“A lot of designers say they treat each space as a blank canvas,” designer and architect Mark Lavender remarks, offering a gentle shake of his head. “But I disagree — no space is truly blank. There are always elements: doorways, views to other rooms, windows opening to the outside. All of these inform how we approach layout and design.”
For Mark, design is always rooted in context, noting views and natural surroundings can become a foundation of a design concept. “It’s not about imposing a style; it’s about responding to the space and making it come alive,” he adds.
One such space came with an unconventional request. “I worked on a house with a 70s vibe—exposed brick, dark beams and an indoor pool. My very elegant client asked to add a trapeze above the water. She’d recently begun lessons and wanted to practice at home, jumping straight into the pool. Next thing you know, we are bringing in a rigging company, designing a system to lower and raise the trapeze with the push of a button. But my concern was safety. So, we devised a raft system: she’d sit on a raft, pulled out by her house manager, then step onto the trapeze.”
With more than 35 years of architecture and design expertise, Mark brings skill and vision to every project. Born in Western Kentucky, Mark studied architecture at University of Kentucky in Lexington. “Most of the projects we designed in college were institutional buildings with an occasional residential project. I guess I suppressed my love of residential architecture during this period and gravitated towards those institutional buildings,” Mark recalls.
Post college, he moved to Chicago working with architecture firms, VOA Associates and HOK, managing large scale institutional projects, globally. He had an opportunity to work for a family in their personal development office. “They were well known philanthropists who developed residential and cultural buildings in Chicago's depressed neighborhoods, frequently renovating historic and culturally significant properties. They also began purchasing historic residences and converting them to luxurious bed and breakfasts – a source of revenue that allowed these beautiful old homes to be meticulously restored and given a new life,” he explains. “This work reawakened my love of residential architecture and interior design. As I became more involved, I developed the usual “I can do a better job than the people we hired” mentality…the curse of an architect, “ he laughs. “I convinced them to let me take on the interior designer role for a personal home they were renovating in the North Shore suburb of Winnetka.” Soon after, M. Lavender Interiors was born.
Mark found his way to Memphis after the pandemic and some particularly cold Chicago winters. “My partner and I are both from the South and always talked about moving back. Upon visiting Memphis, we fell in love with the neighborhoods and especially the people,” he says.
While most of his projects tend to be full home renovations, Mark still finds time for commercial projects. His team is currently working on the renovation and restoration of a landmark residential high rise in a large American city.
“We have a very refined process that we utilize on every project, no matter the size, that facilitates success. We believe our methodical approach provides assurances to the client. Our process and experience allow us to remain calm under pressure and provide leadership to the project team should issues arise. I strongly believe my architectural skills and education enhance our designs by incorporating items that work spatially and volumetrically,” says Mark.
Mark describes his overall aesthetic as British Empire. His designs marry the whimsey and tradition of English design with the exotic nature of Asian and Latin American design. Mark expertly plans for scale and proportion in design elements and architectural details. His spaces are layered with carefully curated hues, textures and patterns.
Yet, he often encounters a common concern: does too much color and pattern make a design too busy, too distracting? “When done correctly, it results in a beautiful, harmonious environment,” he affirms. “Not everything has to be the ‘star’. With the right balance, color and pattern can serve as the perfect supporting cast.”
“Color enhances not just a space, but the people within it,” he explains. “It can improve complexion, uplift outlook and influence mood—these are vital ingredients in a home that truly feels alive.”
For Mark, the key lies in moderation and thoughtful pairing. “Nothing is more jarring to me than walking into a home that’s all off-white with one or two bright-colored furniture pieces,” he says with a hint of a smile. “I often wonder, what’s the reasoning behind such a dominant, strong color in a space that’s otherwise neutral? I believe using complementary hues creates a more cohesive and sophisticated look—inviting the eye to explore rather than be overwhelmed.”
He emphasizes that the goal is for spaces to look collected rather than brand new and shiny. “We want our projects to feel like they’ve developed over time,” he says. “A room should reflect the homeowner’s lifestyle and personality—something that’s been curated and layered, not assembled overnight.”
Mark often describes the feeling they aim for as “like a well-loved sweater”—offering comfort and happiness after a long day of work or play. “Clients should love their spaces and find a sense of refuge in them,” he shares. “That’s really the heart of good design—creating environments that wrap you in familiarity and joy.”
Does too much color and pattern make a design too busy, too distracting? “When done correctly, it results in a beautiful, harmonious environment. Not everything has to be the ‘star’. With the right balance, color and pattern can serve as the perfect supporting cast.”