This article forms part of the Decorative and Applied Arts Encyclopedia, a master reference hub providing a structured overview of design history, materials, movements, and practitioners.
Candace Wheeler was an American textile and wallpaper designer. She was born in Delhi, New York and professionally active in New York. Long before there was Martha Stewart, Candace Wheeler helped bring a woman’s touch to the male-dominated field of interior design in 19th century America by teaching wealthier women how to make their homes more comfortable.
Biography
But the portrait of one of the most unlikely careers in American history is irresistible here, for Candace Wheeler wasn’t just an interior designer in an age when women didn’t at least work in careers. She became an interior designer at the age of 49 when women were definitely past their prime.
Two events changed her life
The two events that would change this artistic Long Island wife and mother’s life occurred in America’s centennial year. Wheeler visited the Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, where she saw a display of embroidery by the British Royal School of Art Needlework. In 1876, Wheeler lost her beloved eldest daughter, who died of kidney disease at age 31. The loss, Wheeler wrote, “changed my whole attitude toward Ufe and taught me its duties, not only to those I loved but to all who needed help and comfort .” By the time Wheeler died in 1923 at the age of 96, the generation of feminists who three years earlier won the vote for women had been reading versions of her biography since 1888, when the first known version appeared in a book called Successful Women.
Beginnings as an Artist
An amateur artist who painted china and rendered needlework, she was greatly influenced by the Royal School of Art Needlework’s embroideries in London that she saw at the 1876 Philadelphia ‘Centennial Exposition.’ In 1877, she became vice-president, and corresponding secretary of the New York Society of Decorative Art, where classes were taught by Louis Comfort Tiffany, John La Farge, Lockwood de Forest, and Samuel Colman. In 1878, she founded the Women’s Exchange, which, until the 1980s, sold goods, crafts, and foodstuffs on Madison Avenue. In 1879, she was hired by Louis Comfort Tiffany as a textile specialist in his new decorating firm Associated Artists, where, until it was dissolved in 1883, she designed wallpaper.
A Busy Life
She continued designing textiles for a firm managed by her son and assisted by her daughter Dora until 1907. She invented new techniques in textile production; designed fabrics for silk mill Cheney Brothers of Connecticut; was appointed director of the Bureau of Applied Arts for the New York State stand at the 1892 Chicago ‘World’s Columbian Exposition,’ and was the interior decorator of the Women’s Building there. She wrote Household Art (1893), Content in a Garden (1901). How to Make Rugs (1902), Principles of Home Decoration (1903), The Development of Embroidery in America (1921), and the autobiography Yesterdays in a Busy Life (1918).
Sample of Work
Recognition
She received first prize at 1879 New York Society of Decorative Art exhibition (portiere design) and 1881 design competition (first prize; her daughter Dora won fourth prize} sponsored by wallpaper manufacturer Warren and Fuller.
Sources
Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing.
Lynn, C. (2002, Oct). Candace wheeler: The art and enterprise of american design, 1875-1900. American Craft, 62, 56-57. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/3I0veBc
Additional Reading
Burke, D. B. (1986). In pursuit of beauty: Americans and the Aesthetic Movement. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/3199u5F.
Kirkham, P. (2000). Women designers in the Usa, 1900-2000: Diversity and difference. Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/3FUXWSl.
Wilson, R. G., Eyring, S., & Marotta, K. (2006). Re-creating the american past: Essays on the colonial revival. University of Virginia Press. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/3cZWhyt.
Yankee Books. (2005). 1,001 Old-time household hints: Timeless Bits of Household Wisdom for today’s home and garden. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/3FS0rEY.
More on American Textile Design
The Pussy Power Hat: A Symbol of Solidarity and Resistance
The Pussy Power Hat, a symbol of feminist resistance and unity, gained global recognition during the Women’s March, with its acquisition by V&A museum signifying its cultural significance.
The Artistry of Navajo Rugs: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation
Navajo rugs are a testament to cultural exchange and artistic evolution. From European influence to a revival of traditional craftsmanship, they embody rich heritage and innovative design.
‘The Textile Show’ Coming to Los Angeles in February
Los Angeles is set to host The Textile Show in February, an event showcasing the latest trends in textile innovation, led by former industry experts.
Candace Wheeler: The Art and Enterprise of American Design
Candace Wheeler rose to prominence as the top late-nineteenth-century American textile designer by educating herself to match and eventually surpass the achievements of advanced European designers. She transitioned from needlework to fabric and interior design.
Tammis Keefe (1913 – 1960) American Textile Designer
Tammis Keefe (1913–1960) was a prominent American textile designer known for vibrant, playful designs on handkerchiefs and kitchen textiles, leaving a lasting artistic legacy.
Ruth Reeves (1892 – 1966) American Textile Designer
Ruth Marie Reeves (1892–1966), an American Art Deco textile designer, incorporated Cubism and indigenous motifs into her innovative fabric creations showcased at Radio City Music Hall.
Boris Kroll (1913 – 1991) American Textile Designer
Boris Kroll, an influential American textile designer, founded Boris Kroll Fabrics in 1946 and made significant contributions to modernizing handloom production.
Judith Leiber (1921 – 2018) American Designer of Handbags
Judith Leiber, a Hungarian-born handbag designer, rose to fame with her whimsical, crystal-encrusted minaudières. Her purses earned her international acclaim and are revered as works of art.
Jack Lenor Larsen (1927 – 1920) American Textile Designer
Jack Lenor Larsen, a prominent American textile designer, revolutionized the industry with his innovative fabrics and contributions to architecture and design.
Alexander Girard (1907 – 1993) American Interior, & Textile Designer
Alexander Girard (1907-1993) was a versatile designer known for his work with Herman Miller, influence of folk art, and diverse architectural projects.
Mainbocher (1890 – 1976) – Simplicity without Boredom
Mainbocher, a noted French designer working in New York after WWII, aimed for classic integrity in his 1945 spring collection, emphasizing simplicity and varied fabrics.
Thomas Lamb – Industrial Designer – “The Handle Man”
Thomas Babbit Lamb, an influential American industrial designer, revolutionized handle designs by combining anatomy, art, and business, leaving a lasting impact.
Gere Kavanaugh American Textile, Industrial & Interior Designer
Gere Kavanaugh, a prominent American designer, made significant contributions to textile, interior, and industrial design. Her diverse work earned her several prestigious awards.
