We’ve had the pleasure of working with Santa Monica- based Christine, of Christine Markatos Design, from the inception of our company.
She has an amazing way of envisioning spaces by layering patterns, colors and materials to give them originality, dimension and warmth.
We are always excited to see the way she incorporates our textiles in the homes she designs. Very often, she and her team, customize our textiles in particular color ways to perfectly fit their schemes and spaces. They are meticulous about their attention to detail and work closely with us and our LA representative, Nicky Rising to realize their vision.
Read on to learn about Christine:
How did you become an Interior Designer?
My background was in Studio Art and at one time I thought to try a career as a sculptor. It was in graduate school that I realized the path needed to change and my treasured Sculpture professor was the first to suggest Interior Design. I finished school and returned to NYC and shortly thereafter had the lucky opportunity of landing an assistant position in the Interiors department at Peter Marino Architect. That’s where I caught the bug.
How would you describe your personal design aesthetic?
My love is mixing color, pattern and textures to create a composition never combined before. It is what keeps me working on project after project and I always strive to start each one with a new and unexpected design scheme.
What is your approach to color?
I spent years studying and even teaching color in school and I feel that has informed and allowed me to be confident in my use of color. I love it whether its whisper soft, vibrant or anywhere in between.
What are your three ‘must haves’ in a space?
Scale, proportion and an unexpected moment make the best spaces that will look timeless and unique.
What is your most treasured design related object?
My vintage jewelry collection. I collect pieces from the 20’s to the 70’s and each piece has such personality and incredible craftsmanship that they give me visual pleasure again and again.
Your most favorite project is?
Each project is like my baby, I love them all. I’ve also been lucky enough to work with great clients on many projects so its hard to pick just one.
What is your dream project?
Any project that I am given the freedom to create a complete aesthetic down to the tiniest accessory, and where the client is supportive of the process. I love vintage houses so if I am working with wonderful bones that is an added bonus.
A happy home to you is……?
One that has been created to allow you to enjoy life by establishing a level of beauty for you to live in. It’s hard not to have a good day when you wake up in a beautiful home surrounded by pretty things!
When creating a new scheme for a room, at what point do textiles play a part?
They are always right there at the beginning. Often at the start of projects we scheme our fabrics first to set the vibe and color story for each room.
What is your Fave seemakrish textile or wallcovering?
seemakrish fabrics make the best curtains because there is always some combination of multiple colors and textures that perfectly allow us to tie all the other fabrics in the room together. The Malabar Hill pattern is an easy go-to for us; we love the combination of embroidery and paint and the scale is perfection.
