Episode 115 - Tania Norris – The Story of A Magnificent Lady and Purple Wallpaper
In this captivating episode of Sew & So, we meet Tania McKnight Norris—a designer, world traveler, and creative force whose life story is nothing short of extraordinary. From her childhood in Scotland to working alongside Walt Disney on the famed Club 33 and New Orleans Square, Tania shares unforgettable stories, including how her hands became part of Disney history and how she helped create the now-famous Haunted Mansion purple wallpaper. A lifelong sewist whose skills were shaped during World War II, she continues to find joy in creating with needle and thread. With over 130 countries visited, a passion for botanical art, and an insatiable curiosity, Tania inspires beyond beyond!
Episode notes: At times we have the opportunity to deviate a little from the tried-and-true conversations this podcast has become known for as opportunities occur for us to sit down with a very special person, perhaps not known as a sewist or quilter, but as someone who has made an indelible mark in the world of creativity. Our guest today is a woman whose life and work have helped shape some of the most iconic spaces and moments in American design history – and whose personal story is just as remarkable as her professional one.
Tania McKnight Norris was born in Scotland and lived in London and Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia) before relocating to Los Angeles in 1963. With a refined eye for detail, a love of elegance, and an independent spirit, she made her way to the United States and found herself working at the highest levels of interior design—at a time when few women were given a seat at the table.
She joined the design team at Walt Disney Productions in the 1960s, becoming the only woman on the original five-person team responsible for creating the interiors of Disneyland’s New Orleans Square and the elegant Club 33—an exclusive private club hidden behind an unmarked door that has since become the stuff of legend. Tania designed the club’s original logo, handpicked furnishings, and helped shape its iconic look and feel, combining European sophistication with imaginative flair.
Norris left Disney in the 70s, working as a project designer for the RMS Queen Mary before relocating to central California and opening an antique shop. She also anchored a weekly radio show about antiques and participated in antique shows throughout the United States while running her shop.
Her interests include gardening, photography travel, cooking, needlepoint and botanical art – she is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists.
Today, Tania joins us to reflect on a life lived with imagination, strength, and purpose. From her early days as a curious girl in Scotland to becoming a design icon in her own right, she has so much to share—and we are honored to have her here to share it with us.
(3:42) Tania shares stories of her youth…being born before WWII. She lived in a castle Culzean in Scotland which had a special floor that was given by the people of Scotland to President Eisenhower. Did you know that Scotland has palm trees along the coast. And that at the age of 8, Tania decided she wanted to decorate homes?! She even met Lady Churchill, Margo Fountain and the royal family. She arrived in America in November 1963, 2 weeks prior to the assassination of President Kennedy. She marveled at the resilience of this country. Then…there was THE call about the job at Disney. What follows is a rich recount of her early days at Disney.
(13:30)Tania talks about Walt Disney and the gracious way he treated her. He “never said no” to her about her ideas. Learn what Disney would do if he didn’t like someone’s work…or wanted something more. And…how the ladies room got to be bigger than originally planned.
(19:05) What’s Tania’s favorite attraction at Disney World! Find out here and why she chose this particular one. Learn about some of the behind-the-scenes things done at Disney World…things you probably never knew!
(21:50) And now…the purple wallpaper. Tania tells of its creation.
(24:46) Tania’s hands have been reproduced many times at Disney. Hear this story and how much she was paid. Any why Mitzie Chandler got paid more.
(26:22) What’s it like for Tania to walk into a haunted mansion and see her work? What happened when she saw it on a maiden voyage of a Disney cruise ship?
(27:33) Tania is a sewist. How did she learn to sew and what are her favorite things to make. How did WWII influence her sewing? And what’s she up to with Joe Vecchiarelli?
(33:10) Tania has visited +130 countries. Her some of her wonderful tales of adventures. Let’s start with Antarctica. Then there’s Mongolia where she saw the eclipse, Siberia for a wedding and Albania to interview students with whom she travelled to Macedonia. Oh, and what about 1000 miles down the Amazon.
(35:02) Where has she not traveled to…but wants to go to…? West Africa and several places in Europe. Have toothbrush will travel!
(35:37) She talks about her endowment for botanical art at the Huntington in San Marino. She explains why botanical art is so meaningful to her. She tells of the Virginia Robinson Gardens. She also explains botanical art.
(38:30) Who is someone she’s met in her life that really left an impression. Well…JoeVechiarelli…and Charles the King of England! Michael Jackson, Madonna.
(40:12) What inspires her? Inquisitiveness! She tells of a dinner one night at the Getty Museum and…!
(41:22) What’s next for her? Retirement…most likely not!
(41:53) What didn’t I ask? Well, hear about her radio show The World of Books
(43:14) How can you reach out to Tania? HMpurplewallpaper@gmail.com.
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