Mark D. Sykes has skyrocketed to fame since his traditional-with-a-twist West Hollywood home graced the cover of House Beautiful magazine in winter 2012 (yes, we’ve seen our own) ). Known for classic interiors with seasonal touches, the Los Angeles-based designer, tastemaker and author has designed for everyone from Reese Witherspoon to First Lady Jill Biden. Sykes is the author of two best-selling books, “Beautiful” and “More Beautiful.” Her third book, “Forever Beautiful” (Rizzoli), released last month, covers the 12 months of the year. He completes his homage to beauty by presenting 12 projects inspired by the seasons. We spoke to this master of fresh, American style about what inspired this book, why he never had a summer of brats, and why tangerines are controlling his future. I heard it.
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House Beautiful: This book is very atmospheric! Where did the idea for 12 months come from?
Mark Sykes: Nature inspires all our projects. That’s the essence of our brand and what we emphasize. I’ve lived in California for 20 years, and indoor and outdoor life here has blurred. A book about indoor-outdoor lifestyles and how we can combine the outdoors and indoors seemed like a natural next step to conclude my trilogy of books. The connection with the seasons is also my way of thinking and thinking. I used to work in fashion, and in the fashion world you’re always thinking about the seasons. We tell stories through our clothes, which are interconnected with specific times of the year.
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Forever beautiful: All-American style all year round
HB: To be honest, design books aren’t necessarily best sellers. Why do you think your books do so well and resonate with readers?
MS: We live in these crazy times, polarized on so many levels. I think beauty brings people together. It has a common language. People crave optimism, joy, and happiness. I think that’s true beauty. And I think people are drawn to spaces that feel authentic, comfortable and inviting. There is a reality to who I am and what I believe. I continue on that path. I’m not trying to be anything other than who I am. I think that comes through on every page.
HB: The subtitle of this book is “All-American Style, All Year Round.” How do you define “all Americans”?
MS: It’s interesting, because the history of our country and its design is not that old. In other words, American style incorporates aspects of Europe, England, and France. I think what gives our interiors an American sensibility is the fact that they are charming and optimistic. It’s colorful, refreshing, and classic. But a classic design that will last a long time doesn’t have to be fuddy-duddy. It can be fresh and exciting, yet timeless. American style is still evolving. There are so many great Americans who came before us, like Billy Baldwin and Mark Hampton. Today’s interiors are not as delicate or fanciful as they were back then. The room is now more intimate and easier to reach.
HB: What’s the secret to keeping traditional interiors from feeling cloudy?
MS: Natural textures like raffia and fabrics are a big part of it. I tend to gravitate toward cotton over silk or taffeta. I want that comfort aspect. Also layer the details with lots of trims and beautiful applications. I want them to discover something new when they enter the room. A room shouldn’t reveal everything at first glance. I want people to say, “Oh my god!” I didn’t notice it until now! ” We also want people to say, “Wow, I want to go into that room!”
HB: Has living in different parts of the country influenced your design sensibilities and ideas of American style?
MS: I grew up in the Midwest and South. When I worked in fashion, I was always in New York. Then I lived in California for 20 years. So I always say that our work is a combination of all of those things. Midwesterners know what home is and how to feel at home. The South had a lot of entertainment, gardening, and tradition. The East Coast has a sense of sophistication, elegance and luxury – a sophisticated city. And clearly, the West Coast has a bohemian element to it, with amazing ease of indoor-outdoor living. All of this combines to create an interior that is attractive, comfortable, traditional and sophisticated.
Amy Neusinger
A guest bedroom in an East Hampton home designed by Mark D. Sykes.
HB: TikTok is a constant source of design inspiration, from cottagecore to maximalism to eclecticism. Are there any classic designs that you’re surprised to see come back onto the scene thanks to TikTok?
MS: To be honest, I don’t really think about trends. I tend to stick to what I know and like. But is it an antique? I think everyone loves antique furniture.
HB: If you drew a Venn diagram with a circle titled “Working in Fashion” and a circle titled “Working in Interior Design,” would they overlap? What would they have in common?
MS: It’s about creating a story. What fashion taught me was storytelling. The way I market products to stores is no different than the way I design my living room. I worked at Banana Republic and was responsible for visual merchandising and store design and concept. The most important thing in the retail industry is that you need to have products to promote what you want to sell. Maybe it was this season’s impactful sweater. You want to make sure that it’s very visible on the store tables, on the mannequins, on all the marketing. I think it’s important to bring the design story to the forefront in a room. These concepts are repeated throughout the home to achieve continuity and flow.
HB: Now that the brat summer is over, I can’t wait for it to turn lime green. What do you think will be the next trend in fall fashion? Will it extend to interior design as well?
MS: Personally, I don’t think about fashion. I don’t want to. I have a uniform and it’s mine. I always wear navy blue. This will clear your mind and allow you to focus on other creative endeavors. I’ve loved similar things ever since I was little, and I still do. I haven’t changed my personal aesthetic at all. However, I believe that everything influences each other: art, nature, furniture, fashion. But I’m a classicist, so I don’t think about what’s new. I rely on the past, not on trends.
HB: Your next big project, the subject of your fourth book, is a house you’re building in Ojai. Do you mind if I share a little information?
MS: It’s called Orange Hill Farm and it’s going to be a lot of fun. We purchased 14 acres of land two and a half years ago. Six acres of that will be a citrus farm and will be operational. This is not our home base. It will be our country home. We are taking our time. We are building from scratch and learning a lot. It will look back on the next 30 years and will also depict the lifestyle of farmers and the cultivation of mandarin oranges. All we have to do is build a place. We expect to break ground late this fall or early next spring, but it will take two years for the main building to be completed. There is also a pool house and several follies. And I would like to keep a horse.
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