Legendary Designer Dorothy Draper’s Childhood Home in New York Just Listed for $4 Million
Fans of the late design legend Dorothy Draper now have the chance to buy the elegant home where she grew up. The interior decorator’s parents, Paul and Susan Tuckerman, built the property in Tuxedo Park, New York, back in 1883. At the time, the couple were among the just two dozen patrician families that Pierre Lorillard IV, the founder of Tuxedo Park, invited to join the exclusive gated community. The Tuckermans erected five residences here throughout the years, including a red brick mansion where they lived with their two children—Draper and her brother, Roger. Now, for the first time in nearly 30 years, 82 Lookout Road is up for grabs, asking a speck under $4 million.
Dubbed Ogden Lodge, the stately spread was originally built by Gilded Age architect James Brown Lord and was home to Draper from when she was three years old until she was 10. Not only did the digs influence her signature style, but they led to the founding of her eponymous firm in 1925. Draper was renowned for her maximalist aesthetic and use of unconventional color combinations, as well as high-profile projects, like the Palácio Quitandinha in Rio de Janeiro and West Virginia’s Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs.
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Public records show that the dwelling was snapped up in 1996 for a cool $1.5 million. According to the listing, the current owner, also an interior designer, restored the place in 2021. Altogether, the palatial pad sits on just shy of 1.5 acres and holds nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms across its 8,195 square feet. “This extraordinary estate offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern luxury,” notes the listing, which is being represented by Laura Denberg of Tuxedo Hudson Realty.
During the renovation, the sellers collaborated with preservation experts to restore and recreate the home’s original architectural details, including the plaster walls and wood floors. For example, the new Welsh black slate roof is meant to resemble the original. Plus, decorative pieces of terracotta and any brickwork were reproduced to match the existing exterior. There were also repairs made to the glass awning and steel casement windows. While not necessarily authentic, new plumbing, electricity, insulation, and appliances bring the structure into the 21st century.
Additional highlights include a chef’s kitchen with a walk-in pantry, a library with a carved soapstone fireplace and bar, a formal dining room, and a sunroom. Admittedly, the current vibes of Ogden House might be a bit pared back for Draper’s signature Modern Baroque style, but it’s where her enduring legacy began.
Click here to see more photos of the Tuxedo Park home.
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