Written by Natalie Aldridge.

Since 2005, Christine Markatos Design has been the go-to interior design firm for those who crave a blend of modern chic and classic charm. Led by Christine Markatos Lowe, who brings over 25 years of residential expertise, this award-winning studio transforms spaces into timeless treasures with a dash of wit.

Christine’s magic lies in her ability to mix patterns, colors, and textures, creating rooms that are as distinctive as they are elegant. Her design genius is fueled by a passion for the decorative arts and a love of globe-trotting adventures.

Before establishing her own studio, Christine honed her skills at renowned firms such as Peter Marino Architect, Michael S. Smith, and The Wiseman Group. She holds a B.A. in Studio Art from Trinity College and an M.F.A. in Sculpture from the University of Pennsylvania School of Design, making her a true artist at the core.

Christine’s work has dazzled readers of Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Luxe Interiors + Design, The Wall Street Journal, and the L.A. Times. Each project tells a unique story with elegance and a playful wink, setting the bar high for creativity and style in the world of interior design.

Welcome, Christine!

Q: When and how did you first become interested in interior design?

A: After a long history of studying fine art in school and completing an MFA in Sculpture at Penn, I returned to New York City trying to sort out the next step in my creative journey. By a stroke of good fortune, I landed a position at Peter Marino Architect and entered the interiors department as the most junior assistant. I learned about design from the ground up by working for the designers and assisted with creating proposals, hand drafting, and organizing design presentations for meetings.

Over time, I was assisting the Senior Designers in any way possible as they executed their projects. By the end of my tenure there, I was the assistant to the head of the department. The design education I received was incredible, from learning about the architectural details to the layering of materials and the museum-quality furnishings and art that were sourced for the clients. I soaked it all up, learning about the decorative arts on the go and was hooked.

Q: How do you define your style?

Timeless with a California twist. I am known for creating palettes that are infused with color and pattern, from soft and tranquil to bold and graphic. Color influences every aspect of my style and how I create environments for my clients.

A: Who are your top five interior designers (past/present)?

Hard to name just a few, but I love Veere Greeney, Markham Roberts, and Tom Scheerer because their work is refined yet casually elegant, deftly edited, and filled with beautiful details. I admire both Peter Marino and Michael Smith for all the theatrical beauty and incredible collections showcased in their work.

Q: Where do you enjoy sourcing antiques and art?

A: These days, there is access to everything at your fingertips! So, if you know what you are looking for, it’s easy to go online and discover endless possibilities. For antiques and art, I love sourcing at auction houses such as Doyle and Bonhams, 1st dibs, Chairish, Artsy, and Artnet. Though truthfully, my favorite sourcing happens when I find unexpected treasures at flea markets. Brimfield Flea Markets in Massachusetts and the L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Market in Provence are two favorites to mention.

Q: You are known for your artistic perspective, what do you most often look to for artistic inspiration?

A: I think inspiration is everywhere, from fashion to travel to sourcing from books. My favorite inspiration is found at museum exhibitions. I was recently in London and had the opportunity to see the Sargent and Fashion show at the Tate Britain. Sargent was a portraitist to the upper echelons of late 19th-century society, and his paintings have an ethereal quality to them. What was so inspiring about the show was that many of the dresses and accessories worn for the portraits had been saved and were also on display in juxtaposition with the painting. Swoon-worthy!

Q: What are five everyday luxuries you could not live without?

A: Le Labo scents, my favorite being Lys 41; candy, whether a piece of chocolate or something sour; listening to music; fresh mint tea in the evening; and a hot bubble bath.

Q: What is one fail-safe design element that every room should have?

A: Beautiful lighting. Whether vintage, antique, or contemporary, I believe that lighting is the jewelry of the room. It is worth investing in beautiful lighting to help set the aesthetic of the room. By mixing types of lighting at different heights, you can balance the overall space. The bonus is that when the lighting is right, you look great as well!

Q: What is your favorite design or coffee table book?

A: The de Gournay hand-painted interiors book is so inspiring! Not only was I thrilled to have a project included in it, but seeing the creative ways each of their papers and fabrics serve as the backdrop to other designers’ work keeps me revisiting it again and again. And it has a gorgeous cover to boot to add to your tablescape!

Q: What advice do you have for women thinking of launching their own business?

A: Timing is everything. When you are ready to launch your business, it will be necessary to wear many hats, so be sure that you are available for a multi-tasking type of schedule. I always tell women I mentor that if you are taking a time out, for instance, to start a family, it is better to have one project to keep you still engaged, rather than stopping and then re-starting your business. That one project will keep you current in the market and show future clients that you can balance your family with your work.

Q: What are you working on next that we can look forward to?

A: We have a charming 1920’s house in Southampton that is almost ready to install, a very exciting yacht project starting in Europe, and several renovations currently happening in Los Angeles.

For additional information, please visit Christine Markatos Design and follow @christinemarkatosdesign on Instagram for ongoing inspiration!

x Natalie

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