Best Interior Designers | Jamie Drake | Best Interior Designers

Author of some of this country’s most glamorous spaces, New York-based designer Jamie Drake believes that the best décor expresses personality and place. Renowned for his exuberant color sense, his eye for the unique and telling detail, his practical approach to planning, and his equal facility in traditional and modern styles, Drake creates inviting, delightful, and resolutely livable environments.

Fascinated by color and design from an early age, as a high school student Drake worked for one of the New York metropolitan area’s leading contract design firms. While at Parson’s, he interned in Angelo Donghia’s office. He launched his namesake, multi-discipline firm, Drake Design Associates, immediately after graduation in 1978. In the thirty-plus years since, he has completed countless interiors for an impressive roster of clients. Notable residences include a Los Angeles showplace for Madonna, apartments in the Dakota and other historic New York landmark buildings, and multiple projects for his longtime client, former New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, including the renovation of Gracie Mansion, the Mayor’s ceremonial residence, and various rooms at City Hall. Recent commercial work includes a from-the-ground-up medical facility in Florida and a private foundation in New York City.

Nothing if not prolific, Drake has masterminded rug collections for Roubini and Safavieh, a furniture line for Lewis Mittman, bathroom fixtures for THG, fabrics for Schumacher, sinks for Elkay, bath accessories for Labrazel, light fixtures for Boyd Lighting, and has recently collaborated with Theodore Alexander for a furniture line that will debut at the 2014 April High Point Market. In addition to the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club Decorator Show House, he has created rooms for numerous Show Houses, including Metropolitan Home’s Showtime Showhouse, Hampton’s Cottage & Gardens Idea House, The Esquire Show House in Coldwater Canyon, Hollywood, House Beautiful’s Chicago Showhouse, the Southampton Rogers Memorial Library Show House, and the Hearst Designer Visions Show House. Widely published, Drake’s projects have enlivened the pages of Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, French Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, as well as The New York Times, British House & Garden, Hotel Design, HospitalityDesign.

Drake’s shelf full of industry honors now includes his 2013 Fashion Group International Night of Stars Award for Interior Design, his 2013 Decoration & Design Building’s Stars of Design Award, his 2011 induction to the ASID College of Fellows as well as his 2003 triple crown: the Interior Design Magazine’s Interior Design Hall of Fame, the IFDA New York Circle of Excellence for Interior Design, and the Andrew Martin International Interior Designer of the Year. A recipient of the 2000 D & D Designers of Distinction Award, he sits on several prestigious boards, among them the New York Community Trust and the Historic House Trust Directors’ Council.