Elsie de Wolfe, later known as Lady Mendl, was a pioneering American interior decorator, actress, and author. Often credited as the inventor of the interior design profession, she rejected the dark, cluttered Victorian style in favor of light, airy spaces and fresh colors. Her influential 1913 book, "The House in Good Taste," helped popularize her new decorating philosophy across America. Throughout her long career, she transformed the homes of high-society clients and established a lasting legacy that continues to shape modern aesthetics.