A More Beautiful Life, With Mark D. Sikes

The Designer Discusses His New Book, Kips Bay, and the Power of Home in a Pandemic

BY Caitlin Clark // 09.29.20

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Dallas Kips Bay Decorator House: In Mark Sikes' Kips Bay living room, a custom wallpaper by Iksel Decorative Arts is an airy blue and white Portuguese tile motif. Portuguese and Italian antiques throughout are from Nick Brock, John Nelson Antiques and Parc Monceau Antiques. (Photo Stephen Karlisch)

Furniture is Mark D. Sikes for Chaddock Home, covered in Schumacher fabric with Samuel & Sons trim. (Photo Stephen Karlisch)

A sneak peak at the new collaboration between Mark Sikes and Christopher Spitzmiller — here, the Mark sconce in a subtle wicker pattern. (Photo Stephen Karlisch)

The living room of Mark Sikes' Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas is inspired by the iconic Villa Fiorentina in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, decorated by Billy Baldwin. Window coverings The Shade Store. Center table from John Nelson Antiques, L.A. (Photo Douglas Friedman)

Dallas Kips Bay Decorator House: A large-scale painting from John Nelson Antiques in L.A., is a dramatic foil for the custom Iksel wallpaper. Sofa is Mark Sikes for Chaddock Home, covered in Schumacher fabric. (Photo Stephen Karlisch)

Mark D. Sikes, Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas 2020 (Photo Stephen Karlisch).

Window coverings are by The Shade Store. Hanging lantern from Paul Ferrante. Eighteenth-century mirror over mantel is from John Nelson Antiques in L.A. (Photo Stephen Karlisch)

Mark Sikes' second book from Rizzoli, "More Beautiful: All-American Decoration."

In Mark Sikes’ home, a bedroom with a trove of chinoiserie objects and hand-painted Gracie wallcovering. (Photo Amy Neunsinger)

From the new book, a living room with two back-to-back sitting areas. (Photo Amy Neunsinger)

In a southern traditional interior, Mark Sikes placed ferns on pedestals; settee covered in Brunschwig & Fils fabric. Quadrille wallpaper. (Photo Amy Neunsinger)

In a coastal home, a pair of barn doors are painted glossy cobalt. Wallpaper is Farrow & Ball. (Photo Amy Neunsinger)

Mark Sikes

Dallas Kips Bay House: In Mark Sikes' Kips Bay living room, a custom wallpaper by Iksel Decorative Arts is an airy blue and white Portuguese tile motif. Portuguese and Italian antiques throughout are from Nick Brock, John Nelson Antiques and Parc Monceau Antiques. (Photo Stephen Karlisch)

The living room of Mark Sikes' Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas is inspired by the iconic Villa Fiorentina in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, decorated by Billy Baldwin. Window coverings The Shade Store. Center table from John Nelson Antiques, L.A. (Photo Douglas Friedman)

Dallas Kips Bay House: A large-scale painting from John Nelson Antiques in L.A., is a dramatic foil for the custom Iksel wallpaper. Sofa is Mark Sikes for Chaddock Home, covered in Schumacher fabric. (Photo Stephen Karlisch)

With the launch of his second book from Rizzoli, More Beautiful: All-American Decoration, and the unveiling of his room in the inaugural Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas, PaperCity chats with designer Mark D. Sikes.

Your follow-up book to Beautiful is aptly named. What will we see?

More Beautiful is a continuation of the story we started in the first book — but instead of being broken up by color, it’s organized by style of homes. Within these styles are common threads that further define our firm’s direction and sensibility.

Your design sense has really seeped into America’s subconscious after your work on Nancy Meyers’ movies and Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James boutiques.

I think our signature style is one that people relate to because it’s approachable and authentic. It makes me happy to see people’s positive response to it. We all know everyone loves blue and white!

KipsBay_Day1_0032-COMP (Photo by Stephen Karlisch) — Mark D. Sikes’ living room for Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas, is named Casa Fiorentina, and was inspired by the iconic Villa La Fiorentina in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, built in 1917 and most famously owned by Rory Cameron then by Mary Wells Lawrence and Harding Lawrence, decorated by Billy Baldwin. Antique dhurrie rug from Guinevere Antiques, London. (Photo Douglas Friedman)

How have your Texas roots influenced your design sense?

When I think of Texas, I think traditional, fun, and glamorous. I think our design has the best combination of those elements.

Your work is so beautiful but also classic and cozy — do you think more people are connecting with your work in the pandemic as they spend more time in their own spaces?

I think in general people are finding their homes to be their sanctuaries. What is important now is that people feel comfortable in their homes and that they surround themselves with what they love, which is ultimately what our firm’s work is all about.

One design object from a Mark D. Sikes collection that could totally transform a space.

I think it’s more about the mix than any one piece. But if I had to pick something, I think having a lot of books can transform a space. So, there’s always a need for lots of copies of More Beautiful!

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What’s on the drawing board?

We’re entering our 10th anniversary year as a design firm, so we have a lot to celebrate. In addition to the new book launch, we were excited to design the living room of the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas. We have more collections lined up with Hudson Valley, Annie Selke, and Schumacher, and a new outdoor lighting collection with Troy. But, always, the thing we love most is working with clients. We’re lucky to have projects all across the country, from Palm Beach to Sun Valley.

More Beautiful: All-American Decoration ($45) is now available for purchase.