Q&A with Jeffrey Alan Marks

Experiencing a space designed by Jeffrey Alan Marks is to enter into a world of tranquillity. His interiors are renowned for their laid-back luxury aesthetic, offering a refined finish and a relaxed feel.

We sat down with Marks to discuss his design roots, penchant for the sea and the journey of creating his first collection for The Rug Company.

You’ve reimagined spaces from London townhouses to Malibu beach compounds; how would you describe your aesthetic?

My aesthetic is grounded firmly from my time spent going to school and working in England, yet my Southern California roots give my work a more organic, laid-back casual quality that makes you feel immediately at ease.

Your collection is entitled Coastal Threads; what draws you to coastal design?

I live between both coasts, very close to the ocean. I always start my mornings with a walk on the beach and perhaps a jump in the water, depending on the time of year! I wanted my collection to be an extension of those walks in a very calm, watery way.

Tell us which environments you think these rugs are best placed.

I immediately envision the rugs in a beach house, yet I think that the graphics would also translate to a big country house or set the tone for a city flat.

Does the nature of the project influence your approach to styling rugs?

I always start a new construction job with a rug, setting the pace of where the interiors are heading, but I also love to bring a rug in at the end of a decorating project. I don’t think there is any right or wrong rule, yet I always feel a rug grounds the room and gives it importance.

How has your style and design approach been translated into this collection?

I think we nailed it! The rugs are so easy to incorporate - they are powerful yet calm and feel like an old friend that, simply said, anchors a room perfectly.