Diana Vreeland (1906-1989) was a major visionary force in fashion and style during the twentieth century. She was fashion editor at Harper’s Bazaar for twenty-five years, as well as editor-in-chief at Vogue. Vreeland was known for her passion, charm, and wit. She was endlessly quotable with statements like, “The bikini is the most important invention since the atom bomb” and “Never fear being vulgar, just boring”.

Vreeland herself was certainly never boring. In 1955 her Park Avenue apartment needed a bold and original decor to match. Vreeland worked with close friend and famous New York decorator Billy Baldwin to design the apartment, famously informing him, “I want this place to look like a garden, but a garden in hell.”

The end result was completely bloodred. Scarlet chintz covered with brilliant Persian flowers draped the room. Piles of patterned red pillows, a thick scarlet carpet, and a mix of red accessories completed the monochromatic look. Vreeland explained, “Red is the great clarifier–bright and revealing. I can’t imagine becoming bored with red–it would be like becoming bored with the person you love.”