"Up In The Villa" with Mark D. Sikes at the Kips Bay Showhouse

I was thrilled to learn that my friend Mark D. Sikes was designing a room for the 2015 Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse. Mark is known for his love of blue and white and has even coined a frequently used hashtag #blueandwhiteforever that’s become it’s own thing. So I kind of went into the preview with the expectation of a blue and white themed room but was pleasantly surprised when I stepped into his space to find every inch covered in red checks, stripes and paisleys. Mark says he didn’t want to be too predictable and he definitely succeeded with this stunner of a room! He calls his dining room “Up in the Villa” and it’s inspired by the homes of Italian princess and style icon Marella Agnelli with influences from Italian architect Renzo Mongiardino. The unveiling of Mark’s Kips bay room also doubles as the official debut of his fabulous new rattan dining collection for Soane Britain that steals the spotlight and lends a casually elegant, “California-meets-Uptown” vibe to the otherwise formal dining room.

There were so many fabulous upholstery details in the space. From the fringed banquettes and elaborate trimmings on the window coverings to the walls clad in a red gingham check by Schumacher with inset panels featuring Bennison’s Malabar paisley. The mix is unexpected but it all works so well here. I also love the juxtaposition of the small and large checks on the wall. And of course, Mark had to incorporate a bit of his signature blue and white with the addition of porcelain urns mounted on wall brackets from Bunny Williams. Below, more gorgeous details from Mark’s room for you to enjoy along with a portrait of Mark in his space. Congrats Mark – your room is absolutely gorgeous! Photos by Anthony Crisafulli.