Bernard Design International renderings
Online Access
Available digital items: https://digital.archives.newschool.edu/index.php/Detail/collections/KA000301.
Summary
In 1960, Bess Bernard established her own company, Bernard Design International, Ltd., specializing in interior design projects for commercial and residential spaces. The collection (1960s-1980s) consists of forty-two watercolor and pencil renderings produced by various artists for Bernard Design International.
Dates
- 1960s-1980s
Creator
- Bernard Design International (Organization)
- Bernard, Bess M. (Designer, Person)
Extent
3.1 Cubic Feet (2 oversize boxes, 4 oversize folders (42 illustrations))
Language of Materials
English
Scope and Contents of Collection
The collection contains watercolor and pencil renderings created for residential and commercial projects throughout the New York metropolitan area and Florida. Although the firm retained international clients, no renderings for these projects are included in the collection. The bulk of the renderings are unsigned. None of the renderings are dated.
The collection contains a sample of the firm's work, primarily one to three renderings for each client. Corporate clients include Burlington Mills for the designer Anne Klein, the Friar's Club, Gherardini, Potamkin car dealership, Sak's Fifth Avenue, and the Singer Company.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research use. Please contact archivist@newschool.edu for appointment.
Use Restrictions
To publish images of material from this collection, permission must be obtained in writing from the New School Archives. Please contact: archivist@newschool.edu.
Historical note
Bess Bernard established Bernard Design International, Ltd., and served as president of the interior design firm. Specializing in corporate and residential projects, Bernard Design International's work included house and apartment interiors as well as offices, clubs, dining establishments, and commercial spaces. Notable clients included the Friar's Club and Sak's Fifth Avenue.
Prior to establishing Bernard Design International, Bess Bernard worked for New York-based interior decorator Melanie Kahane. Bernard later started her own business, "Bess Bernard Interiors." She was a member of the National Society of Interior Designers (NSID, later ASID).
Organization and Arrangement
Arrangement is alphabetical by client or by subject.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Bess Bernard, 2001.
- Anne Klein (Firm)
- Burlington Industries, Inc
- Friars Club (New York, N.Y.)
- Interior decoration (Subject) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Interior decoration rendering (Subject) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Interior designers (Occupation) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Renderings (Type of Material) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Saks & Company (New York, N.Y.)
- Women interior decorators (Subject) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Women-owned business enterprises (Subject) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Bernard Design International renderings
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- New School Archives and Special Collections Staff
- Date
- January 29, 2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English