This week, we’re thrilled to welcome renowned designer Jeffrey Alan Marks to the show, known for his appearances on Bravo’s Million Dollar Decorators and his acclaimed book, The Meaning of Home. In our conversation, we dive into his latest work, This is Home, released this month with Rizzoli.
The conversation explores Jeffrey’s journey from his California roots to his training in London, revealing how his unique blend of Californian cool and English coziness informs his approach to interior design. Discover the challenges he faces when blending antiques with contemporary spaces, and gain insight into the evolving preferences of clients. Jeffrey shares personal anecdotes about balancing family life with the demands of design, reflecting on the impact of significant events like the California wildfires.
***Watch this week’s episode as recorded in video form on the Ballard Designs YouTube Channel***
ORDER NOW: “This is Home” by Jeffrey Alan Marks
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
- 00:00 Introduction to the How to Decorate Podcast
- 00:33 Welcoming Jeffrey Alan Marks
- 01:13 Jeffrey’s Personal Journey and Family
- 01:55 Design Philosophy and Influences
- 03:28 Impact of California Wildfires on Design Projects
- 05:01 Montecito Seaside Cottage Project: A Family Haven
- 06:41 Blending the Aesthetics of California and English Styles
- 07:52 The Challenges of Mixing Antiques with Modern Design
- 12:29 Adapting Design Strategies for Contemporary Spaces
- 16:03 Insights into Client Preferences and Evolving Design Trends
- 19:54 Designing for Families: Function Meets Aesthetics
- 21:59 Navigating Challenges in Kid’s Room Design
- 27:29 Exploring Neutral and Minimalist Design Aesthetics
- 29:48 Dream Homes and a Love for Antiques
- 30:24 The Charm of Swedish Antiques and Venetian Plaster
- 31:16 Balancing Calmness and Chaos in Design Spaces
- 32:05 The Sullivan Canyon Project: A Rock and Roll Farmhouse
- 33:12 Embracing Eclectic Design and Rustic Charm
- 37:33 The Art of Mixing Textures and Colors for Depth
- 39:32 Valuable Insights from Clients and the Design Process
- 41:01 Finding the Perfect Color Palettes: The Power of Blue Hues
- 47:59 Best Practices for Mixing Antiques with Contemporary Pieces
- 49:57 Listener’s Kitchen Renovation Dilemma: Backsplash Solutions
- 57:34 Final Thoughts and Farewell
IMAGE CREDITS: Excerpt from “This is Home” by Jeffrey Alan Marks
Decorating Dilemma:
Hello ladies,
I love the down to earth and inclusive design conversations you have on this podcast!
I have been renovating my home for the past four years and I am finally in the home stretch, just countertops, baseboards, casings, and a few finishing touches like decorative toe-kicks are left! But, I’m stuck on what to do for my backsplash.
I am planning on green-tinged soapstone counters with quite a bit of movement. There will be an overhang on the peninsula for stools, so that will be larger than the temporary plywood tops pictured. I would like to replace the range with a slide-in eventually. All the windows in this open concept room are north facing so I am concerned about a cave effect if soapstone is used for a full backsplash. I don’t love tile, mostly because I find it hard to clean well and we cook from scratch almost exclusively from our little garden-farm—all the way from dirty veggies pulled from the garden and animals that we raise. Subway tile is a definite no because I don’t like the look, but I could be open to something else.
The biggest issue is the wall with the sink and window. Tiling to the ceiling seems like A LOT since there are no cabinets, and there would be an awkward cutoff because the counter will end about 6 inches shy of the sliding door. An 18” tile backsplash feels a little builder grade?? I definitely need a backsplash to go all the way up to the windowsill behind the sink though (about 15”).
The only potentially feasible idea that I have had is to have the backsplash swoosh up and go all the way up behind the range and behind the sink and just do a 3-5 inch backsplash along the rest of the countertop.
The cabinets are BM Natural Wicker in satin, the walls are a warm light green, the floor is matte wire-brushed white oak with basically a clear coat, the pantry-hutch cabinet is quartersawn red oak with a walnut/honey oak specially mixed stain.
Thank you so much!
Devan
Also Mentioned in This Episode
- Shop Ballard Designs | Website
- Order a Physical Copy of “This Is Home” | Designer Book
- jeffreyalanmarks.com | Designer Website
- @jeffreymarksinc | Designer Instagram
Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.
Happy Decorating!
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