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The Beginning
During the 1900s the term "Interior Decorator" was first used. Most decorators had no credentials to be one, but they all had good taste, common sense, and natural talent. This is where it all started. This was when the first Interior Designers came to be. History of Interior Design — IDLNY. “IDLNY.” IDLNY, 2025, www.idlny.org/history-of-interior-design. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025. -
The First Interior Designer
Elsie de Wolfe was the first Interior Decorator to receive a design commission in 1905. Elsie de Wolfe paved the way for future Interior Designers when she became the very first one. Her work and books helped do this. History of Interior Design — IDLNY. “IDLNY.” IDLNY, 2025, www.idlny.org/history-of-interior-design. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025. -
The First Interior Designer Part Two
In 1913 Elsie published the first interior design book, "The House in Good Taste." -
The First Commercial Interior Designer
Dorothy Draper was the first commercial Interior Decorator. She opened her design firm in 1923. Dorothy Draper showed that not only homes can be decorated. This opened new possibilities in the industry. History of Interior Design — IDLNY. “IDLNY.” IDLNY, 2025, www.idlny.org/history-of-interior-design. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025. -
The First Commercial Interior Designer Part Two
Dorothy starts the “Architectural Clearing House" in 1925. -
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A Very Big Name Change
In the 1930s the term "Interior Designer" was introduced by a magazine called "Interior Design and Decoration." That magazine wasn't printed between 1943 and 1952, but a competing magazine "Interiors" insisted on using the term "Interior Designer" as the only term. Changing the name changed what Interior Designers did. Instead of decorating they are designing. History of Interior Design — IDLNY. “IDLNY.” IDLNY, 2025, www.idlny.org/history-of-interior-design. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025. -
The First Organization
In 1931 the largest professional organization in the industry at the time was founded. The name was AIID standing for the American Institute of Interior Decorators. The name was later changed to the American Institute of Decorators in 1936. This was the start of interior design becoming a real profession. From this point on organizations to help the industry started to form. History of Interior Design — IDLNY. “IDLNY.” IDLNY, 2025, www.idlny.org/history-of-interior-design Accessed 21 Mar. 2025 -
Name Change
The name of AIID was later changed to the American Institute of Decorators in 1936. -
Splinter Group
In 1957 NSID, National Society for Interior Designers, was formed. It was a splinter group of the New York Chapter of the AID. -
Another Name Change
In 1961 AID decided to change names again and became the American Institute of Interior Designers, but still had AID as the abbreviation. -
FIDER
In 1970 the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research, FIDER for short, was formed. FIDEr is designed to review and accredit undergraduate and graduate interior design programs. FIDER was a big step in a good direction for the industry. It made sure that people in those programs weren't being scammed. History of Interior Design — IDLNY. “IDLNY.” IDLNY, 2025, www.idlny.org/history-of-interior-design. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025. -
Qualification Exams
The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) was created in 1974. The point of NCIDQ is to develop and administer national interior design qualification exams to students so they can become qualified. The founding of NCIDQ was very important for students. This allowed them to be qualified in interior design. History of Interior Design — IDLNY. “IDLNY.” IDLNY, 2025, www.idlny.org/history-of-interior-design. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025. -
A Big Merge
The two big organizations previously mentioned, AID and NSID, Merge to become one organization. They became the American Society of Interior Designers, ASID. This didn't have that big of an impact. The main thing it did was make everything more confined to one main thing for the industry. History of Interior Design — IDLNY. “IDLNY.” IDLNY, 2025, www.idlny.org/history-of-interior-design. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025. -
Disabilities Included in the Industry
In 1992 the Americans with Disabilities Act became law. ADA requires that all public spaces be accessible for people with disabilities. ADA made a big difference in the commercial side of the industry. Making public spaces accessible to all changed how things were done. History of Interior Design — IDLNY. “IDLNY.” IDLNY, 2025, www.idlny.org/history-of-interior-design. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.