As Seen In: Modern Luxury Los Angeles

WINTER 2023 ISSUE

Known for interiors that exude a classic look and feel, Mark D. Sikes’ (markdsikes.com) design influence can be seen everywhere, from The White House to the curated product collections he’s collaborated on. The latest, Mark D. Sikes for Modern Matter (modern-matter.com), focuses on solid brass hardware in timeless styles that can be used from the kitchen to the bathroom and beyond. Here, the California-based designer shares his inspiration behind the line.

Q&A with Mark D. Sikes

Writen by Laura Eckstein Jones

You’re known for interiors that have a classic American look and feel. How do the three lines—Valencia, Clementine and Pixie—exemplify this?

The collection is based on my personal project, Orange Hill Farm in Ojai. The collection is divided into sub-collections that address all areas of the house. Each sub-collection was named after a variety of oranges, which relates back to Orange Hill.

How does living in Southern California inspire your work?

Classic California interior design is all about casual elegance and indoor-outdoor living, both of which are exemplified in all of our work. We work on projects all over the country, and all of our clients want that feeling and sensibility no matter where they’re located.

What materials and finishes did you incorporate?

We offer all the classic, basic finishes—burnished and polished brass, oil-rubbed bronze and polished nickel—but I’m really excited about the unique and different verdigris finish for more casual spaces as well as the porcelain knobs.

Do you have any favorites in the line?

I love the scale of all the little knobs. Each collection has a very diminutive knob. My favorite is the Clementine Porcelain Knob.

Shop Porcelain Hardware

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How do you see readers using these pieces at home?

Hopefully all over their house! There is something for everyone and everywhere.

You are a busy man with many projects in the works at once. What are you currently working on?

We’re lucky to [work] on projects all over the country—Miami, Los Angeles, New York, East Hampton, Sun Valley and Palm Beach, to name a few [spots]. We are honored to be designing the White House, Blair House and Trowbridge House in Washington, DC. I’m working on my third book, which will come out next fall, and I have a wonderful Basics Collection for Schumacher launching early next year.

As a longtime design pro, what about your job still excites you?

I love everything about what I do, especially the creative concepting, scheming and mixing of old and new things to create an individual story for each project we’re working on.