A Brief History of Jamie Drake's Brilliant Career
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1/13Photograph courtesy of Jamie DrakeJamie Drake is born in Woodbridge, Connecticut, to parents who love interior design and encourage him to pursue the arts. “I wanted black patent-leather walls in my bedroom,” he recalls. “My mother begged me to choose a different color, and when it finally went up, I said, ‘Yes, that’s exactly how I envisioned it!’”Photograph courtesy of Jamie DrakeJamie Drake is born in Woodbridge, Connecticut, to parents who love interior design and encourage him to pursue the arts. “I wanted black patent-leather walls in my bedroom,” he recalls. “My mother begged me to choose a different color, and when it finally went up, I said, ‘Yes, that’s exactly how I envisioned it!’”
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2/13Photograph courtesy of Jamie DrakeDrake’s affinity for color is evident in these vibrant sketches of his from childhood.Photograph courtesy of Jamie DrakeDrake’s affinity for color is evident in these vibrant sketches of his from childhood.
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3/13Photograph courtesy of Jamie DrakeDrake’s affinity for color is evident in these vibrant sketches of his from childhood.Photograph courtesy of Jamie DrakeDrake’s affinity for color is evident in these vibrant sketches of his from childhood.
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4/13Photograph courtesy of Jamie DrakeWhile still in high school, he begins working as an assistant at a commercial design firm in New Haven. “I already knew that I wanted to be a decorator, but I felt like I was getting a jump-start just by being there.”Photograph courtesy of Jamie DrakeWhile still in high school, he begins working as an assistant at a commercial design firm in New Haven. “I already knew that I wanted to be a decorator, but I felt like I was getting a jump-start just by being there.”
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5/13Moves to New York, where he attends Parsons School of Design and lands a summer internship with renowned decorator Angelo Donghia. “It was a wonderful, valuable experience. I remember the luxurious quality of his work and how well he carried out his vision.”Moves to New York, where he attends Parsons School of Design and lands a summer internship with renowned decorator Angelo Donghia. “It was a wonderful, valuable experience. I remember the luxurious quality of his work and how well he carried out his vision.”
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6/13Photograph by Michael ByronOnly three days after graduating from Parsons, he launches Drake Design Associates, with two residential commissions on Fifth Avenue as his first projects. “I didn’t feel nervous, but I should have been bolder and more adamant about my design choices early on. You have to speak up and insist on expressing yourself.”Photograph by Michael ByronOnly three days after graduating from Parsons, he launches Drake Design Associates, with two residential commissions on Fifth Avenue as his first projects. “I didn’t feel nervous, but I should have been bolder and more adamant about my design choices early on. You have to speak up and insist on expressing yourself.”
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7/13Secures his largest project to date, the renovation of an Upper East Side townhouse, which is featured on a popular house tour three years later.
Participates in his first two showhouses, which open a week apart. “It was wildly ambitious, but it came off well.”
Madonna hires him to design her Los Angeles home, and he receives his first overseas job, a flat in London.Secures his largest project to date, the renovation of an Upper East Side townhouse, which is featured on a popular house tour three years later.
Participates in his first two showhouses, which open a week apart. “It was wildly ambitious, but it came off well.”
Madonna hires him to design her Los Angeles home, and he receives his first overseas job, a flat in London. -
8/13Photograph courtesy of William Waldron/bulfinch pressBecomes a board member of Alpha Workshops. He has been a board chair since 2008.
Makes his debut at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, where he designs a bold sitting area with tangerine tufted-silk walls.Photograph courtesy of William Waldron/bulfinch pressBecomes a board member of Alpha Workshops. He has been a board chair since 2008.
Makes his debut at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, where he designs a bold sitting area with tangerine tufted-silk walls. -
9/13Photograph courtesy of William Waldron/bulfinch pressBegins refurbishing Gracie Mansion at the request of longtime client and newly elected New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. “On the first anniversary of September 11, everyone who worked on the residence stood on the front porch and held hands in a moment of silence. It was such an honor to work on that project during a time when New York’s resilience was being tested.”Photograph courtesy of William Waldron/bulfinch pressBegins refurbishing Gracie Mansion at the request of longtime client and newly elected New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. “On the first anniversary of September 11, everyone who worked on the residence stood on the front porch and held hands in a moment of silence. It was such an honor to work on that project during a time when New York’s resilience was being tested.”
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10/13Photograph Courtesy of THGUnveils his first product collection, a line of rugs for Roubini. He goes on to enjoy collaborations with such companies as THG, Schumacher, Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman, and Stark.Photograph Courtesy of THGUnveils his first product collection, a line of rugs for Roubini. He goes on to enjoy collaborations with such companies as THG, Schumacher, Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman, and Stark.
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11/13Photograph courtesy of William Waldron/bulfinch pressPublishes Jamie Drake’s New American Glamour (Bulfinch Press).Photograph courtesy of William Waldron/bulfinch pressPublishes Jamie Drake’s New American Glamour (Bulfinch Press).
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12/13Photograph by Marco RiccaReceives the Innovator award at the CTC&G IDAs.
Moves into a light-filled apartment in the much-ballyhooed 200 11th Avenue, designed by architect Annabelle Selldorf and featuring 16-foot ceilings and private garages for every unit. “I love the volume of the space and the treetop views across the Hudson River.”Photograph by Marco RiccaReceives the Innovator award at the CTC&G IDAs.
Moves into a light-filled apartment in the much-ballyhooed 200 11th Avenue, designed by architect Annabelle Selldorf and featuring 16-foot ceilings and private garages for every unit. “I love the volume of the space and the treetop views across the Hudson River.” -
13/13Photograph by Brittany AmbridgeReceives an honorary doctorate from the New York School of Interior Design.
Joins forces with Caleb Anderson, a former intern, to create Drake/Anderson. “After 38 years in business, I began wanting a partner. I came up with a list of people, and Caleb was at the top. I’m very proud and excited about what’s to come.”Photograph by Brittany AmbridgeReceives an honorary doctorate from the New York School of Interior Design.
Joins forces with Caleb Anderson, a former intern, to create Drake/Anderson. “After 38 years in business, I began wanting a partner. I came up with a list of people, and Caleb was at the top. I’m very proud and excited about what’s to come.”
This article appears in the May 2016 issue of NYC&G (New York Cottages & Gardens).
