The beauty of a stylish home – “This is Home” by Jeffrey Alan Marks
- mymoderndarcy
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Dear readers, as the weather warms, it makes me think of being at the seaside; when thinking of the seaside, it reminds me of the many shades of coastal blue; speaking of coastal blue, there is nothing appeals more to me right now than the new book by one of my favorite American interior designers, Mr. Jeffrey Alan Marks, titled “This is Home”. I first discovered Jeffrey’s work through his appearance on the TV show “Million Dollar Decorators” a decade ago (where I also became a fan of his fellow co-stars, including American interior designers, Mr. Nathan Turner and Ms. Mary McDonald). In 2013, when his first book, “Jeffrey Alan Marks: The Meaning of Home” debuted, it instantly caught my attention, and I snapped up a copy without a second thought. Now, nearly a decade later, I am thrilled to dive into his second book and explore these fresh interior projects that this talented and handsome interior designer has curated.
Published by Rizzoli just last month and authored by Jeffrey himself, with a foreword by acclaimed American designer, Mr. John Saladino, “This is Home” showcases ten houses with impressive interiors designed by Jeffrey, including his own residences on both the West and East Coasts. This beautiful book offers readers an intimate look at the details and thoughtful touches that Jeffrey has infused into every inch of these spaces, telling the story behind with his own words along with stunning photos, which explains how his interiors create stylish, harmonious, and livable environments that not only reflect each homeowner’s unique aesthetic, but also bear Jeffrey’s artistic vision, creative voice, and impeccable taste that makes each of these homes memorable and intriguing to explore.
Photo Credit: Carlos San Juan
Trained in England and rooted in Southern California, Jeffrey’s aesthetic blends modernized southern American classic style, coastal chic, and subtle boho relaxing elements; this fusion results in interiors that are comforting, stylish, and approachable-perfect for families with or without children.
One of the best ways to experience Jeffrey’s style (which is also my personal favorite!) is through a visual tour of his own homes: one in Montecito, California, and the other in Greenwich, Connecticut. Both embodied the southern chic and modern suburban charm; the Montecito home exudes a nautical vibe, inspired by its coastal surroundings, with a color palette of oceanic blues and crisp whites. Upholstery features relaxed seaside-inspired textures and patterned fabrics, while nostalgic wooden furniture pieces create a tranquil resort-like sanctuary. This home literally reflects Jeffrey’s vision of creating a tasteful, relaxing space for his husband and daughter.
In contrast, his Greenwich home is a 1920s country house, where Jeffrey sought to “revive the Shipman-instilled grandeur”, this residence offers a different kind of southern chic, characterized by serene spaces painted in a unique Scandinavian gray-blue (which reminds me of the cover color of his first book) and an intriguing mix of art objects and furniture. The dining room is particularly striking, adorned with luxurious hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper, and furnished with a wooden rectangular table paired with country-style chairs in a forest green palette. The charming bedroom suite brings nature indoors with Schumacher wallpaper by Colette Cosentino, matching with the designer’s hand-picked tasteful furnishings in moss green, mustard yellow, ivory, and touches of grayish blue, evoking the cozy elegance of an English country house.
“This is Home” is more than just a beautiful coffee table book; it is an updated showcase of Jeffrey’s talent for creating comfortable and stylish spaces by blending antique and contemporary pieces under one roof. The thoughtful use of coastal-inspired palettes underscores how important mindfulness and taste are in crafting a stylish home. In turn, it inspires us all to create living spaces that reflect the beauty of southern American classic and relaxed style, starting with arrays of coastal blues.
Image courtesy of Rizzoli USA.