Meet Mark Haynes of Mark Design in Englewood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Haynes.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Mark. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My design career started early at the age of 10 while living in the wilds of West Texas. A family friend built me a 7×7-foot deer blind that I turned into a fort. I loved being there. There was a sense of warmth and a feeling of security that came with the solitude. I ate, played and, to my mom’s dismay, even slept out there sometimes.

I “borrowed” change from my mom’s purse and my dad’s coin jar and perused garage sales for dishes, drapes, chairs, lighting…anything that would make my fort feel more like home. When I finally ran out of change, I browsed back alleys for discarded items and garage sale leftovers.

THE FORT GREW TO FIVE ROOMS.
But when I started a second story, the neighbors grew concerned, and that was the end of the fun. I reluctantly disassembled the fort.

Fast forward many years, I see now that this fort was the beginning of a life full of creative pursuits. I started my career in advertising, working on campaigns for some of the biggest brands in the U.S. After 15 years, I woke up one day and realized my passion for the ad business was gone.

Not quite sure of what I wanted to come next, I took a month sabbatical driving throughout Mexico to reflect on the next chapter of my career . My mind kept returning to that fort. There was so much joy during that time in my life, and I realized quickly that I wanted to translate that same joy into my work.

I enrolled in design school in Santa Fe and worked with a firm for six years, learning all of the trade practices, systems and secrets. At 47, I had gone from the corner office of a big ad agency, to an intern working with great designers who were much younger than me. Needless to say, it was a shock to the system, but the time spent there was extremely valuable to my growth as a designer and I am very grateful for the experience.

In 2012, my partner Kevin and I moved to Denver where I decided to take the leap and open my own firm, even though I only had one small carry over client from Santa Fe and knew no one in town.

Looking back, I realize that my whole life was leading to interior design, and the only thing I regret is not starting sooner. That said, all of my life experiences play a big role in my approach to the work. All of the systems I learned in the advertising world helped me create streamlined operations for my design clients. All of that time spent in the deer blind, established a space for my young mind to be creative.

Today, I am thrilled that I get to spend every day doing what I love, and helping others to feel as comfortable, secure and inspired as I did sitting in my little fort in West Texas.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has been a pretty smooth road. When I moved to Denver and started Mark Design I didn’t have any clients. I just begin networking and attending as many design related events that I could and eventually started getting clients. Once I started working with local Denver clients and started getting positive reviews about working with me, my design business continued to grow.

In recent year’s, the market has become more competitive given all the people that are moving to Denver. It’s important to always look for new ways to reach potential clients in a cost-effective manner.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Mark Design – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Mark Design is a full-service boutique interior design firm that specializes in residential interior design. Because of this, I have a very hands-on approach to working with my clients on projects.

Every designer will tell you that they pay close attention to design details, but just as important is to pay close attention to the day-to-day processes and procedures that need to be followed on every project, no matter the size. Mark Design is known for our passion for these details, and our homeowners have consistently praised us for our follow through. This sets us apart from our competition.

Last year, we won The Colorado ASID Crystal Award for the best bathroom remodel in the state. We were up against some very strong competition and our bathroom wasn’t that large compared to some of the other master bathroom projects in Vail and Aspen. I think we won the award because the previous bathroom wasn’t at all functional and with some high-level space planning, improved lighting, high-end finishes and the use functional cabinetry we made the space work really well for the client.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Denver. It’s vibrant and energetic and on a major growth pattern which is great for my industry. Everyone wants to be here. The flip side of that is all the road construction and sometimes the lack planning and architecture and design consideration on new construction projects throughout the city.

Contact Info:

• Address: 3149 S. Broadway, Ste 1
  Englewood, Colorado 80113.
  (5 minute drive South of the Denver Design District)
• Website: markdesignfirm.com
• Phone: 720-465-9490
• Email: mark@markdesignfirm.com
• Instagram: #markdesignllc
• Facebook: @markdesignfirm

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