Decoratrix

Even the experienced housekeeper, who had been tirewoman to a duchess in her young days, and who shared the office of decoratrix with Jennings and the French maid, Mademoiselle Coralie, newly hired to supplement Jennings in her duties, and be hated accordingly by that waiting damsel—even the housekeeper declared that it would be painting the lily to alter so much as a ruffle of lace, or an inch of satin ribbon.

As female house painters are now being employed at Copenhagen, it is appropriate that the “Moniteur de la Peinture” should depict the decorator—or decoratrix—of the future in the accompanying clever little sketch.

[…], has become the victim of misguided proprietors—the good old word “landlord” it would be inappropriate to use in this connection—who have turned it over for rehabilitation to a “smart” decorator or decoratrix.

Nor is this all; at right angles against the wall, the ingenious decoratrix places a silken panel from which project cylindrical pegs softly padded, scented if the owner wishes, and covered with dainty fabric.

Certified classics are the only objects that gain admittance to these intense and high-strung rooms that are usually the creations of a carefully stylized decoratrix clad in skyscraper heels and a little black dress (with dark glasses to match on days when she is especially tired, which is to say every day).

One of the firm’s clients was Mrs. Ronald Tree (née Nancy Langhorne, and soon to be Nancy Lancaster), a wealthy American grande dame and dilettante decoratrix, who became frustrated with the length of time Colefax & Fowler spent on her project.

The five-thousand-dollar stall renovations completed in just three days last summer were overseen by Horse Beautiful’s own Martá Ezdurta, the irreverent decoratrix and sly CEO of Charming Barns Forever.