Dorothy Draper, the Grand Dame of decorating, knew how to deck the halls in style for a Merry Christmas.
Entertaining is Fun! Dorothy Draper, 1941
In her 1941 book, Entertaining is Fun!, Dorothy Draper provided housewives with advice on How To Be A Popular Hostess.
Entertaining is Fun! Dorothy Draper, 1941
No detail ever missed the decorator’s eye.
First impressions were of the upmost importance to Dorothy Draper, so it was only natural to begin her Christmas entertaining advice at the front door.
Here’s the decorator’s advice for “welcoming guests the minute they get out of the car”, from her book Entertaining Is Fun!
Dorothy Draper’s Christmas Advice. Image: IDH
1. A laurel wreath that is big enough and lovely enough to be more than a mere conventional gesture.
2. Posed against a door, lacquered a dark shiny green, as serenely weatherproof as it is smart.
Dorothy Draper’s Christmas Decorating. Image: IDH
3. A big brass knocker, polished till you can see your face in it. A big door mat on which you can really stamp off the snow.
4. A big black-and-white Dog – yours may be gray or brown – to wag a welcome to his friends and yours, as only a nice Dog can.
Dorothy Draper’s Dalmatian. Image: IDH
You just have to love Dorothy Draper!
What other Interior Design Hound has ever suggested a DOG to welcome holiday guests?
Seriously. “Wag a welcome?”
I found the Dalmatian-loving Dorothy Draper’s best Christmas advice was offered up in her syndicated newspaper column, Ask Dorothy Draper…
Ask Dorothy Draper. Image: IDH
Later, I’ve got to let the Dog out,
Taffy, our charming 
