This lavishly illustrated volume is a tribute to the designers who have made a lasting contribution to the history of interior design around the world, elevating the interior to an art form.   John Saladino and Jacques Garcia are renowned contemporary designers; the clean lines and light-filled interiors of the former contrast with the luxurious, richly colored spaces created by the latter. But who were the leading designers in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and which elements of their legacy remain relevant in interior design today? Respected interiors specialists Barbara and René Stoeltie chart the evolution of interior design from the seventeenth century to the present day and share their selection of significant designers from the last four hundred years. Arranged chronologically, the text places the designers in their historical context and details the primary elements that characterized their style or revolutionized taste in their day. The photographs provide a visually evocative overview of the designers’ key works, illustrating the overall impact of the room and the details that make each space memorable. These portraits of the designers and their chefs d’oeuvres demonstrate the aesthetic principles and creativity that shaped the history of interior design.