From Cleveland native to Los Angeles celebrity designer, Mark Brunetz has carved out a name for himself in interior design and reality television.  An expert at conveying design principles to a broad television audience, Mark was recently honored with an Emmy® Award as the co-host of Clean House on the Style Network.  

At the creative helm of his LA-based design company, Mark’s body of work has been seen in over 30 countries worldwide.  With a strong focus on aesthetics and functionality, Mark has collaborated with Hollywood’s A-list, launched an eponymous line of home furnishings on the Home Shopping Network and penned his first book Take the U Out of Clutter which was nominated for Best Organizing Book in 2013.

An avid speaker on design and social impact, Mark currently serves as the Spokesperson for the International Design Guild’s Designer Program and is the face of Design For a Difference; a national design contest benefiting local charities throughout the U.S. (www.markbrunetz.com)

Now, without further ado, I introduce to y’all the VIP’s awesome interview with the fabulously acclaimed celebrity designer Mark Brunetz.

Abby: “How many home show events do you speak at annually?”

Mark: “I do about five a year.”

Abby: “Fashion and home décor are a lot alike–there are classic and trendy pieces. What is one classic décor item that everyone should have in his/her home?”

Mark: “I think fashion and interiors are incredibly entwined. They drive each other….I have noticed that [interior] design is certainly inspired by what comes down the runway….When you are building an outfit or a wardrobe, you buy some very timeless pieces like the pencil skirt or the little black dress, and I think the same should go for the home–when it comes to a larger investment piece like a sofa and a bed–that is where you want to go timeless. You do not want to buy trendy items on more expensive things. Don’t get the really cool, funky sofa. Do get something that is a little bit more classic. You want to choose items that have great bones, a great silhouette–so that way if you want to do something funky a year later, you can change out your home décor to fit that style without having to purchase all new furniture…definitely invest in timeless pieces when it comes to your bigger, more expensive pieces.”

Abby: “Describe your personal fashion and interior style.”

Mark: “I am incredibly eclectic. What drives me are things that I love. People ask me all the time what’s my style, or what are the hot trends– but I say the trend right now is to not follow the trends. For me, I have a collection of periods in style. I don’t believe a person can be defined by one period of style. We are three dimensional people so we might love something that is Greco-Roman-Classical, and then we might find a contemporary lamp we like. I believe that once all of that is put together–it creates a mosaic much like a human being, and you get to see the full dimension of who people are. In my interiors and in my fashion, I love mixing and matching things. Overtime, I have been known to have great style and great homes, and I think that is because I have followed my instincts.”

Abby: “What is a good splurge item for the home?”

Mark: “Definitely the sofa and definitely the bed. Those are the two areas that I would say to invest a little bit more money in. Buy a really well-made sofa that you are going to have for twenty years. You can also have it [the sofa] reupholstered or throw new pillows on it. Invest in a really good bed–not only a mattress, but a good foundation. You know, we spend a third of our life sleeping…well, I wish I would have spent a third, but the truth is you have to get a good night’s sleep–so splurge on a good quality bed. I love collecting art, so if you find a piece that you love…BUY IT! It does not matter if it is expensive, because before you know it–you will have a collection of really great pieces.”

Abby: “I am a fashionista with a lot of shoes and jewelry. What are some easy ways to organize these things in my closet?”

Mark: “In the area of shoes, make sure you only keep the shoes you are actually wearing. I like to put shoes in clear containers so that you can actually see the shoes. If you don’t have clear shoe boxes, you can always take a picture of the shoes and put labels on the boxes so that you know what shoes you actually have. You should never have to dig to find the shoes you are looking for. As far as jewelry, one of the things I have done is take really inexpensive bowls and put them in the top drawer of a dresser–instead of going out and buying an organizer.”

To learn more about Mark Brunetz and his spectacular accomplishments as not only a designer but also as an Emmy Award winning co-host, please visit www.markbrunetz.com.

Follow Mark Brunetz via social media to keep up with his latest projects and special events!

Facebook: click here.

Twitter: click here.

Check out Mark Brunetz’s book Take the U Out of Clutter!

“This may not be the first book you’ve read about clutter, but it will be your last.”

To purchase a personalized, autographed copy of Mark’s book, please click here.

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn