Profile: Mark D. Sikes

I can’t recall specifically when and where I first meet the fabulous Mark D. Sikes (I believe it was in LA at the Design Blogger Conference). However, I do clearly remember the first time that I saw the beautiful Hollywood Hills home he shares with his partner, Michael Griffin, on the cover of the December/January 2012 issue of House Beautiful. I was instantly smitten. Mark’s exquisite home and his uncanny ability to seamlessly blend All-American classic style in a fresh and modern way made his an instant hit in the blog world and earned him immediate attention from the design community.

Mark began his career 20 years ago in retail visual merchandising working for Banana Republic/Gap Inc. First in the stores, and then working his way up through the corporate structure. Mark made his transition into the world of home design while overseeing Visual Merchandising and Store Marketing for Pottery Barn. It was during his tenure in visual merchandising that he developed (and honed) a talent for creating both beautiful and functional spaces.

Building on two decades of success, Mark decided to venture out on his own in 2012 as a successful interior designer and the owner of a consulting firm focused on retail groups specializing in Visual Merchandising, Creative Development, Marketing and Store Design.

Mark is currently working on interior design projects throughout the U.S. (Pacific Palisades, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Palm Springs, San Francisco and Marin County).  And, somehow between his business life, he curates the awesome blog Mark D. Sikes: Chic People, Glamorous Places, Stylish Things – one of my very favorites on the web. It’s truly all the best!

How would you describe your personal style?
All-American. Classic, and timeless…. I know a lot of people describe themselves this way, but what they can’t say is they’re consistent! I have loved what I love for as long as I can remember and I have been wearing the same things just as long. I guess I’m classic, cool and consistent with a uniform.

What is your most prized possession?
My 20 year collection of shelter and fashion magazines- we are talking thousands!

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Weekends on my back patio with an iced tea, a stack of new magazines and books, blue post-its and a pad of paper.

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
My i-Phone of course- hand held email, instant messaging, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter (however, I am so bad at tweeting), my note pad, camera, alarm, Starbucks card, on-line banking…everything I need to function!

What inspires your creativity and designs?
Everything around me…. my eyes are always open, but if I had to pinpoint one thing I’d say my clients truly inspire me with their needs and their lives.

Who are your style icons?
Bill Blass, Steve McQueen, George Cortina, Jackie Onassis, Jane Birkin, Vanessa Traina… the list goes on and on…

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
This list goes on an on too…. Ernesto Buch on architecture, Bunny Mellon and Miranda brooks on gardens, Carolina Irving on Fabrics, Phoebe Philo on a men’s fashion line, Oscar de la renta on anything……

What books are currently on your bedside table?
‘Designers at Home: Personal Reflection on Stylish Living’ of course.

What is your favorite luxury in life?
Weekly manicures, pedicures and facials.

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
No question, my grandfather. The hardest working and kindest man I have ever known. Everything about him has been my example of how I can live the best life possible!

PROFILE BY RONDA CARMAN