Tapestries have been important elements in American interior design both early and late. They were the height of fashion in the 17th and late 19th centuries, and maintained a more modest popularity during the intervening periods.



In the 17th century Americans were determined to be as refined in the Colonies as their countrymen in the Mother Country. The wealthy and socially conscious remained in vogue as much as time and distance allowed, importing British fashions and goods to the growing urban centers.

European-made tapestries were often listed among the most valuable items in estate inventories of the wealthy. As either wall hangings or bed hangings, they were admired by visitors; during this period, the best bed, splendidly adorned with rich tapestry art, was found more often in the parlor than the bedroom or chamber.

By the late 19th century, American industry had given rise to unprecedented wealth, held by families such as the Vanderbilts and Astors. Perceiving themselves as the American aristocracy, they built both urban and country homes modeled after European palaces and grand estates.

Tapestries were an important element in the decorative scheme of such grand houses as George Washington Vanderbilt's Biltmore, the dining room of which featured two massive 16th century tapestries of Vulcan and Venus as the focal point. Like their Colonial counterparts, the 19th century American "royalty" sought to display their very new wealth even as they imitated the interior design fashions of centuries before.

William Morris and his cohorts in the Arts and Crafts movement re-introduced tapestry as both an art form and an element in interior design, and it was once again seen in homes on both sides of the Atlantic. The fashion was short-lived, however, and little innovation in tapestry design appeared for several decades.

A revival of interest in tapestry art began in the mid-20th century. As modern architecture became more austere, large, unbroken walls presented the opportunity for colorful and textural tapestry, executed in designs far removed from the picturesque motifs of centuries before. As an alternative to framed paintings, tapestry art was valued for its portability in an age of increasing mobility.

Nowadays many modern interior decorators are looking again at tapestry art as an answer to their home dè(c)cor options. With a rich history in American interior design, and an endless range to choose from, this always-popular form of textile art is one again been seen as a modern option.

While the popularity of tapestry as a design element has varied throughout American history, the wide range of available motifs and ways to use these intricate, often striking textiles allow for the homeowner to be creative with their use, resulting in an unexpected focal point, large or small, in any period home.

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