Mark Mariani, Greenwich Real Estate Developer, on the Latest Trends in Home Design
Mark Mariani has been involved in building homes for more than 40 years. Now a premier property developer in Greenwich, Connecticut, and the Founder of Mark Mariani, Inc., his decades of experience bring modern design trends to life. With an old-school work ethic that is a rarity in today’s world and a classic sensibility for embracing nature in his home designs, Mariani is well-equipped to meet his clients’ current expectations.
Although Mariani has spent many decades in Greenwich (his children were born and grew up there), he was born in the Bronx and came of age in nearby Armonk, New York. His teenage years were spent appreciating the simple beauty of the outdoors and learning the ins and outs of construction and landscaping. He learned trades to help support his family, but by age 21, his skills had surpassed those of his employers, and he founded his own company. He has built some of Greenwich’s most opulent homes in the years since. He has kept pace with changes in the marketplace as a necessity while consistently celebrating and showcasing the natural world in his work.
Although trends have come and gone many times since Mariani started his business, he stays abreast of changes by networking extensively in his field and regularly connecting with local real estate agents. As an industry expert, he knows what works in 2023.
Design Trends on the Rise
Mariani is quick to point out that no matter what is “trending,” his ultimate goal as a developer is to create a fully functional space for the individual(s) living in it. Trends may come and go, but focusing on each client and what “impactful statement” they want to make about themselves is the guide for his design.
“It is the relationship between elements, rather than a collection of things that exist together, that is the trend, with an emphasis on spaces having a soul and being in harmony,” he says.
As he assembles each element of a project, from rooms to trees to fixtures, Mariani intends to add only what is missing and nothing more. The unnecessary additions are what create clutter.
“Our design reflects suburban design but in a new and modern way…uninterrupted views and site lines, both within the home and with the outside, create a seamless buffer between the inside and the outside world,” Mariani explains. “Clean lines are a strong present trend. Shades of color, rather than many colors, are used in home design. The intention is to highlight the form in the architectural design or an important personal item to the client (such as a piece of art), which then becomes impactful and long-lasting.”
A big fan of marrying the exterior design with the interior, Mariani strives to make the exterior multifunctional for his clients. He is very intentional with his homes’ directions, considering when and where the light will penetrate the interior. With Mariani’s extensive landscaping experience, the outdoors is just as exquisite as the indoors and is meant to be seen and enjoyed every season.
Another trend Mariani is seeing is recycling materials and reusing existing pieces in a new way. Repurposing what is found on-site creates an element of sustainability while blending traditional design elements with more modern preferences. In many cases, landscaping and plantings are selected for their aesthetic qualities, to withstand climate changes, and to save water.
Sustainability is a Trend Unto Itself
These days, aesthetics are not the sole driver of design choices; clients want energy-efficient and sustainable homes. Those strategically placed homes that flood kitchens and offices with morning sunlight also reduce the amount of electricity used.
Mariani is also accustomed to adding solar panels, extensive ventilation systems that funnel air in and out of homes, and sensors that maintain specific temperatures. He is well-versed in the elements of sustainability that his clients expect to see.
Mark Mariani – “Greenwich is a Beautiful Place to Live and Work.”
For Mark Mariani, Greenwich, with its convenient drive to New York City, idyllic countryside, and large plots, is a wonderful place to live and work.
“The topography is inspiring and beautiful,” he says. “I’ve been able to enhance, explore, and experience a variety of landscape and residential design opportunities.”
Living in Greenwich has created an extraordinary opportunity for Mariani’s children, both educationally and socially, giving them access to the best of everything. Because so many of his neighbors lead high-profile public lives, they all return to Greenwich for some much-needed quiet. This allows everyone to be fully engaged in the community and maintain a private family life.
Mark Mariani is proud to call Greenwich home, where he is helping to define and build the next generation of manor homes dotting the picturesque rolling hills. His work is challenging but fulfilling as he provides clients with modern design elements in a classic and historically significant town.
The times may change, but Mariani stays tuned in to today’s trends. One thing that will never go out of style is a developer who listens to his clients and creates spaces that welcome and inspire.
Jesse Pitts has been with the Global Banking & Finance Review since 2016, serving in various capacities, including Graphic Designer, Content Publisher, and Editorial Assistant. As the sole graphic designer for the company, Jesse plays a crucial role in shaping the visual identity of Global Banking & Finance Review. Additionally, Jesse manages the publishing of content across multiple platforms, including Global Banking & Finance Review, Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune.