Helen Churchill Candee (at center) with 5 other women on horseback led the historic 1913 “Votes for Women” suffrage parade in Washington, D.C.
Titanic survivor, Helen Churchill Candee and her extraordinary life will be celebrated at the Titanic Centennial Commemoration at the Spring opening of the Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut, on the evening of April 21, 2012. In her life, she made important contributions to society and to our country. Please see the invitation to the commemoration below.
Much to my surprise, in addition to known first decorator Elsie de Wolf, Helen Churchill Candee fancied herself a decorator during the same era in the early 20thcentury.
Helen Churchill Candee 1905
The decorators of those years were self-taught and had important, influential connections. Helen had impressive clients that led to her being commissioned by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907 to advise on the purchase of a set of Louis XVI chairs for the First Lady’s dressing room.
She was admired and well-respected as a decorator and historian. Helen’s specialty was antiques and period decoration. She was critical of manufacturers and department stores that sold cheap imitation furniture. She did not approve of upscale decorators like de Wolfe endorsing good quality reproductions of period pieces for modern interiors. Looking back into history, de Wolf was very well connected and worked for the Vanderbilt’s and others of the same ilk. Society was moving away from the cluttered overstuffed rooms of the mid to late 19th century. De Wolf’s interiors were fresh and uncluttered. This room by Helen is cluttered with antiques in the Victoriana style.
Decorated interior by Helen with antiques
Despite her impressive clientele, Helen Candee’s work as a decorator was intermittent. It was through her writing in books and articles on the history of furniture, textiles and art, that she made an impact on early 20th century interiors.
Candee was a strong feminist, as evidenced by her best-selling first book, How Women May Earn a Living (1900). Candee’s first book on home decor was the profusely illustrated Decorative Styles and Periods , published by Frederick A. Stokes, Co. in November 1906. It was well received and quickly became a standard reference on period furnishings and their modern use.
Readers of Decorative Styles and Periods , a deep green cloth-bound volume with an inset portrait of an Empire room 
on the cover, were treated to the warmly delicate prose that already distinguished Helen Candee as a novelist and journalist. The book was long and thorough, addressing all major trends and designs, but was also full of human interest and historical sidelights that made it as entertaining as it was instructional.
More than any other book she wrote, Helen’s philosophy of design (and living) can be gleaned from Decorative Styles and Periods .
Authenticity was the prime principle of her credo. Candee was a purist in the extreme, insisting on genuine antiques and unswervingly faithful period atmosphere in the arrangement of rooms. The “perfection of the old,” she said, was all-important, adding that the “best is of the past.”
She along with Edith Wharton wrote books on decoration. Helen wrote about period furnishings and tapestries for various magazines.
Based on my recent research, Helen, in her time, was a strong image as a decorator, antiques consultant and writer. I am delighted to make her acquaintance, thanks to Wikipedia. In the twenty years and more that I taught interior design and architectural history and criticism, I had not heard about this woman, Helen Churchill Candee until now, while working on the Titanic’s epic journey.
Helen, who broke her ankle when jumping into the lifeboat, was together with the unsinkable Molly Brown. They rowed and rowed and rowed. Where were they going?
More to come…
Here’s the invitation for April 21, black tie. Buy a table, buy a ticket, bring guests.
I truly appreciate your well thought out and researched content. You’ve really hit a home run on this topic. I agree with you. I hope you plan on writing more articles. I will read them.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Exceptional work!
Your article is intelligent, well-written and compelling as far as I’m concerned. I’ve enjoyed reading and reviewing your viewpoints. Thank you for representing your informational content in an interesting way.
Thanks, Helen Candee Churchill was a Renaissance woman. Worked in community, worked in Women’s suffrage, published several books. She was a dynamo.
I loved learning about this woman! And I would have bought her book about how women can earn an income, too. I can see why it was a bestseller. I wish I could attend the dinner. It looks like it will be a fascinating evening.
hi Katy, she is an inspiration, such an early fighting woman in our 20th century beginnings. Can you imagine what the men said about her? Goodness, I can’t stand the thoughts. She bounced around doing so many different things and sounds like she was successful. Thanks.
Nice post Gail! I never new Helen Churchill Candee was a designer! I’m a huge Titantic fan. I spent years reading and learning about the ship, its passengers and the tragic disaster. Have you ever been to the Titanic Museum in Indian Orchard, MA? It was in the back of a watch shop (they may have since moved it). The owner Ed Kamuda and his wife even had a walk on part in the movie Titanic. Hard to believe it’s been a 100 years.
Casey, thanks. This is the first time I am exploring the Titanic. I am running a juried show for Lockwood as an event for the dinner. So when the show has its reception on April 26, I’ll let everyone know. It should be a smashing show. The theme is The Titanic. All the artist I know are working to submit one or two paintings. I am having a great time with all the research.
So, you have heard of Helen? I was so surprised getting to know her.
Very nice article , Gail. I am looking forward to the exhibit & the exciting happenings at the mansion this season.
David, thanks, good to see you here. How is it going? Are you entering the Titanic juried show with your folk art? You could think of something to paint, couldn’t you? The exhibition will be amazing. This Helen, she was amazing, don’t you think?
Gerri, thank you and hats off to you, another woman in Helen’s stead. I only touched the tip of the iceberg (pardon the cliche, but isn’t it perfect here?) Doing this blog, I got acquainted with an amazing person, there is so much more i.e. she was a writer, big time. Articles for all the biggie publications, and books.
Awww … thanks. PS .. I love the hat!
Yeah, would you wear it? I would. I love hats, all kinds.
What an interesting article, Gail. I love that this woman was such a survivor. Not only of the Titanic, but she made a place for herself and created income. Tenacious and innovative. Quite a woman. Thanks for sharing and I hope the gala event is a smashing success.