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View All PostsJeffrey Alan Marks
Only Good Clients
Jeffrey explains the ideal client/decorator relationship and says what he thinks his castmates' talents are.
Jul 19, 2011As designers, decorators, and architects, we all rely on our relationship with a client or an investor to allow us to bring our vision to life. How we bring it to life depends on the client's willingness to collaborate, or as the case may be, to relinquish control and let the professionals do what they do best. The creator/client relationship is the most important factor in the creation of any great work. Stories of creators and their clients go back to the beginning of architecture and design. The story behind the construction of the Taj Mahal goes that the "client" Shah Jahan hired the architect to build his finest work and upon completion of the project the Shah cut off the architects hands so he could never work again. The work we do relies entirely on our clients beneficence or compliance.
My job as a decorator is to design my clients' dream homes, restaurants, and hotels, and, speaking from over a quarter of a century in the industry, I can honestly say the bulk of the design that I have been involved in that does not work is because the client got an idea in their mind of what they wanted or what they thought would work, and I gave in to their vision rather than pushing harder for my own. The reality is you have to pick you battles -- and on any project there are always a number of them. I think that the best thing you can do when designing a project is find someone who’s work you really love and admire and then let them take the reigns. It not only makes the process much less stressful, but the finished product is always a far greater success.
Thanks for watching.
JAM.
Jeffery, I really enjoyed watching you and Ross all season. I love your aesthetic and would love to see it in print. Please put out a book! Your #1 Fan! Martha
I absolutely love this show and each of the cast members brings something unique and amazing. This is my new favorite show on Bravo. My sister and I message eachother throughout the entire show because we love the talent and personality each cast member has.
This blog was really interesting. It is great to read the perspective of an artist on their relationship with their clients.
I hope you all come back for another season soon!
P.S. Jeffrey your house is beautiful! (so is your adorable pup)
The restaurant really is so beautiful, and I can't express how much I as an armchair decorator loved this whole series. Whomever created the show gathered such amicable, highly original, and entertaining decorator people. I also learned a lot about good stuff, proportion and people. Now I am lost w/o it. ...P:( :))
Absolutely have fallen in love with this show & hope it returns for another season. REFRESHING to see stars in their own right getting along & supporting each other versus the contstant snarky remarks & backstabbing on the Housewives. Kudos to Bravo for bringing something "chic & smart" to the masses. Love all the decorators.....!
Loved the show!!!!!!!!!!!! The inside of Hungry Cat was FAB - the outside was UGLY! I know you had NOTHING to do w the outside - thank god they had you for the inside!
PS - your house looks AMAZING!!
I just love everything about Mary.She is smart ,sassy ,and beautiful .I only wish she was on the east coast so that I could show her some love . She is a rare find.
Nicely said!!! I love love MDD---all talented people who lift each other up. You are all successful already before you joined Bravo. I don't need to have to hear a new album from any of you, or buy jewelry or handbags or watch you try too hard to become a model or buy cosmetics, all while trying to push the other housewives down. What a wonderful wonderful change for us Bravo fans. Hope to see you sooner because I truly enjoyed each and every show!!!!
you and ross make the cutest couple ever and you have great taste in men because ross is the whole package.
What an enjoyable and informative first season. We loved it. Is there going to be a Season 2.?
Jeffrey, you are amazing. We have saeson one in New Zealand now and it is fantastic. The other designers are wonderful but Jeffrey .... well what can I say and not only just a good designer.
Well said! As a designer just starting my own business, I have learned so much by watching all of you in action this season.
"I can honestly say the bulk of the design that I have been involved in that does not work is because the client got an idea in their mind of what they wanted or what they thought would work, and I gave in to their vision rather than pushing harder for my own."
This one is going down in my notebook of wisdom & I'll refer to it always!
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