Marco Zamora

This transcription was made in part by an automated service, in some cases it may contain errors. 

Marco: [00:00:00] Well, I have seen this like dream and passion, you know, my whole life and like having, you know, people who are in the industry see it as well, really kind of gave me the kind of like the little nudge and the courage to, okay. Let's take the jump, let's take the leap, and let's go full force into it.

Jeremiah: Welcome back to Ideas of Order, a California Closets podcast dedicated to answering the question, What does home mean to you? I'll be connecting with friends and creators to talk about the memories and the practices that mean the most to us, and the spaces that have held us through it all. I'm Jeremiah Brint and today I am thrilled to introduce a talent who has quickly become a force in the design community.

His dynamic social media presence and ingenious home decor projects instantly captured the attention of millions across Instagram and TikTok. He brings a thoughtful and approachable perspective to everything that he does. Please join me [00:01:00] in welcoming Marco Zamora. Well

thank you for doing this. I'm so excited. I'm a big fan of yours.

Marco: Thank you. Likewise. Yeah, it's such an honor to be here for sure.

Jeremiah: So where are you from, originally?

Marco: Yeah, uh, from a lot of different places. So, um, yeah, I was born up in Northern California in Santa Rosa. Then we moved to a different place, still in the Bay Area.

And then from there we made our trek over to Central California. So lived in Galt and then Algarve. Oh, I lived in Modesto. Okay. Yeah.

Jeremiah: Neighbors. Yeah, I grew up in Modesto. So I know the Central Valley very well. And Santa Rosa was like beautiful compared to where we

Marco: were. Super beautiful, wine country.

Jeremiah: And where's your family now?

Yeah.

Marco: So then from there we moved north of Sacramento. So we're up in close to like Marysville.

Jeremiah: Oh yeah. Beautiful. Yeah. It's so pretty. [00:02:00]

Marco: Yeah. Very, very flat.

Jeremiah: Yeah. What was, um, home like growing up for you?

Marco: I think, yeah, it was kind of a lot of things for me because I did move a lot. You know, it was the environments are kind of always changing.

Um, both my parents were born in Mexico and then immigrated to the U S. So I think. For me, my sister and I, and my family, I think there was a lot of like tradition and culture growing up. Um, and in the Mexican culture, there's a lot, I think one of the like most important things is family. And I think that that's what really kind of grounded me and.

Gave me a lot of kind of like my principles and what I live life with. Um, it was really great.

Jeremiah: Where in Mexico are your parents from?

Marco: So my dad's from Michoacan and my mom's from Jalisco. Um, so two neighboring states in Mexico.

Jeremiah: I love Jalisco.

Marco: Oh my God. Yeah. So beautiful. Yeah.

Jeremiah: How do you think that the culture has like influenced the way you lived growing up?

Because obviously you've kind [00:03:00] of created. An entire life for yourself, which I want to get into, but I'm always fascinated with like where people's journey began with home and like what home represented for them growing up. Like, do you feel like your culture had a big influence in design and the way you lived growing up?

Marco: So, yeah, I would definitely say so. I mean, growing up, I think since I was very young, you know, my parents always, you know, I w I was taught that like family is number one, you know, you're there forever and I always saw, you know, my parents. For one, you know, they'r individuals that I know t care of us 24 7 um, takin Seeing that dynamic, I think that's kind of what like makes me who I am now.

Um, I think seeing that, um, and just seeing all of the, you know, like the hard work and effort that my parents put in, you know, my dad, um, was first growing when he first moved to the States, he was working out in the fields and then, [00:04:00] um, he comes from a family of six and, um, you know, he, they knew that, you know, education was the key to success and that's how, you know, they're able to really like.

Break through that. And he, you know, helped put all of his siblings through college first, and then he ended up getting his degree as well. And, um, you know, now him and his siblings support their parents. And, and I think really it's just all about family. Um, so for me as well, I think, um, you know, when it comes to like following my dreams and the legacy that I want to live or leave is, is really just, you know, to be able to.

Give back to my family, my parents, my, my sister, and also just to the, you know, the Latino community as well.

Jeremiah: What did they think of the career that you're kind of carving out for yourself right now? It's like, did they get a kick out of it? Are they like, what the hell is this? You know, or like how, what do they think about it?

Marco: Yeah. I mean, they initially, [00:05:00] they did not understand anything of what I was doing. It's just like in the world of social media, but you know. I'm very happy and blessed that my parents, you know, regardless of our you know, financial situa growing up, they always s creative endeavors. So, y was buying me a paint pal little camera to shoot vi they always motivated me

That naturally led me to, to really like be able to feel like I could express myself creatively. Um, I think contrary to that though, as well, you know, I think with, uh, you know, me being first generation here in the U S um, and I think being very young, you know, instilled that like, Hey, the way that you succeed is, you know, you go to college, get an engineering degree.

Get a full time job, get a 401k, retire. And yep, you made it

Jeremiah: [00:06:00] stability. Yeah.

Marco: Stability totally. So, uh, so for me it was, it always felt like this, you know, constant battle of creativity and R is kind of something more like a passion, you know, something that I do on the side, but at the end of the day, you know, I want to be.

