Sergio Mercado’s work is the consummation of contemporary elegance and timeless sophistication. His refined aesthetic has made an indelible impact on spaces like residential, hospitality, and commercial areas in New York City. Although this California-bred designer was primarily inspired in his early years with sleek modernism, Mercado’s signature style speaks in terms of understated luxury and serene living.
After several years of perfecting his skill under the tutelage of such well-known firms as BAMO, Inc. and Clodagh Design, he opened Sergio Mercado Design Studio. Nearly a decade has passed since then, yet he has not lost sight of creating spaces rich in texture as well as tranquil character. Le Interior Magazine spoke to him in the interview about design philosophy, inspiration, and what it takes to make interiors truly captivating.
What attracted you most towards the world of interior design? I’ve always had a strong leaning towards designing things, right from the time when I used to rearrange furniture in my parents’ house almost every other week. The funniest part was when my dad built me a clubhouse and I immediately decorated, that stuck to that building ever since. When I turned 16, my parents let me build my own room, which made me realize how much I appreciated the creation of fun spaces that were personal and intentional.
How would you describe your signature style? What people know of my work is that it is very sleek, always textural with a richness that exudes some calmness and serenity-my very belief is to create spaces livable as they are beautiful and very infused with just balance and materiality.
How have your design beliefs changed over the years? I have really more embraced that design has to be walled. It needs aesthetics, but most of all, it needs to be about whether or not a place provides life-enriching experiences. A house should be beautiful, but it should also be very easy to keep and incredibly livable.
How do you get clients to go out of their comfort zone? That would be setting fire to the passion. When I introduce big ideas with zest, clients feel my enthusiasm, so they want to consider something new. It becomes more about creating a vision that feels trustworthy and exciting.
What would you recommend to clients for investing in their houses? Well-designed limited-edition furnishings are always worthwhile investments. Furniture by Finn Juhl, Wendell Castle, or Sergio Rodrigues will certainly place superb character in a space while investing value. These are not just furniture items—they are statements of artistry.
Which names would you prefer to associate with?There are quite a number of them, but I can mention a few, which are Avenue Road for furniture, The Future Perfect for lighting; Rosemary Hallgarten for rugs and textiles; Salvatori and Boffi for bathroom fixtures and vanities. These names comprise fabulous craftsmanship and good design – things that make the difference in any space.
How do clients remain engaged while being shielded from decision fatigue?We decided very early on what direction to take. The best ideas come at the start of the process, so we put at least three ideas on the table from the outset to make sure everyone is clear. This way, it minimizes second guessing and keeps the journey exciting instead of overwhelming.
What, in your experience, are the elements clients struggle with most in the design process?Sofas and dining chairs are usually the biggest headaches. Scale is tricky, and comfort is very personal with each individual. Hence, we always advise our customers to try and sit on the seating options in order to find the ideal level.
How much do you normally offer your clients regarding gut renovations?Yes, most of the work is gut renovations. We enjoy dismantling everything to create a space-from wall to wall and to document every detail because it is what matches our vision to the vision of our client.
Are you motivating clients to invest in collectible pieces of design? Certainly, we quite often introduce our clients to the history of the designer, the inspiration behind the design, and the overall context of this piece within the larger scope of design when showing them limited-edition furniture. Considering much of our client base, they too like to visit design fairs like Salon of Art & Design or Design Miami to really be within the fold of the collectible within the furniture world.
Do you notice clients getting more daring over time?Definitely. With a repeat client, there is a certain level of trust, which allows for more flexibility by the designer. Having experienced the kind of magic that thoughtful design can create in their homes, they are more likely to be bold and to put the unexpected again in any future projects.
Sergio Mercado is the host of some of the most exquisite interiors that this industry can boast about, with attention to detail and uncompromising dedication to the craft. He is probably distinguished for bringing sophistication on one level and livability on the other-because each project is thus an experience, not merely a space.