The Legacy of Dorothy Draper at Grand Hotel
The Parlor of Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island MI
Bringing the Outdoors In
Walking into the parlor of Grand Hotel, you immediately experience a vibrant concentration of all you have seen on your way up the hill to this iconic and historic structure on Mackinac Island—from the red geraniums that line the 660 foot front porch to the lush greens of the manicured lawns stretching down to the water.
The design of the interiors of the hotel are the creation of Carleton Varney for Dorothy Draper and Company design firm. Varney was brought on as the lead designer of Grand Hotel in 1977. Known for his bold use of color, he masterfully brought the beauty of the outdoors into the design of the interiors in an almost fanciful way transforming the guests’ experience and creating the opportunity for lasting memories. Varney designed the main public spaces of the hotel as well as over 396 guest rooms—each with its own unique design.
Carleton Varney on the porch of Grand Hotel
Dorothy Draper Style
Carleton Varney Suite
In her day, Dorothy Draper was “known for her maximalist use of vivid color, stripes and bold patterns as well as her signature use of black and white checkerboard floors, cabbage rose chintz, and plasterwork indicative of Hollywood Regency style as we know it today.” (taken from her bio on DorothyDraper.com.) Upon her retirement, Carleton Varney took over as president of the design firm and brought his extensive knowledge and experience to many high profile projects with clients including royalty, dignitaries, celebrities, athletes, and more. His classic and colorful designs can be seen throughout Grand Hotel, most notably in the Signature Suites.
Elements of Design
The designs of Dorothy Draper and Company often incorporate a playful mix of antiques and art from various styles and time periods mixed in with more contemporary elements of design—and always a splash of color. The most dramatic of these at Grand Hotel may just be the fabulous Murano glass chandelier hanging between the two floors of the Cupola Bar.
Murano chandelier in the Cupola Bar
Another signature design element in many of the areas is the playful use of bold stripes—on walls, upholstery and even as a backdrop in the elevator.
Custom carpets can be seen throughout the hotel as well transforming the spaces and making them truly unforgettable.
With Dorothy Draper becoming somewhat synonymous with the design of the hotel, it is no surprise that there is now a Dorothy Draper Home storefront where you can find signature Dorothy Draper pieces alongside a mix of vintage and new items.
Dorothy Draper Home at Grand Hotel
Dorothy Draper & Co. Celebrates 100 Years
While the Dorothy Draper design firm has been involved with Grand Hotel since 1977, they continually update the spaces changing out upholstery and accent pieces from year to year. With the passing of Carleton Varney in 2022, two of his sons, Sebastian and Nicholas, have taken over the helm of Dorothy Draper & Company and continue his love of elegant, timeless and colorful interiors. As the company celebrates 100 years in business, they have chosen to commemorate the anniversary with a refresh of the Grand Hotel parlor and surrounding areas. Along with Rudy Saunders, design director for Dorothy Draper, the team will oversee the project bringing a fresh set of eyes to this treasured space. The Varneys and Rudy both grew up coming to the Grand Hotel so the project is in good hands as they see themselves as stewards and preservationists of this famed piece of Americana.
Dorothy Draper Design Space at Grand Hotel
Dorothy Draper Inspired
While we await the transformation at Grand Hotel, perhaps we will see you at one of our upcoming sales where you can find an item to transform your space in a bold new way. Meanwhile, you can always find an offering of such items at our online store. We hope to see you soon!
