An interview with Mark D. Sikes

Though the year is young and it seems the spring semester has just gotten under way, the reality is that preparing for finals has already begun as the end of the semester nears. Tasked with the challenge of creating a TED talk of my own as a final for my art history class made me nervous, as anything public speaking related does, but I was rather excited about the the topic of the talk. We were instructed to have an interview with someone who works in the broad field of art and then breakdown the responses from the our questions to create my TED talk that would focus on a key take away. Naturally, I decided to reach out to an interior designer that inspires me, and while there are many, it was the remarkable Mark D. Sikes that promptly returned my email, agreeing to assist me in my endeavor . I'm grateful to have been able to speak with Mark and I’m elated to share my experience.

Mark D. Sikes is a well known, accomplished designer who’s worn many interesting hats over his career. Mark has worked in retail, merchandising and marketing before turning his focus to residential design while managing a chic blog, https://markdsikesblog.com/blog/, where he shares his daily inspiration ranging from “stripes, white jeans and military jackets to chinoiserie, wicker, and of course, anything that is blue and white". Mark’s interior design work has been published across the print as well as the digital shelter world, however, many of his recent projects have been released in his first book, shown below, titled 'Beautiful: All-American Decorating and Timeless Style'.

Again, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with such an accomplished designer and below is our interview. While I'm no Anderson Cooper, these brief questions did allow for some insight on everything a designer can accomplish with a lot of hard work and I am, perhaps more than ever, confident in my pursuit to become a designer.

• What is it that pushed you to courageously pursue your passion for interior design?

Well, I had a lot of people reach out to me after my own house was published and asked me to do what I did for myself. I love a challenge so I said “yes!”

• At the time that you were just starting out as an interior designer, did you find it challenging to find your niche within that industry, or have you always been more interested in residential design?

I have always loved residential design. I was always reading magazines and studying book on architecture, gardens and design, it was just what I enjoyed. I have had a really wonderful time since I entered the interior design industry, it hasn’t been easy, it’s so much work, and it’s not as glamorous as it looks, but I have stayed true to myself and I think what we do is very authentic.

• How did you go about finding inspiration for projects and is there ever a time where you feel that you must distance yourself from the world and self-reflect?

Inspiration is everywhere you look. Whenever I feel like I’m not feeling inspired somehow it just comes. I do think you have to keep your eyes open, and your heart too.

• Do you believe it’s important, or perhaps necessary, to have a secondary education to find success in this industry, or do you believe success driven by something else?

I don’t think you have to have a secondary education. I think creativity is a gift people are given. I do think working hard, understanding marketing and having a strong operational acumen is the true recipe for success in this industry.

• You’ve taken your affinity for stripes and the colors white a blue and transformed it into a lifestyle by having both an interior design business and fashion line. Do you have any other passions that you plan to explore?

Yes, many. I’m wanting to create an international brand.

• Going off on that, how do you adapt to change successfully and keep your lifestyle brand on top throughout the years?

I think the beauty and the details of our design work and our lifestyle brand will always be consistent, on point and timeless, I think what will evolve and change will be how we reach the consumer and tell our story whether it be through the internet, social media, virtual reality, or by means we haven’t even heard of yet.

• Do you feel that you’ve curated a lifestyle brand that appeals to everyone or does your talent appeal only to the more discriminating home owners and what does that mean to you?

I by no means think what we do appeals to everyone, and that’s ok. When brands or people start wanting to change who they are to be more appealing that’s when you loose focus, direction, and leverage. However, I do want to ensure what we do is always inspiring and innovative, but always approachable, inviting and even attainable.

• With all that you’re involved in, I can only imagine how challenging it can be to separate yourself from work and other life matters. How do you find balance?

It’s hard. Still working on that, however, I feel blessed to love what I do.

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