"In the United States, the practice of interior design has been considered women's territory, regarded by the majority of architects, most of whom are male, as a lesser discipline. In the past 150 years, however, designing women have made their mark, first as domestic decorators and since the late 1940s as interior designers responsible for the planning, furnishing, and execution of the interior architecture of multimillion dollar corporate, financial, and other "important" environments for thousands of people." "Women of Design profiles thirty-two of these working women: the first generation of American women to dominate the world of commercial interior design, a multibillion dollar industry in the United States. They have overcome gender discrimination to establish themselves successfully as heads of their own independent practices or as valued principals in some of the largest interior design firms in the country. They have excelled as creators of spaces and products and as business people, serving as models for and opening the doors to a new generation of American women interior designers. Their designs for a variety of projects, ranging from retail, office, commercial, hotel, and restaurant environments, as well as residential gems, stand as proof of the immense pool of talented women who have emerged as leaders in a particular industry. Some of those included have also entered the world of design education, serving as deans and teachers at prominent design schools, molding and training future talents." "These remarkable women designers from every corner of the nation offer insights into their struggle to achieve success, revealing their personal and professional philosophies. Photographs of some of their finest achievements are included in this colorful and groundbreaking volume that serves as a testament to the enormous achievements American women have made in this field during the past century."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved