Mary Douglas Drysdale— Interior Designer

“A goal of the interiors that I create for my clients, whether modern or traditional, is to find the right balance between art, architecture and decoration. This living room is long and narrow, so I suggested that we work with a monochromatic scheme, including the custom coffee table—so that the mass of the objects would seem less invasive—and the objects on the table would be the focus. The main art in the room is a photograph by Maxwell MacKenzie, an accomplished photographer in this area. The perspective of this oversized photograph is intended to “expand” the room.”

— Mary Douglas Drysdale, interior designer

Since the 1980s, Mary Douglas Drysdale has been a force on the interior design scene in Washington, D.C., and across the United States. Appearing in numerous publications and winning awards throughout her career has established her reputation, but it’s her signature style—including her use of color and her ability to find the intrinsic balance of traditional with modern—that many associate with her work.

In the years she has been touching lives through design, Mary has developed a style of design expression which embraces both the classicism of traditional American architecture, and has combined that with decorative schemes that reflect the aesthetic of a more uncluttered Modernist aesthetic.

As much as her aesthetic is admired and emulated, to Mary, it’s about the process and the clients. “I actually think that I have a strong process because it involves the clients in most every major detail—and I see my clients as part of the design team.”

Walking clients through the design process from start to finish— as well as every step along that journey—I do all in my power to explain in detail the plan, the lighting, the use of furniture and I try to provide excellence within their budget. As obvious as it seems: I complete my projects and deliver what we planned. When a project is full installed it is always a celebratory moment.

— Excerpt from modish: the book of great design

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