We’re big fans of Mark D. Sikes around here. His L.A. home tour is one of our all-time favorites, and he shares our penchant for stripes, chinoiserie, and all things blue and white. So we’re thrilled that One Kings Lane is now home to the designer’s most complete online collection—including furniture for Henredon, rugs for Merida, pillows for Schumacher, and accessories from MDS Stripes. Mark even handpicked a selection of vintage finds just for us.
Read on for a peek at these gorgeous pieces—plus ideas and inspiration straight from the prolific designer himself.
Mark’s Brentwood collection has an airy feel, with streamlined silhouettes and plenty of stripes.
On His Collection for Henredon
One Kings Lane: How does your furniture line encapsulate California style?
Mark D. Sikes: There is a casualness and a comfort to California style—it can be beautiful and well designed, but it’s still welcoming. The chairs are meant to be sat in; you can put your feet up on the tables. I tried to incorporate this mentality when designing the collection. And this attitude is something that really works everywhere—you don’t have to live in California to enjoy the style.
OKL: The line consists of four collections: Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, Montecito, and Brentwood. What makes each one unique?
MDS: Even in California there is a range of styles and occasions, and I wanted to create four different collections that bring to life some of my favorite locations. Bel Air is more formal: The proportions are slightly smaller, the cushions have a firmer seat. I also mixed in chinoiserie, brass, and parchment—some of my favorite design elements.
Pacific Palisades is more serene, evoking the ocean and the sky. I often use a pale shade of blue for the upholstery in this collection, which works beautifully in a master bedroom. Montecito is a little more casual: The pieces have a larger scale, and the seats are deeper and meant for curling up in. There are also woven elements—one of my favorites—and the finishes have a broken-in patina. Brentwood is more modern, with straighter, more angular lines. The pieces are simple but well designed and functional.
OKL: How can someone put your designs together in their own space?
MDS: The beautiful thing about this collection is it works with so many different spaces and styles—it can be used all together, but it’s also easy to add just an item to what you already have at home.
Touches of black add depth to a blue-and-white dining room, featuring pieces by Mark D. Sikes for Henredon.
On Texture, Color, and Pattern
OKL: Where do you find inspiration for your fabric designs?
MDS: First you will notice my love of stripes! I love mixing patterns, and stripes work well with so many other motifs. I often look to antique textiles from India and China for inspiration; there is such a rich history of artistry from both countries.
OKL: How do you approach mixing and matching patterns in a space?
MDS: I always start with color first—it can bring together many different patterns that otherwise have nothing in common. Mixing scales and types of patterns (geometrics, florals, stripes) is important too.
OKL: You’re known for blue and white. What do you love about this color combo?
MDS: Blue and white has been one of my favorite color combinations for as long as I can remember. I really think of blue almost as a neutral—it goes with almost everything.
OKL: What role does texture play in a space?
MDS: A range of textures and materials is really what makes a room interesting. A room should look collected, like you added items over time. When everything matches, I tend to think it looks too much like a hotel.
The Presidio Rug from Mark D. Sikes for Merida puts a fresh spin on the traditional wool dhurrie.
A blue-and-white palette unifies a collection of patterned pillows from Mark’s line.
The beautiful thing about this collection is it works with so many different spaces and styles. It can be used all together, but it’s just as easy to add an item to what you already have at home.
The Doheny Étagère by Mark D. Sikes for Henredon, styled with a selection of geometric accents and elegant accessories from his line.
The Bel Air collection blends European and American elements for a luxurious yet utterly livable look.
Pieces from the Pacific Palisades collection are perfect for creating a dreamy bedroom.
On Living Life Beautifully
OKL: What’s one thing every bedroom needs?
MDS: Good sheets! Invest in them—it’s worth it.
OKL: How do you use decor to bring the outdoors in?
MDS: I love to bring the outside in and the inside out. You can do this by using a floral fabric inside, and I also use a lot of wicker and indoor plants. Myrtle topiaries are a favorite.
OKL: Are there any parallels between designing clothing and designing a room?
MDS: Good style never goes out of fashion. I believe a room or a great item of clothing should look good today or 20 years from now.
The cerused-oak Santa Monica Dresser and linen-upholstered Loring Slipper Chair, both by Mark D. Sikes for Henredon.
Designer Mark D. Sikes.
Good style never goes out of fashion. I believe a room or a great item of clothing should look good today or 20 years from now.
Join the Discussion