Style Profile: Mark D. Sikes Breaks the Internet Again

by Lacelliese King

Our next guest needs little introduction: in a relatively short 10 years since the beginning of his interior design career, Mark D. Sikes has become synonymous with timeless style and all things blue and white, wielding a design prowess that has elevated him to iconic status among the Grandmillennial set and classic interiors enthusiasts alike.

His work has been featured in too many publications to list, and he is a member of the AD100 list and Elle Decor’s A-List. Mark’s rooms for the Kips Bay Show House in New York, Greystone in Beverly Hills, the Southern Living Show House in Birmingham, the Coastal Living Show House in Newport, and the inaugural Kips Bay in Dallas in September 2020 have received many plaudits and have become viral inspiration sources across Instagram and Pinterest. Yes, Mark has broken the internet time and time again.

While many of his rooms are nothing short of stunning, he is talented at using simple elements—striped rugs, natural fibers, time-worn antiques with weathered patinas—to great effect. Mark’s signature catchphrase, “make it beautiful,” could not be a more apt mantra for devotees seeking to emulate his timeless sense of style. Having published multiple books, plus collaborations with trade partners such as Hudson Valley Lighting, Annie Selke, Schumacher, and Chaddock, we can now grace our own homes with Mark’s design capabilities, thankfully. And he’s just getting started.

We are exceptionally fond of Mark here at The Glam Pad, so it was my privilege to catch up with him for the latest installment of our Style Profile series.

Mark D. SikesTell us briefly about your journey to where you are today. Did you take a traditional path to becoming an interior designer? How do you think that has influenced your work and design perspective?

I never really set out to be an interior designer. After many years in creative departments for companies like the Gap and Williams Sonoma I moved to Los Angeles and decorated a house we bought there. It got published and the phone just started ringing. Ten years later, and we have a really busy and prolific design firm and I couldn’t be happier. I feel so lucky to get to do what I love every day.

Where do you find mentorship and/or inspiration for your business?

Bunny Williams is a dear friend and mentor. I always found her work so inspiring, and I reached out to her early on to let her know and she has always been so kind and supportive.

How do you describe your personal style (both in fashion/lifestyle and interiors)?

Classic is overused, but I am drawn to things that are timeless. I think whether its fashion or a room that it should stand the test of time and look good 20 years ago or 20 years from now.

What is one fail-safe design element that every room should have?

Wicker.

What do you consider the most exciting part of your work, and how do you stay energized on a project?

I love the creative process. I usually start with color and pattern and then layer on furniture and accessories. This part is the most fun. Like every other business, a large part of what goes into creating a home is actually the business side of it. If this isn’t handled well the end result suffers.

Have you ever had a decorating disaster that you can laugh about now?

I can’t really think of a disaster. There are always last minute scrambles. I remember we had ordered a lot of furniture from a company that went bankrupt and couldn’t ship the pieces we had ordered with only a couple weeks left to go before a big installation. We had to rush to have all the pieces made at the last minute. Our workrooms were great and they recreated everything perfectly but it was definitely stressful.

What are you working on next that we can we look forward to?

I have new collections coming out with Hudson Valley Lighting this June, and a new furniture collection with Chaddock launching in the Fall. I am already starting work on my third book and we have three stories out this summer and fall in shelter magazines.