Jamie Drake

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 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 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, and bath accessories for Labrazel . In addition to the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club Decorator Show House, he has created rooms for 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 Hampton Design Show House at Villa Maria, the French Design Show House, and the Southampton Rogers Memorial Library Show House. Widely published, Drake's projects have en- livened 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, Veranda and Interior Design. Known for his quick wit, Drake has appeared on Bloomberg TV, NBC, and HGTV Top Ten. Since 1998 he has served as a judge for the Sub-Zero National Kitchen Design Competition.

Drake's shelf full of industry honors now includes his 2011 induction into 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 Direc- tor's Council. An active member of the New York Chapter of ASID and recipient of its Presidential Citation and Platinum Award, he was its vice president from 1994 – 1996. Drake, who received a Partnership for the Homeless Director's Award in TK, has long been deeply involved in good causes. He currently serves as the Chair of The Alpha Workshops, where he has been a board member for more than a decade.