Style Profile: Markham Roberts
Today I am honored to have the illustrious designer Markham Roberts join us for a Q&A Style Profile! Markham is one of my absolute favorite designers, and it comes as no surprise that he began his career with another favorite… the legendary Mark Hampton. Markham has been recognized by Architectural Digest’s prestigious list of the top 100 interior designers and architects in the world, the AD100. He was also included in the 2018 book “Inspired Design, the 100 Most Important Designers of the Past 100 Years,” among the all-time great decorators. And he is truly one of the greats. Vogue has called him “a master of timeless American style,” and Architectural Digest says he is “known for savvy, erudite interpretations that make old-school, all-American decorating fresh again…” precisely why I love his work! Welcome, Markham!
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in interior design?
A: I had always been interested in art and design, but I had no real clue that I wanted to be a decorator until I actually started doing it. I was lucky enough to get a job working for the great Mark Hampton, and I immediately knew that I was doing exactly what I should be doing. I must have been a bit slow at that age.
Q: What were the biggest lessons you learned while working for Mark Hampton? Do you have any stories you can share?
A: Of course being exposed to Mark and getting to work on the jobs the firm was doing was invaluable to my training, but the most important thing I learned from him was just how hard you have to work to get the job done well.
Q: Vogue has called you “a master of timeless American style,” and I couldn’t agree more. This is a characteristic that defines Hampton’s work as well. What is the secret to achieving timeless style?
A: I don’t think there is a secret or any applied effort but rather more of a love or interest in great design from all over the world and letting it direct or inform one’s work. As Americans we are a perfect mix of all sorts of diverse cultural influences, and I think this is what makes us interesting.
Q: In your book you say your family gave you an appreciation for “traditional things” such as Oriental rugs, European furniture, silver, and old paintings, and that “knowing the past gives us the foundation for being creative in our own ways.” How do we keep these traditions alive today and into the future?
A: Don’t let these things go. If you love antiques, use them, mix them in and enjoy them.
Q: How do you define the essence of American design?
A: Again here I see it as a mixture of all our diverse and multicultural influences. My grandparents collected English and French furniture and European paintings, which were in fashion at the time. In today’s global times, we have so much more to draw from, and whether people are interested in Chinese contemporary art, 19th century Russian furniture or African tribal sculpture, they all help to make up a uniquely American feel, conveying our curiosity of the world around us and our ability to assimilate things into our broader culture.
Q: What are five classic pieces of furniture or design elements every home needs?
A: My needs are comfortable furniture, good functional lighting, art and accessories that please me or remind me of things, ample shelves for books, and I always like a well set up bar.
Q: Are there any signature ingredients you particularly enjoy incorporating into your interiors?
A: I try to make each job unique to itself and the clients, but there are always elements we are naturally drawn to and use again and again. Custom pillows and lampshades are important parts of my designs, and they go a long way to give each job character.
Q: Is there anything new or different your clients are asking for these days?
A: All tech needs are new to me. I still use my CD and DVD players happily. Which is why clients have AV systems put in by the professionals.
Q: How do you make a home feel truly special and unique?
A: Listen to the client, think carefully about them and make their home reflect them and the way they live.
Q: When you aren’t busy designing, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A: I enjoy garden work, being in nature, traveling when I can, cooking, and listening to music.
Thank you, Markham, for joining us today. What an exquisite portfolio! These are rooms that will look just as fresh and beautiful 50 years from now. For additional information, please visit Markham Roberts Inc. and follow @markhamroberts on Instagram for ongoing inspiration. Photography for today’s post is from Markham’s book, Decorating the Way I See It. If you don’t already own a copy of this book, you will most certainly want to add a copy to your library along with Mark Hampton: An American Decorator and Inspired Design, the 100 Most Important Designers of the Past 100 Years. Great design stands the test of time.
A Charming Green Monochromatic Cottage
For Palm Beach-based designer Jack Fhillips, Black Squirrel Farm, his 123-year-old country home in upstate New York, is an oasis for relaxation. The soothing green and white palette was inspired by the greens of the surrounding pines and evergreens. “My attitude is, when you’re surrounded by nature that way, you need to make it flow inside,” he told The Cottage Journal. After collecting dozens of green paint samples, the resulting choices range from pistachio to sage to mint and bottle-green. The various shades keep the monochromatic scheme in each room interesting, and the warmth of the wood adds depth and contrast.
Originally a boarding house, the simple shingled structure “was a sad old house, in a way” when Jack purchased it with updates reflecting “the sins of the ‘70s and the bad vibes from the ‘80s,” he said. While renovation was underway, Jack began collecting furniture and accessories. He selected 18th- and 19th-century English furniture to complement the style and period of the house. While some pieces had a pedigree, others were rescued from the curb or discovered at thrift shops and given a second life with paint and upholstery. “When I see a chipped plate or a dented, dinged piece of furniture, I say, ‘If only you could talk,’ he said. “It means more if it’s not perfect.” The mixing of fine antiques and salvaged finds evokes the “British bits-and-pieces” approach to decorating and gives a house comfortable, welcoming character perfect for a retreat in the country.
