Mark D. Sikes on Art & Design
Photo of Mark's Los Angeles home by Amy Neunsinger.
Modern and unfussy, Mark D. Sikes’s interiors are classic takes on California indoor/outdoor living. Natural fibers, crisp coloration and his love for all things blue and white influence the aesthetic of his design firm, popular blog and eponymous clothing collection, MDS Stripes . This week marks the publication of his first book, Beautiful: All-American Decorating and Timeless Style. Our team is excited to catch up with Mark on art, design and his latest venture.
Mark D. Sikes at home. Photo by Claiborne Swanson Frank
The first book from interior designer Mark D. Sikes is a celebration of American style today, showcasing chic and accessible ideas for every home.
The Artful Review: We love how you incorporate art in unexpected places, such as on a bookshelf, under a console or even on a bathroom floor! Can you tell us a bit about your process for selecting art for your clients, as well as some of your favorite places to hang (or lean!) art in your home?
Mark D. Sikes: My process for selecting art for clients always starts with the client and what they love. I like a mix of art: oils, drawings, photography, and abstracts. The eclectic mix lends itself to leaning, clustering or even stacking art.
AR: Who are some of your favorite artists?
MDS: Of course I love Cy Twombly, Agnes Martin, or Ellsworth Kelly. For clients, I often choose Kayce Hughes, Kit Reuther and Susan Hable, who also happen to be good friends of mine.
AR: Ok, let's talk Beautiful! Huge congratulations--we can't get enough of it! We'd love to hear a bit about the underlaying design elements that appear throughout the book, whether applied to one of your classic blue & white rooms, your ode to old Hollywood design or a daring color combo in your glamour-infused homes. What advice would you give our readers for achieving your look?
MDS: It doesn't matter the theme, the style, or the color palette. I often rely on natural fiber rugs, blue and white, an eclectic mix of objects like stacks of books, beautiful fabrics, hand painted wallpapers and pillows in all shapes and sizes. I guess these are my tried and true staples that make any home beautiful.
Take a peek into Mark's latest book, Beautiful: All-American Decorating and Timeless Style
Photography by Amy Neunsinger.
Get Mark's look with his favorite pieces from Artfully Walls
