Baldwin, Billy

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Baldwin (1903-1983) was an internationally known American interior decorator. Born in Baltimore, he attended Princeton University for two years, but left for a series of temporary jobs. His first job in interior design was as a stockroom assistant with C.J. Benson & Co. in Baltimore. From 1935 to 1950, Baldwin was a design assistant with Ruby Ross Wood, Inc. Upon Miss Wood's death in 1950, he opened his own firm, Baldwin, Inc. which later became Baldwin, Martin & Smith. In 1973, Baldwin retired and the firm was dissolved. Baldwin's clients included Greta Garbo, Jacqueline Onassis, Cole Porter, Diana Vreeland, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. An interior decorator with a firm belief in the importance of American style, Baldwin's philosophy of interior decoration advocated a mix of time periods, styles, and nationalities. He served as a consultant to the Cooper-Hewitt Museum and on the faculty of Parsons School of Design. Baldwin authored autobiographical works and a book highlighting his designs.

From the description of Billy Baldwin scrapbooks, 1976. (Fashion Institute of Tech Library). WorldCat record id: 773496588

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Parish-Hadley Associates. Parish-Hadley Associates, Inc. collection, [196-]-1994. Smithsonian Institution. Libraries
creatorOf Wood, Ruby Ross. Letter, 1978. Atlanta History Center, Kenan Research Center / Cherokee Garden Library
creatorOf Hadley, Albert. Albert Hadley papers, 1947-1999. New School for Social Research
creatorOf Baldwin, Billy. Billy Baldwin scrapbooks, 1976. Fashion Institute of Technology Library, Gladys Marcus Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Hadley, Albert. person
associatedWith Parish-Hadley Associates. corporateBody
associatedWith Tomchin, Julian. person
associatedWith Wamsutta Mills. corporateBody
associatedWith Wood, Ruby Ross. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
Subject
Interior decoration
Interior decorators
Sheets
Occupation
Activity

Person

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