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Eleanor Horst interior decoration photographs and renderings

 Collection
Identifier: KA-0026-01

Summary

After graduating from the New York School of Fine and Applied Art (later, Parsons School of Design) in 1936, Eleanor Horst (1892-1995) led a long career as an interior decorator. The collection includes photographs and slides of Horst projects, as well as numerous renderings of Horst designs, several by fellow Parsons graduate Lyman Martin.

Dates

  • 1930s - 1997

Creator

Extent

2.9 Cubic Feet (3 boxes, 2 oversize boxes, 3 folders, 2 oversize folders)

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Contents of Collection

The collection contains biographical materials, photographs, renderings and sketches documenting Eleanor Horst's decorating projects. Although the bulk of the collection features residential interiors, a church and an office are also represented. The collection contains no personal materials, business records, or student work. It is organized into three series by format.

Biographical materials include directory listings and a certificate from the American Institute of Interior Designers. Photographs are primarily comprised of black and white prints, many glued onto matboard. The series also includes 35mm slides, stereo slides, color transparencies, and color snapshots documenting Eleanor Horst's decorating projects. The bulk of the photographic materials are unidentified by client or by date, although a number of prints feature photographers' stamps. Henry Fullerton and F.S. Lincoln are the most heavily represented. Identified clients include the Buchman, Kalmus [?], Notkin, Sarnoff, Stern, and Wilk families of New York City and Westchester. This series also includes slides depicting interior renderings that remain in the possession of Horst's granddaughter.

Renderings, drawings, and sketches includes graphic representations of residential interiors and furnishings designed by Eleanor Horst. Several watercolor renderings are signed by Lyman L. Martin, while a set of renderings titled, "lacquered furniture," are signed by Linsley Fillmore.

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.

Biographical note

Eleanor Golding Horst was born in 1892. She graduated from the New York School of Fine and Applied Art (later, Parsons The New School for Design) in 1936 and commenced a decorating career spanning over half a century. She served as a consultant for a magazine and had an office on East 53rd Street in New York to which she commuted from her home in Greenwich, Connecticut. She was active in professional organizations, including the Decorators' Club and the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Decorators. As late as 1974, when she was in her eighties, Horst supervised the redesign of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Greenwich. Eleanor Horst died in 1995 at the age of 102.

Organization and Arrangement

Organized in 3 series: 1. Biographical materials, 1970-1979; 2. Photographs, 1967-1997; 3. Renderings, drawings, and sketches, between 1930s and 1995

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Nancey H. Trowbridge, Eleanor Horst's daughter, 1997.

Related Materials

The New School Archives holds the Lyman Martin interior decoration work and papers (KA.0031). The Fay S. Lincoln Photograph Collection (#HCLA MGN 182) at Pennsylvania State University includes photographs of dwellings designed by Eleanor Horst.

Title
Guide to the Eleanor Horst interior decoration photographs and renderings
Status
Completed
Author
New School Archives and Special Collections Staff
Date
September 15, 2010
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English