Mark McDowell for John Richard

 I got an early gift this morning when John Richard posted the video that was made during High Point Market with one of my favorite product designers, Mark McDowell. 

 

If you haven’t had a chance to see the video, be sure to take a few minutes and watch it as well as the other videos made which include other designers in the John Richard Showroom.  

 

 

Now let’s discuss Mark McDowell who I think is amazing.  If you are not familiar with Mark, his products range in looks from MidCentury Mod to what I like to coin “Organic Glam.”  Mark is honestly an artist first and a product designer second.  I met Mark a few markets ago and had the opportunity to have lunch with him and his wife, Kelly.  We all decided that it was probably best that Mark and I limit our exposure to one another because we wouldn’t work at all if together.  We would be playmates.  Our time together would totally be creative play time because we enjoy the same passions.  Mark and I share a love of nature.  Sticks, stones, geodes, and other items found in nature are as precious to us as beautiful jewelry.  The calm, peaceful Zen found in nature lures our desires to create.

 

I wanted to share some of my favorite pieces from Mark’s collection with John Richard, as well as give you an inside view of the man, whom I think you will fall instantly in love with as I have.

Meet Mark McDowell, artist and designer extraordinaire.

This talented man is down to earth, has a great sense of humor and is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.  His skill, product design knowledge, and talent know no boundaries.  

 

When I met Mark during High Point Market in the John Richard showroom, I asked him to pose by this chest because his attire worked so well with the color story.  We all had a good little laugh when I was told these are some of the few pieces in the showroom that were not designed by Mark.   He good-naturedly continued to pose and didn’t say a word about it.  It was Sarah Young, Marketing Director for John Richard who actually told me.  Mark laughed and said, “hey I don’t mind, let’s do this.”  I quickly knew Mark a rare breed, a product designer who was comfortable in his own skin and not ruled by his ego.

 

As we continued to work through the showroom and chat about Mark’s designs, I was able to see his thoughtful approach, passion for design and functionality as hallmark elements in all of his work.

Mark designs furniture with the greatest attention to detail.  Many times he chooses to custom design hardware for his furniture like the twig hardware above.  John Richard should start selling the hardware too, don’t you?  Sign me up!

 

Let’s take a look at some of Mark’s stunning designs…