Press & Awards

AD PRO Directory Founding member

2023

Named Judge for Home & Design Magazine 2023 architecture and design awards

Named a top Modern Designer in DC by Modern Luxury Interiors

Build Magazine awarded Build Excellence Award in Outdoor Living Designs and Build Best for Classic Residential Interior Designs

2022

Interior Design Magazine named Drysdale project as a top 100 Best in Design

Named as a top American designer by Benton Buckley Books

Home and Design Magazine selected Drysdale as a top 100 interior designer

2021

Interior Design Magazine Drysdale project was included in ID selections of projects which represent the Best In Design. There are 100 or less projects selected for this category

Andrew Martin Interior Design Review International Top 100

British Homes and Gardens Top 21 Interior Designers at work today

SKS DesignHounds Kitchen and Bath Influencer

Podcast for Architessa on How to Build a Design Practice

ReduxExtra Interview on Drysdale's career and success entitled Timeless Designs

CODA Awards Named as Judge evaluating collaboration of Design + Art

Kitchen and Bath News names Drysdale as an Innovator in Kitchen and Bath Design

Judge for the Best of KBIS / Kitchen and Bath Industry Show

2020

Interior Design Magazine names Drysdale among the top women architects and designers in America

2019

Business of Design selects and features 25 top designers in a feature "There is no Stopping Them"

2018

Andrew Martin Interior Design Review International Top 100

Named a High Point Market Style Spotter for the year

Named as one of the Top 200 Influencers in Home named by Fixr.com/blog

Speaker at the Atlanta Design Center for Traditional Home Magazine

Designed a room for Southern Style Now in Charleston, SC

2017

Designer's Choice Award Interior Design Hall of Fame

Recipient of the Elevate award from High Point Market Authority in the category of Interior Designer Working Within the Traditional Style.

NKBA First Place Large Bathroom

2016

Keynote speaker for the Smithsonian Craft Show

2015

NKBA First Place Large Kitchen

2014

NKBA First Place Large Bathroom

Named to the Gold List by Luxe Magazine

Andrew Martin Interior Design Review International Top 100

Keynote speaker for the Bienstock Library in High Point, NC to speak on Collaboration in Design

Selected by DXV to design a luxury bathroom to introduce this new luxury brand

2013

NKBA First Place Medium Kitchen

Best of Houzz

2011

Drysdale named to House Beautiful "Tree of Design". 100 designers in 100 years who have influenced design.

2010

First Place Large Kitchen Spaces Magazine

selected to design a room at Rothesway Mansion Show House, by Traditional Home Magazine

2009

Nominated for the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum Award of Excellence

2007

Washingtonian Magazine named as one of Washington's Top Designers

Selected as one of their "Top 20 projects in 20 Years" byVeranda Magazine

2005

Fine Interiors Magazine Advisory Board for Selection of Top 10 Designers

This Old House Nation's Top 10 Designers and Architects

2002

Robert Allen Corporation Nation's Top 15 Designers. Chosen for Advisory Board

House Beautiful "Best of the Best" Top American Designers

Associated Builders and Contractors Excellence in Construction Awards

2001

House Beautiful "Best of the Best" Top American Designers

Named by House Beautiful Magazine as one of two young designers to watch

Named by Southern Accents Magazine as a leading designer of the South

Selected by Maytag Corporation to design a luxury kitchen for KBIS

2000

Architecture Magazine and Interiors Magazine named Drysdale as one of America's Top 200 Practicing Architects and Designers

House Beautiful "Best of the Best" Top American Designers

Selected by Architecture Magazine and Interiors Magazine to attend the Applied Brilliance Conference

1999

House Beautiful "Best of the Best" Top American Designers

Kohler Corporation selected Drysdale to design a kitchen for the Kohler Design Museum

1998

House Beautiful named one of the top 200 "Best of the Best" American Designers

Dossier Magazine First place House and Garden award

1997

House Beautiful "Best of the Best" Top American Designers

House Beautiful "America's Top 101 Style Makers"

Washington Building Congress Craftsmanship Award in metal work and millwork, also in second category of Painting and Small Projects Category Featuring "The Tiny Jewel Box"

1996

Traditional Home and J. Lambeth & Company Distinguished Design Award

House Beautiful Magazine Top 101 Designers, Today's Style Makers

1994

Traditional Home Magazine awarded and recognized Drysdale for achievement and excellence in design. This is the only award of this nature ever given by this magazine.

1993

Art Directors Club of Washington DC Design Excellence Awards for Stationary Package

1992

Architectural Woodwork Institute Award for Excellence

1991

National Symphony Orchestra Show House Professional Advisor

National Travel Association Industry Best Inn of the Year, Morrison Hotel 

Printers Association of Virginia Graphic Design Award for Drysdale Christmas Card 

1989

Emerson Fan Competition One of Five National Finalists

Dossier Magazine First Place House & Garden Award

Bob Massie, American author and politician

"When we invited Mary into our 111-year-old home, we had only modest ideas about what to do and how to do it. We faced a particular challenge since I have serious mobility challenges that required a rethinking of the whole structure. She walked around with an inquisitive smile, asked us probing questions, and created a floor plan which she drew and redrew as her imagination took flight. Eventually she proposed that we move past our original thoughts and embrace a more comprehensive strategy that would simultaneously restore some of the elegant original plan while bringing us more flow, more beauty, and more light. During our collaboration, we learned the same lesson as her many admirers: Mary makes magic. She built her career on her creativity, courage, and startling yet classic sense of beauty. She has the ability to see what is not yet there, and then to bring it into being, inspiring her friends and clients every step of the way."