This tour was originally featured in The Cottage Journal, and additional photography was graciously provided by Carmel Brantley of Brantley Photography.
Did you notice one room – a guest bedroom – that departs from the green theme? A brown and white Mount Vernon toile inspired Jack to begin collecting George and Martha Washington items, including an antique print of the first President.
Jack Fhillips has offices in Palm Beach and Manhattan. You can learn more by visiting Jack Fhillips Design and follow @jackfhillipsdesign on Instagram for ongoing inspiration. I also recommend following @brantleyphoto for beautiful photography inspiration. To see more of Jack’s work, as featured by The Glam Pad, please click on the links below…
- AN ENGLISH-INSPIRED EAST HAMPTON HOME BY JACK FHILLIPS (another green monochromatic home)
- BLUE AND WHITE PALM BEACH PERFECTION (an all blue and white retreat miraculously designed by Jack in just six weeks!)
Classic Interior Design by Scully & Scully
For anyone who loves classic style, Scully & Scully is the mecca and a dreamy destination when visiting New York City. It is a special treat each season when my beautiful catalogue arrives in the mail. Scully & Scully opened their doors on Park Avenue in Manhattan in 1934 with the mission of providing the world’s finest home furnishings and gifts in a gracious and beautiful atmosphere. Eighty-five years later, they have become the gold standard for upscale home decor, and I recently discovered that they also offer interior design services! In a world full of trends, it is refreshing to find a resource for all things timeless and traditional.
Scully & Scully’s Interior Design Department offers classic design for elegant living. Jonathan Tait, Scully & Scully’s lead designer, is a graduate of The Parsons School of Design who began his design career in several well known fashion houses including Valentino and Zandra Rhodes. Jonathan and his team create room layouts, select furniture, fabric, wall coverings, carpeting, and more. And of course, all customers and clients have access to Scully & Scully’s vast collection of luxury fine china and dinnerware sets, crystal and glassware, and sterling silver from top luxury brands. Let’s take a look at some portfolio highlights!
Below are a few of my favorite items available through Scully & Scully, most of which are exclusive to the store!
With the holidays rapidly approaching, Scully & Scully is also a wonderful resource to help find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. To learn more, please visit sculllyandscully.com and click here for additional information on their in-house interior design services. You can also follow @scullyandscully on Instagram for ongoing inspiration and updates.
Becky Boyle’s Southern Living Showcase
After working as a senior designer at Mark D. Sikes Interiors, Becky Boyle recently formed her eponymous firm, Becky Boyle Interiors with offices in California and North Carolina, and let me tell you… her work is exquisite!! Becky was asked to design the dining room, butler’s pantry, and bunkroom for the Southern Living Showcase Home in Nashville, and when she posted a sneak peek of her dining room last week on Instagram, I gasped! It is hands down the prettiest dining room I have ever seen, and I am so happy that she is sharing additional pictures with us here today!
The wallpaper is by Gracie, manufacturers of the prettiest wallpapers on earth. Caroline Boykin designed artwork to complement with porcelain flowers and butterflies fluttering off the canvas and hanging on the Gracie wallpaper. The beautiful rug is from Kings House Rugs, and the lighting is Circa with custom shades created for the chandelier.
“I have always been fascinated by Truman Capote’s Swans of 5th Avenue,” Becky told The Glam Pad. “When I lived there I tried to learn as much as I could about them and have always tried to base my design aesthetic and style off these beautiful, classic and well styled women. I wanted this to be a Southern nod to their timeless style. They all loved to host, and had grand dining rooms with tall ceilings – usually a tableskirt for different occasions and lots of layers and warmth.” Let’s take a look at her rooms with photography by Laurey Glenn!
The tabletop features a mix of Becky’s personal antiques, chargers from Aerin, and pink lettuceware from Dodie Thayer for Tory Burch. Monogrammed napkins are by The Monogrammed Home.
Sarah Bartholomew’s shop lent the square coffee table and art over the banquette.
Becky was inspired by Mario Buatta when designing the silk curtains. (You read more about couture curtain design here.)
For the butler’s pantry, Becky hand cut botanicals from Redouté: Selection of the Most Beautiful Flowers (French Edition) and applied them to the walls. You can see a video here! The bunkroom wallpaper is by Lulie Wallace with pillows from D. Porthault.
Please click here to learn more about the Southern Living Showcase Home in Nashville. The home was built by Hatcliff Construction. For additional information on this talented young designer, please visit Becky Boyle Interiors and follow @becky_boyle on Instagram. And please stay tuned to The Glam Pad, as I look forward to featuring more of Becky’s work!
