Rudy Saunders, Design Director of Dorothy Draper & Company, Inc., joined America’s oldest established and continually operating interior design firm in 2015. Based in New York City, Saunders is involved with all aspects of the firm including designing colorful, bright, and fun residential interiors for discerning private clients across the US and internationally.  Additionally, he oversees the design direction of hospitality projects, including The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia and Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. For each of these historic properties, the team constantly updates and creates distinctive environments, to continually offer world class interiors that inspire and delight generations of guests. Additionally, Saunders is involved with furniture, textile, lighting, product, and event design as well as buying and merchandising for Dorothy Draper Home retail at The Greenbrier, Grand Hotel, and online.

Originally from Cincinnati, he attended University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) where he received a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design in 2016. Rudy worked at Lilly Pulitzer focusing on retail design and visual merchandising and Bolce Interior Image concentrating on residential interiors prior to coming to Dorothy Draper & Company, Inc. as an intern in 2015.  

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A prolific needlepointer, Rudy launched an exclusive needlepoint collection, R! by Rudy, with Lycette Designs in 2020. This fun collection is available exclusively at Lycette Palm Beach, Lycette Newport, & online. He has taught needlepoint classes and is a co-founder of the Young Needlepointers of New York City. 

Saunders is involved with numerous charitable organizations including The White House Historical Association NextGen Leaders, The Fund For Park Avenue Young Friends Committee, Central Park Conservancy Greensward Circle, Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, Garden Club of America Young Associates Board, American Friends of the Georgian Group Young Georgians, Princess Grace Foundation Young Professionals Guild, Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, New York Botanical Gardens, and The New York Winter Antique Show.