Markham Roberts works with a wide variety of projects in a variety of styles. He is adept at interpreting and synthesizing the essence of his diverse multigenerational clients, along with his own creative contribution. The result is a timeless cohesive blend, adapted specifically for each project.

“Known for savvy, erudite interpretations that make old-school, all-American decorating fresh again, Markham Roberts pulls freely from European, American, and Asian influences, to superbly synthesize distinctly daring combinations of color, pattern, and style.”

Architectural Digest

Called “a master of timeless American style” by Vogue, Markham has earned a reputation as one of the leading decorators of his generation.

Markham Roberts was nominated for the AD100, Architectural Digest’s prestigious list of the 100 best interior designers and architects in the world, as well as for the Elle Decor A-List.

His charming and practical way makes him attractive to customers, as well as his ability to complete his design projects, on time and on budget. In fact, there are even those who say that Markham has as many former clients as current friends.

Throughout all the projects, what is most evident is his deep knowledge of traditional and contemporary furniture and fine art, his skillful mixture of patterns, from floral to geometric and, of course, his famous whimsy and humor.

Roberts uses the American chest in the dining room of his Port Townsend, Washington, house to hold linens and to shelter the sea otter statue he bought at a local antiques shop.
Wicker predominates in a neighboring room with a view of Puget Sound. Textiles and Mark Catesby bird prints adorn the walls.

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Markham’s highly respected book, “Decorating: The Way I See It“, published in 2014 by Vendome Press, showcases his thoughtful, tailored, and refreshing approach to decorating. It is widely praised as an essential design tome. 

Roberts structures the book as he would a project, taking readers step-by-step through the design process, beginning with the basic interior elements—floor plan and furniture layout, color palette and fabric schemes, furniture selection, and incorporation of objects and art—and moves on to architecture, landscaping, and gardens, showing the important interrelationship between interior and exterior design. Finally, he puts all of the pieces together, using his own country house, a nineteenth-century gentleman’s farm in the Hudson Valley, as an example.

Pierre Frey curtains, red leather chairs and Chinese export botanical watercolors fill the dining room of an American heiress on New York’s Park Avenue.

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His second book, “Notes on Decorating“, published in 2020 also by Vendome Press, further illustrates his refined and singular approach to designing interiors.

Markham Roberts startes by examing his working method, identifying the key elements of a project and explaining how he addresses them. He begins with his top priority-taking into account his clients’ point of view by interpreting their needs and reflecting their style, rather than imposing his own vision. In the process, he helps them focus and edit, respecting their wishes while making it work.

Other elements include establishing a sense of place, layering and embellishing to make spaces more personal and interesting. Acknowl­edging the need for practicality in the choice of materials, and doing the unexpected, from upholstering walls to mixing disparate materials and styles of furniture is also a step.

French brass wine coolers planted with orchids rest on 18th-century Chippendale candlestands outside the library of a home in Austin, Texas.
The walls of this Southampton media room are upholstered in a Carolina Irving fabric; the floor lamp is by Pierre Guariche.
The studio is outfitted with pieces he loves, including a metal-and-sheepskin armchair, an Arts and Crafts cabinet, a red Gerrit Rietveld ZIg-Zag chair, and a Thonet end table.

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The parchment cabinet in this Southampton living room holds a secret – a custom cocktail bar.

Known for his creativity and his ability to work in a wide variety of styles, Markham adeptly interprets his clients’ needs and wants to seamlessly reflect their style and not merely his own imprint.

Whether working on commercial projects or for private clients across the country and abroad, Markham infuses interiors with his sophisticated and personal touch, applying his knowledge and experience individually and specifically to each project.

A rattan pendant hangs overhead in Roberts’s carriage-house studio in Upstate New York. The round Milo Baughman chair is covered in a yellow Clarence House linen.

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