Unlocked: Maryline Damour

We recently chatted with Circaphiles ambassador & inspiring designer

MARYLINE DAMOUR

Damour Drake is a combination of Maryline Damour and Fred Drake, a duo that came together to offer their clients interior design and construction. Damour, after working for years in marketing, business development, and public relations, decided to return to school to study interior design at Parsons The New School for Design. Originally from Haiti, she has been actively involved in interior design projects held in Haiti since the earthquake in 2010. Lately, she has been working on developing a vocational school in Léogâne, Haiti focused on teaching safer building techniques and practices for the construction industry.

1. What did you wish you knew when you started your design firm?

You should be obsessed with design if you have your own company because it is like having a child (no real-time off). Luckily, I am!

Image: allie holloway

Image: damour drake

2. Was there something unexpected that you learned from your team along the
way?

Everyone can contribute. We make time for our junior designers to present their drawings. In this way, they get to share their thought process and we all learn from these various perspectives.

3. If there is one piece of advice you would give a design student, what would it
be?

Curiosity is key. It allows you to be more creative and, ultimately, more successful.

4. When a client asks for a resource, how do you answer them?

We are in the business of connecting clients to designers; designers to makers; etc… Our respective disciplines in concert (and in collaboration) enrich the language of design.

5. How have you directly reached out to a potential new client?

I developed the first design showhouse in the Hudson Valley to connect professionals in the design/build industry across region, but also to show potential clients the power of thoughtful design integrated into an environment.

photography: phil mansfield design: damour drake