In Profile:
Meyer Davis

Name: Gray Davis
Company Name: Meyer Davis
Position Within Company: Co Founder
Website: https://www.meyerdavis.com/

Tell us a little about your background in the sector:
I’m originally from Tennessee and studied at the Auburn University College of Architecture, Design and Construction. I’ve lived and worked in New York City for over three decades, with formative years spent apprenticing under design legends like John Saladino, Thomas O’Brien, and Bill Sofield. In 1999, I co-founded Meyer Davis with Will Meyer, and we’ve since built a studio that designs both private and public spaces for global clients, ranging from luxury hotels, to fashion brands, and to residential properties.

How would you describe your design ethos?
I strive to push beyond the familiar in every project, creating interiors that are imaginative, distinctive, and rooted in a deep sense of place. Our studio’s work is about striking a balance between old and new, tailored and relaxed, refined and raw. We aim to design spaces that make an immediate and lasting impression.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
Inspiration comes from many places, but I’m consistently energized by working with Will Meyer and the brilliant minds in our studio. Collaborating with such creative people daily is a constant source of new ideas and fresh perspectives.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
Design is moving toward a more human-centered, emotionally driven approach. Whether it’s residential, hospitality, or even yachting, clients are craving spaces that feel like retreats that are thoughtful, restorative, and deeply personal. There’s a clear shift toward hospitality-driven design across all sectors, where comfort, flow, and experience take priority. We’re also seeing a rise in quiet luxury where materials, craftsmanship, and intentionality speak louder than trends.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in the future:
Sustainability, Local Influence, Hospitality-Driven Residential Design, Narratives, and Retreat-Like Environments.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to designing, what would it be?
Design with permanence in mind. Don’t chase trends, instead focus on what brings lasting value. And always work with collaborators you respect and admire.

How important are The International Yacht & Aviation Awards?
These awards drive the industry forward, honoring projects that go beyond aesthetics to spark meaningful conversations –whether about sustainability, craftsmanship, or redefining how we experience luxury. Celebrating designs that challenge conventions is essential, and this recognition encourages all of us to keep innovating.

What projects are you currently working on?
A few things we’re currently working on are the redesign of the Four Seasons Resort Maui, Hotel Arts Barcelona, a private residence in Boston, and a couple of exciting product collaborations as well.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
Rather than viewing it as a challenge, designing our first yacht project was an opportunity to rethink how our hospitality and residential design sensibilities could translate to the open sea. Yachts present a unique set of considerations such as limited space, movement, and the demand for both performance and luxury. Collaborating with Rossinavi and the naval architects allowed us to explore new materials, rethink scale and flow, and find inventive ways to enhance functionality without sacrificing beauty. We were able to push creative boundaries while remaining true to our ethos of sustainable luxury. It was an exciting exercise in merging our experience across disciplines into a highly tailored, high-performance environment.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing? E.g. Lighting companies, furniture companies :
Great lighting is non-negotiable as it defines the atmosphere. We also lean on trusted fabricators, furniture makers, and artisan collaborators who help us bring our custom visions to life. Our William Gray collection was born out of this desire to refine and control our material vocabulary.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
We really look forward to our upcoming product collaborations, as well as celebrating our 25 year anniversary. In lieu of exciting and monumental moments, we’re also excited to publish our second monograph as a firm, highlighting our work over the last two decades and the journey that’s brought us to where we are today.

Your most treasured possession?
I have a classic Aston Martin coupe that has stunning lines—great for driving on the scenic roads in upstate New York.

Your favourite holiday destination?
I spend a lot of time traveling around the world, so I prefer my holidays at home.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
While it is always nice to stay in hotels we have designed, it’s interesting to see how other designers interpret luxury, and there is always something to be learned from doing so. But there is a hotel in Matera, Italy that is so unusual because the rooms are in old caves perched on the cliffside—it’s quite an experience. It is called Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita.

Your favourite book, film & song?
True Grit by Charles Portis takes my breath away because it has a distinctive humor and shock value—it is full of surprises. Peter Greenaway’s The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover still captivates with its bombastic visuals, gorgeous music, and great performances. I happen to like Malcolm McClaren’s Jazz is Paris for its sentimental value.

Your favourite food and drink?
A good steak frites in New York or Paris has never ending appeal.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
On my boat on Copake Lake, a cooler full of white wine, and various friends wiling away the long, hot summer afternoons.

If you weren’t in this sector, what would you alternative profession be?
A race car driver. I love speed, and according to my husband, I drive like one.

Anything else interesting?
Next year I plan to tour Brazil, from South to North. Brasilia is one of those architectural pilgrimage destinations, and it is one place I have never been. I find that particularly exciting.

Exterior Designer: Fulvio de Simoni Yacht Design

Interior Designer: Meyer Davis

Shipyard: Rossinavi

Photography: Ingalls Photo