs mix vintage glamour with modern luxury. Her work is theatrical and unforgettable.

• Nationality: American
• Best Known For: Viceroy and Proper Hotels
• Famous Work/Style: Eclectic patterns, bold materials, and sculptural drama

16. Kelly Hoppen: Serenity Through Simplicity

Kelly Hoppen created a signature look with taupe tones and calm geometry. Her style merges Eastern and Western ideas. She designs for celebrities and yachts. Her rooms feel balanced and peaceful.

• Nationality: British
• Best Known For: Celebrity residences; yacht interiors
• Famous Work/Style: Taupe tones, balanced geometry, and zen-like harmony

17. Ilse Crawford: Human-Centered Design Pioneer

Ilse Crawford designs for the senses. She thinks about how spaces make you feel. Natural materials, warmth, and intimacy define her work.

Ett Hem Hotel in Stockholm feels like a home, not a hotel. That’s her magic.

• Nationality: British
• Best Known For: Ett Hem Hotel, Stockholm
• Famous Work/Style: Natural materials, intimacy, and sensorial detail

18. Nate Berkus: Authentic Everyday Luxury

Nate Berkus designs spaces that tell your story. His work is approachable and meaningful. He became famous through his HGTV shows and personal design philosophy. His style is livable modernism with a narrative.

• Nationality: American
• Best Known For: Nate + Jeremiah Home projects; HGTV shows
• Famous Work/Style: Narrative-driven, livable modernism

19. Joanna Gaines: Farmhouse Chic Innovator

Joanna Gaines made farmhouse style mainstream. Shiplap walls, natural wood, and cozy textures are her trademarks.

Through Fixer Upper and Magnolia Market, she showed that rustic can be refined. Her designs feel comfortable and aspirational.

• Nationality: American
• Best Known For: Fixer Upper; Magnolia Market, Waco
• Famous Work/Style: Shiplap walls, natural woods, cozy textures

20. Jonathan Adler: The King of Happy Chic

Jonathan Adler brings joy to every room. His designs are whimsical, colorful, and full of personality.

He loves mid-century forms and geometric patterns. The Parker Palm Springs hotel shows its playful spirit. His motto: luxury should be fun.

• Nationality: American
• Best Known For: The Parker Palm Springs
• Famous Work/Style: Whimsical modernism, bright palettes, geometric pop

21. Sheila Bridges: Cultural Storyteller in Design

Sheila Bridges uses design to tell powerful stories. Her Harlem Toile de Jouy pattern reimagines classic motifs with cultural depth.

She designed President Clinton’s Harlem office. Her work merges heritage with humor and refinement.

• Nationality: American
• Best Known For: Harlem Toile de Jouy pattern; Clinton’s Harlem office
• Famous Work/Style: Classic American motifs reinterpreted with cultural insight

22. Rose Uniacke: Minimalism Meets Warmth

Rose Uniacke creates spaces that feel both minimal and inviting. She mixes antique pieces with modern restraint. Her London studio showcases her monastic chic style. Her rooms have a lived-in quality that’s quietly luxurious.

• Nationality: British
• Best Known For: Rose Uniacke Design Studio, London
• Famous Work/Style: Monastic chic and lived-in feel

23. Pierre Yovanovitch: Sculptural French Refinement

Pierre Yovanovitch treats every project like a work of art. His interiors blend architecture with handcrafted detail.

Le Coucou Hotel in Méribel shows its monumental minimalism. His spaces feel bespoke and refined.

• Nationality: French
• Best Known For: Le Coucou Hotel, Méribel; Château de Fabrègues
• Famous Work/Style: Monumental minimalism and handcrafted detail

How to Find Your Design Inspiration?

Finding your design inspiration is easier than you think. Start by following top interior designers on Instagram or Pinterest to see their latest projects.

Browse coffee-table books at your local bookstore for timeless ideas. Visit online portfolios and design websites to study different styles. Don’t be afraid to mix vintage pieces with modern comfort.

Save images that spark joy or curiosity. Create mood boards to organize your thoughts. Pay attention to colors, textures, and layouts that evoke a feeling in you.

Visit showrooms, museums, and even hotel lobbies for real-world inspiration. Talk to friends about their favorite spaces. The key is to stay curious and open.

Your personal style will emerge as you collect ideas. For more tips on creating spaces that reflect your personality, explore our guide to modern home décor trends and discover what resonates with you.

Final Thoughts

These famous interior designers prove that great design is timeless.

From Elsie de Wolfe’s light and airy spaces to Pierre Yovanovitch’s sculptural refinement, each designer left a unique mark on the world. They showed us that interior design is more than decorating.

It’s about creating spaces that reflect who we are and how we want to live. Some preferred bold colors and patterns. Others chose quiet minimalism.

But all of them understood that good design improves our daily lives. Now it’s your turn to find inspiration. Study their work. Mix their ideas with your own taste.

Create spaces that tell your story. Ready to change your home? Explore more interior design tips, trends, and inspiration on our blog.

Start designing the space you’ve always wanted today.