Bruce Barone, Art Historian

“Perhaps there is no interior designer who uses art to inspire and enlighten more than Mary Douglas Drysdale. Mary exemplifies the ideal of interior designer as curator.

Like a great artist, Mary transforms interior design, transforms homes with a keen appreciation of art, building upon a foundation of intelligence and curiosity, a love of architecture and the decorative arts, composition and storytelling. This “American Design Icon” infuses all she creates with a vision that is poetic and confident; bringing the interiors she designs to life with color, texture, humor---with art that helps to make a house a home.”

David Benson, President, Architessa

“The projects we have worked on together have gone tremendously well. Whether it be Thassos stone or the perfect accent wall Mary picks out gorgeous materials that are timeless!”

Ron Blunt, Architectural Photographer

“Mary Douglas Drysdale is a rare gem, an iconic neo-traditional designer with a genuine love of design and passionate pursuit for perfection. But, hers is more than your usual "detail-oriented" perfectionism. Her pursuit of beauty in all its glorious forms extends to her work. Mary's meticulous attention to detail, keen eye for finishes and fine craftsmanship, and her own strong sense of personal style translate into magnificent projects that clients love.

As an architectural photographer, I have worked closely with Mary for many years. We share the same vision: for the highest, best, most magical result possible. I highly recommend Mary Drysdale for the client seeking absolute perfection.”

Paul Fogg, Residential Specialist, Janus et Cie

“Mary’s ability to capture a dream and bring it into realization for her clients is a treat to see. Like a skilled surgeon Mary cuts to the heart of what makes a space work for her client's lives and with their home. Mary reworks the classics in a fresh manner, which brings life to an older home and grounds new construction with personality that is often left behind by others.”

Collette Goodman, Attorney

“I have worked with Mary for over 10 years and cannot find words to praise her and her work enough. I first worked with her when we downsized into a small house in Georgetown. In making such a change, it was important that the house be very perfect, and Mary made it so. I called it my "tiny jewel box." Ten years later, with the children getting married and having our grandchildren, we upsized again. The house we bought had been built in the 1980s and had not been redone since then. On Mary’s advice, we completely renovated it. It was a daunting experience - we had never undertaken a renovation of that size and scope before. She assisted us every step of the way, and the project came out beautifully. As usual, she provided a plan that enhanced greatly the design and flow of the interior space. As she has always said, it is the plan that makes the most difference, and should give you a "wow" feeling whenever you walk into your home. and it does. Most importantly, Mary cares greatly about her work and ensuring that she meets the needs and wants of her client. She does not approach her work with a one-size fits all, or you "must" do it her way or no way. She listens carefully to her clients’ ideas and design preferences, she ensures that you understand the reasons why she recommends one way or approach over another, and she makes everything come together in a way that enhances both the beauty and the value of one’s home. I think it safe to say that I would never make a decision without consulting her, as I have come to value her advice so much. She also is very sensitive and mindful to one’s budget, and always finds a way to come within those limits without sacrificing the ultimate design. And she is always kind and generous with her time and advice.”

Tom Hickey, Decorative Painter

“I have worked with Mary as a subcontractor for many years and find her to be a brilliant and creative designer with very refined architectural taste. Her ability to direct a project towards balance and harmony in form, texture and color is unmatched. We have worked together on projects large and small, and regardless of scale, Mary makes client satisfaction her one and only priority.”

Maxwell MacKenzie, Architectural Photographer

“I was extremely fortunate in my impressionable youth to work frequently with the immensely talented Mary Douglas Drysdale. No one has taught me more about design than Mary. She is brilliant, demanding, and always passionately driving toward perfection. A shoot with her is a unique learning experience equal to a semester in graduate school.“

Chris and Nalini Rogers, Founders of Nextel

“Five projects together confirm an endless supply of enthusiasm, hard work, integrity, innovative problem solving, broad ranging expertise and artistic sensibilities which result in exactly the homes we want to live in.“

Laine Shakeridge, Artist and Entrepreneur

“My two residences  are totally different styles, one tribal/bohemian, the other sleek and modern, and Mary enhanced both with equally extraordinary taste. She’s got huge range, and she’s talented at practical solutions that saved me money, and guided me on where it was wise to splurge, for impact. A total joy to work with and worth her fee, saving me from expensive mistakes I might have made on my own.”

Matthew Sgarlata, Vice President Spider Industries “Mary not only transformed our living space but also guided us through the entire process. Mary's keen eye for detail and extensive knowledge of design allowed us to curate a selection of items that not only resonated with our personal tastes but also complemented the overall aesthetic of our space. Mary encouraged our input and ideas, ensuring that we were thrilled and excited with each choice. At the same time, she seamlessly took the reins in areas where we preferred to rely on her expertise, striking the perfect balance between collaboration and guidance.”

Southern Accents Magazine

"There is a word for style this confidant. It comes to mind when viewing the work of the best designers, and pops up over and over again with their new endeavors. The word is presence. It connotes originality, authority, and drama and always trumpets reveille to the senses.”

Barbara Sullivan, Founder Sullivan & Co.

“Mary is a genius designer. She has worked on three large projects for me, one better than the next. Her work is aesthetically beautiful and very functional. She adds great value.”

Anne Tate, Professor of Architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design

“From Mary we expected some solid advice about how to give our home an update, and some delightful time spent laughing with Mary - who does have a giggle like champagne. We got all that and so much more, as Mary drew us into her sleuthing investigation, puzzling over the plan and deciphering clues to find the original bones of our house. "You have to get the structure right" and Mary never stops until she has got it right! She gave us the courage to tear down the walls and to restructure the plan to restore its gracious hospitable character. We love it! (And her!)“