Favorite Designer Series: Sister Parish

In the last edition of this new series Interior Designer Extraordinaire Marie Flanigan, several of my lovely readers suggested that I feature iconic designers of the past. I couldn’t have jumped at the idea faster! 

Thanks to your suggestions, I went down a bit of a rabbit hole re-discovering Sister Parish’s work. 

As an avid interior designer enthusiast, I’ve been a long time fan. But after consulting some of my favorite decor books and falling in love with the official Sister Parish Instagram account, I came out with a new appreciation for Parish’s timeless style.

 

Sister Parish – Legendary American Interior Designer

Known as one of the best interior designers in American history, Sister Parish placed her clients’ needs above any design trends while remaining true to her own aesthetic sensitivity.

Sister Parish is best known for her work on the Kennedy White House over 60 years ago. But, you can find her influence everywhere to this day.

Her ground-breaking designs forever changed American homes. We were introduced to a new way of dressing up our homes in elegance while keeping the purpose of each room at the forefront.

Madame Parish’s style was a blend of traditional American decorative art and European elegance. Her designs were sophisticated yet livable. They gave a luxurious feel without ever coming across as overwhelming. 

Who Was Sister Parish? 

A New York’s socialite, Sister Parish (born Dorothy May Kinnicutt in 1910) started her designer career by helping friends and neighbors to style their homes. In 1933 she created her own decorating agency and the rest was décor history.

Her clients included high society families and artists. The Vanderbilts, the Astors, Oscar de la Renta, the Rockefellers and of course, the Kennedys, just to name a few.

As I mentioned before, her interior design creations were made for day-to-day living, not just for posing; an essential factor that contributed  in keeping this style timeless and fad-resilient. 

Sister Parish Style

Her creative vision decorated spaces to look sophisticated yet livable, traditional and quiet but never boring. In her designs, she achieved a balance between what the client wanted to feel in the room, and the room’s actual purpose.

She would mix and match furniture pieces and decorative elements of different styles and time periods and price ranges. This may seem like not a big deal today, but in her times, mismatching styles -and budgets- was unthinkable.

Vibrant and light color schemes. Florals. Stripes. Organic textures. Mismatched Patterns. Colorful floors. Hand-painted white furniture. These are some of the hallmarks Sister Parish’s creations incorporated.
Family heirlooms -whether an expensive antique or a whicker basket- has a special place in her designs.

 

Sister Parish Designs Today

Parish died in 1994, but her name and aesthetic are still synonymous with the iconic design genre she pioneered.

Sister Parish Designs caters to both homeowners and interior designers alike, with stunning collections of linens, dishware and of course, their signature fabrics and wallpapers.

Her granddaughter and great-granddaughter carry on with the brand. They’ve adapted it to the current lifestyle and trends while honoring the traditional foundations of Parish’s original aesthetic.

Now, let’s take a look at some of her stunning work!

Sister Parish Famous Interiors Designs

Mismatched Furniture Living Room Ideas

In this luxe living room, a light color scheme keeps the space light and bright, while a playful mix of patterns, textiles and intricate details all work together in creating a welcoming and refined room.

Similarly, we can see her sense of styling in her own living room. Throughout the room, antiques  are a focal point of the decoration.

Different style of accent and lounge seat, the light curtains and colorful layered rugs add a playful touch. 

A Lush Grandmillennial Style Bedroom

Bursting with vibrant colors this eclectic bedroom is a grandmillennial dream. A multicolored striped carpet and blue walls covered with heavy floral curtains are the main focus. But, the wicker baskets and traditional wooden furniture add a country feel.

 

Charming Bathroom Inspired by the French Country Style

She introduced American homes to new ways of using patterns, she also popularized the concept of making every room feel inviting and fresh.
In addition, she also popularized the idea of giving every room an inviting and fresh feel.

In this bathroom, the lush elements like the pink velvet ottoman, French-inspired vanity, and draped curtains transform an everyday room into a pampering experience.

 

Along with the gallery wall of porcelain dishware (a trend on the rise –  according to Architectural Digest) mirrors and soft aglow lights, this room looks and feels like a personal spa.

The White House – First Interior Designer

Of course, we cannot end this post without mentioning Parish’s exquisite work redecorating the White House during the Kennedy Administration.

In the Oval Room, the soft yellow walls with white trimming and curtains provide an intimate setting. Upholstered in red, beige, and green, the sofas and love seats were comfortable and inviting.

The oriental rugs layered on top of the pale yellow carpet create a bright feeling that pairs perfectly with the styled furniture of different eras.

Although Stéphane Boudin’s took over shortly after and infused the presidential quarters with her  French touch, Parish style is woven throughout each room. Including the famously sophisticated Blue bedroom.

 

One thing is clear, Sister Parish forever changed the way we decorate our homes.

Staying at home more often has led people to rediscover their personal decorating aesthetic, and are now seeking to have their homes reflect their individual style without sacrificing functionality.

Like we’ve seen before with the Grandmillennial and CottageCore trend, this need is making younger people crave a sense of familiarity and personal comfort in their own home.

Which leads me to believe Sister Parish style is not only timeless, but just as relevant as ever and a whole new generation is ready to welcome her into their homes.

Want to know more about home decorating? Check out some of my favorites decor books!

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