Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Douglas Drysdale.
mary douglas, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and was a child in Charlottesville, Virginia. There was an enormous forest on our property and while my mother gardened, I began my life in design by building tree houses and forts. I spent time on the grounds of the University of Virginia, and visited often Thomas Jefferson’s home Monticello. I think that I was influenced by the beauty of the classical planning and architecture that surrounded my Charlottesville life.
Years later at the age of 19 I traveled to Paris for what was going to be a summer abroad, and which turned into an expanded “Grand Tour” of Europe over a three year period. I polished my high school French at the Sorbonne and then attended classes at the Ecole des Beaux Arts and the Ecloe des Politiques. Certainly three years of traveling through Europe and living in Paris changed my view of design, fashion, food, city living and the good life.
When I returned to the US I attended classes at the Parson’s School of Design and graduated from George Washington University. And since I have lived in Washington, DC.
I started my work experience in Paris working for a group of young French architects and decided to open my own small business while still living under my parents roof.
I experienced some level of success rather quickly and I would attribute that to my understanding of architecture, mixing traditional and modern, which the French do so well, and recognizing the importance of art in architecture.
It wasn’t long before my projects were published and soon I was getting covers, and from there competition wins. To date I have earned approximately 80 covers of books and magazines and have been named repeatedly one of the top 100 to 200 American interior designers. I have been honored with being named 4 times by the Andrew Martin Corporation as one of the top 100 interior designers internationally. And in 2025 I was named by the ASID as their annual winner of their Monuments of Design Award.
I work on commercial and residential projects and hope to author a monograph of my work in the next year or so. I am a lover of Great Danes and an avid walker.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Far from smooth. I used to ride dressage and in in 1999 had a serious accident which resulted in a bleed in my brain and a loss of normal speech for over a year, as well as problems with motor skills. I had what is considered a remarkable recovery and am certainly grateful. Other serious medical issues have been overcome.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an architectural interior designer, I am known for my skill in space planning and architectural detailing, as well as mixing traditional architecture with a more contemporary vison of furniture and art. I am proud to be one of the most published designers in the US over a multi-decade period.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
books on historic architecture. I love Federal style.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marydouglasdrysdaleinteriordesign.com
- Instagram: marydouglasdrysdale
- Facebook: Mary Douglas Drysdale
- LinkedIn: Mary Douglas Drysdale
- Twitter: Maryddrysdale
