Commercial Interior / History of Women in Interior Design

                           

Commercial Interiors

& History of Women in 

Interior Design 

       Commercial interiors in the twentieth century reveal how deeply design is tied to the changing nature of work, culture, and economic life. If skyscrapers are the cathedrals of the modern age, then the office interior became something like a sanctuary (though unlike historic sacred spaces, these interiors were constantly changing and rarely preserved). Only a few, like Johnson Wax and John Deere, still exist, while many others, including Paul Rudolph’s Burroughs Welcome Laboratories and the SOM/Knoll Connecticut General Life complex, have disappeared over time. Early office design was shaped by Taylorism, with a focus on efficiency and order, but this gradually shifted toward more flexible ideas like the open plan and Burolandschaft, especially with innovations like Herman Miller’s Action Office in 1964. These spaces also reflected broader design trends, from the smooth, modern look of streamline modern to the more place sensitive ideas of critical regionalism, sometimes even incorporating textiles like Batik and Ikat to add character. Economic and cultural shifts played a big role too, from the excess of the gilded age to the shock of the stock market crash on October 29, 1929, while landmark moments like the completion of the Seagram Building in 1958 and the opening of McDonald’s corporate headquarters in 1981 show how office design continued to evolve alongside modern business culture.

        Women have long shaped the field of interior design, even if their contributions weren’t always fully recognized at the time. Early figures like Elsie de Wolfe helped define the profession by moving away from heavy Victorian interiors and creating spaces that felt lighter and more comfortable, while Dorothy Draper brought a bold, expressive approach that changed how people thought about color and pattern in both residential and commercial spaces. In more recent decades, designers like Clodagh have focused on how interiors can support wellness and the human senses, and Petra Blaisse has pushed the boundaries of the field by combining textiles, architecture, and landscape in unexpected ways. Together, these designers show how women have continually expanded interior design beyond simple decoration, shaping it into a more thoughtful and interdisciplinary practice while gradually gaining the recognition they deserve.

                                                                  Loop chair - Francis Elkins

                                              Eero Saarimen - John Deere HQ - Moline, IL

    CURRENT APPLICATIONS

                                                                    Textured Wallpaper

                                                                            Curtain Wall

                                                                            Glass Ceiling

                                                                    Coffee Shop Design 

                                                                    Commercial Design

           ONE STEP FURTHER

        I originally started out wanting to pursue residential interior design because I liked the idea of creating personal, meaningful spaces for individuals and families. Over time, my perspective shifted as I learned more about the field and the range of possibilities within it. I realized that commercial design offered opportunities to think on a much larger scale and to create environments that impact far more people on a daily basis. Instead of designing for just one household, I could shape spaces that are experienced by entire communities, offices, restaurants, hotels, and public environments where design becomes part of everyday life. 

        That idea really resonated with me, because it felt like my work could be more visible and influential, not just something private but something shared. I also found that commercial design challenges me in new ways, pushing me to consider functionality, branding, and user experience all at once. I’m especially thankful that the commercial design industry has grown so much, creating more opportunities to innovate and reach broader audiences. In the end, the shift wasn’t about leaving residential design behind, but about realizing that commercial interiors aligned more closely with my goals of creating impactful, widely experienced spaces.