This living room blends the timeless charm of 1934 with modern functionality, creating a room that honors its history while embracing contemporary living.
Andrew Joseph: Can you describe your design philosophy in three words?
Mark Cravotta: Timeless, livable, beautiful.
AJ: What is the most important element in a successful interior design?
MC: The key to successful interior design lies in the designer’s curiosity and keen observation. This fuels everything I do. I delve deep into each project, understanding the client’s desires and how they envision themselves in the space. Yet, I don’t take anything at face value; I anticipate unspoken needs and possibilities. The design process is really a discovery process to find the right expression in physical form per each client’s personality. I like to flesh out all ideas, sketch them out and think about how they might be better, refining until we reach optimal expression and timeless quality. This approach prioritizes lasting appeal over fleeting trends.
AJ: How do you stay creative and inspired?
MC: There is no better way to stay inspired than traveling, you must get out into the world to explore and discover new things and different cultures. Sure, you can benefit from reading and looking through photography and film, but there is nothing like the immersive multisensory experience of actually being in a place and moving your body through a space, soaking in all of the sensory input that’s flattened in those secondary mediums.
A bold rug adds an exciting burst of color to this entryway.
AJ: What was the last book you read and how did it inspire you?
MC: The Road Less Stupid by Keith J. Cunningham. I’m actually reading it for the 4th time right now. It’s a business book but it really taps into practical wisdom and timeless philosophy. It basically encourages questioning everything in business. It dovetails nicely into how I approach design projects, helping me come at them with a beginners mind that really taps into my creative force.
AJ: What is your favorite type of furniture to design?
MC: Any kind of case piece (tables, desks, cabinets). Upholstered pieces are much more difficult to get right unless you have the ability to prototype them.
AJ: What’s the weirdest thing a client has ever asked you?
MC: A client once asked me to design a stripper pole for his living room. I did it. And it ended up being a really nice space.
This serene bathroom features a floating marble sink that creates a sense of lightness, while the textured, scale-like wall tiles bring depth and dimension.
AJ: What’s your design pet peeve?
MC: The fascination with chasing trends.
AJ: What would your dream project or dream client be right now?
MC: A boutique hotel where I could imagine and design the entire experience from soup to nuts.
AJ: Best advice you’d give your teenage self?
MC: Don’t waste time looking for shortcuts, fall in love with the business end of the shovel.
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