Design in Depth: Lessons in Glamour

By Stacy Kunstel

Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending a breakfast benefiting Near and Far Aid, a volunteer organization that funds projects battling problems such as homelessness and hunger in Fairfield Country. Besides supporting a great cause, I also got to hear famed interior designer Jamie Drake talk about his work. Here are some highlights from “Lessons in Glamour.â€

Stacy Kunstel, Jamie Drake and interior designer Nancé Vigneau

Jamie Drake

LUSTER
Some of the creative ways Jamie has added shine, sheen and light to his work includes stretching silver linen on the ceiling of a Southampton home. Other ways he’s worked luster into his spaces are by hanging an amazing painting on a large mirror or choosing furniture with mirrored legs. This designer is definitely not afraid of placing shine-on-shine.

Photo by William Waldron, courtesy of drakedesignassociates.com

TEXTURE
Whether it’s a grasscloth hung over silver paper for a dining room or using his favorite–Madagascar cloth in a chunky weave on walls–Jamie says texture is the way he keeps rooms animated.

Photo by Lucas Allen, courtesy of drakedesignassociates.com

COLOR
If you know Jamie’s work you know he loves color and lots of it. It’s not uncommon for him to use color everywhere–walls, floors, ceiling, furnishings. They might even be the same color, but in a variety of textures. In his own bedroom he painted walls and ceiling yellow and mixed in lacquered yellow nightstands, draperies and bed linens to achieve color perfection.

Photo by William Waldron, courtesy of drakedesignassociates.com

CURVES
Repetition of forms (like color) are a constant in the designer’s work. Round poufs are a Jamie Drake signature and he says they are a staple in any room where there’s entertaining going on. Artwork, accessories and fabrics can further reinforce the theme.

Photo by Lucas Allen, courtesy of drakedesignassociates.com

MIXING IT UP
A Warhol mixed with classic English furniture and French sconces? Why not? Eclecticism is practiced by many, mastered by few, but Jamie has shown us time and again that he can effortlessly combine styles and eras.

Photo by Fritz von der Schulenberg, courtesy of drakedesignassociates.com