Uh, an engineer or an architect, uh, of course, and I think that that struggle internal struggle was kind of always there for me. Um, and funny enough, when it came time to choosing college, um, it became very evident and it really became a decision for me. So, um, When I applied to all my schools, I applied for architecture.

I've always, since I was young, I don't think I ever wanted to be like a firefighter, you know, an astronaut. Like I always Wanted to be an architect. Um, I remember, yeah, when I was young, you know, we would tour homes and, or model homes and I would felt so inspired by them and just like seeing all the different layouts.[00:07:00]

And it felt like a maze. It felt like a, yeah, just like a really cool place. Cool experience. And I wanted to be a part of that. So I had applied to all my schools for architecture and I had gone into my dream school, which at that time was Berkeley. Um, and I was signed up, ready to go. You know, I feel like there's a big pull up there in Northern California.

Jeremiah: Yeah. Berkeley is like the Holy grail.

Marco: The Holy grail. Yeah. So it was, it was Berkeley for architecture and I was like, I made it, you know, um, and then from there I got this really exciting, but then also made things challenging call from Cal State Long Beach that they were offering a full ride scholarship for, um, the valedictorians throughout the state of California.

It's a program called the President Scholars Scholarship, and every year they select 25 valedictorians in the state of California to have the scholarship, and it, you know, covers tuition, housing, food, Everything. But one of the con side of that was that they didn't have architecture there. For me, it became this decision [00:08:00] point of following my, my dream career of architecture, but obviously having to pay for college on myself at Berkeley or, you know, going to Cal State Long Beach that, you know, it was completely covered, but, you know, wasn't necessarily my dream.

Um, the, the major that I was going to go for was civil engineering. But yet again, offered stability,

Jeremiah: the sensible, stable. So did you finish the whole, the finish for your degree and everything? You stayed the whole time.

Marco: Yeah, I stayed the whole time. Yeah. So, um, and I mean, I, I, I feel, yeah, I mean, I love math growing up.

I love school. We do not share

Jeremiah: that in common, Marco. We share a lot of things in common. But love of math is not on the top of the list. Wait, can I ask you, is there somebody in the family that's super creative? Or mom and dad, are either of them really creative? Like, where does this stem from, your creativity?

Marco: Yeah, honestly, not really. You know, I think No. I'm gonna tell them you said that.

Jeremiah: Yeah. Make sure your mom's going to be [00:09:00] furious that you just said she's no, no,

Marco: no, no. I promise. Yeah. And honestly, like not really anyone in my close circle was creative nor like a business owner. So I feel like it kind of, you know, right now I definitely feel like I'm kind of going to uncharted territories and waters.

Um, uh, but yeah, I think, um, I feel very lucky that my parents, I think kind of saw. The talent and like, just, you know, really wanted to like fuel me in that in, in any way that I wanted to explore it. Yeah,

Jeremiah: it's funny. There's something you mentioned, but we have in common, which is, you know, I grew up with no money.

One thing that we would do on the weekends is we would go look at model homes and I fantasize about the way people lived. And, you know, it was like, just this, I was like, who lives like this and with two bathrooms and who has, you know, and then like, I was like, I would fantasize about who the family would be.

I, I have to ask, like, is there a space that you look back, um, and remember as being like the first space that you walked into and you're like, [00:10:00] holy shit, this is fantastic. Like, this is gorgeous. Like, was there a space when you look back that really made, um, an imprint on you? Um,

Marco: I mean, I think creatively, I kind of happened a little later in life.

I want to say, I

Jeremiah: think,

Marco: yeah, I mean, I think growing up, you know, there wasn't, especially up in like kind of central California, there's not too much affluence, a lot of very cookie cutter homes, there's a lot of cows. Totally. So, so yeah, I mean, I think. Honestly, more recently, about, um, two years ago, which is actually when, right when I had left my corporate job and also started this journey of interior design, um, I took a trip to Mexico city and I visited Luis Barragan's home.

Um, so he's a famous Mexican architect,

Jeremiah: engineer, interior

Marco: designer,

Jeremiah: prolific architect. Yeah.

Marco: Oh yeah. And honestly, like when I [00:11:00] visited his home, it just transported me to this whole other world. Like I had never seen anything like it. Um, and I think what was super special to me was that, you know, for me, I think also like, you know, being Mexican.

Also in like central California, kind of more of the Northern side where it's predominantly white. Um, I think I hadn't really seen a lot of like influences in the creative world or interior design or architecture world. So, um, so really like seeing his work and also funny enough, I found out that he would initially was a civil engineer.

So was a civil engineer. And then, yup, and then went back to school for architecture, became an incredibly talented architect, interior designer. And, um, yeah, I think just at that like pivotal moment in my life, being there and just seeing like what he created, which is insane that, you know, he designed this years ago, yet it's still [00:12:00] so relevant and timeless, like to this day, um, was just like, so inspiring and.

Yeah.

Jeremiah: Was that before or after you kind of decided to make the switch from, you know, what you went from civil engineering to get into design? Like, what was, was there a specific moment that made you kind of transition? And because it's a big shift.

Marco: Totally. Yeah. So when I was applying to art internships, I first worked at a pipeline company, and then from there, which is not the most glamorous, not the most fun.

But, um, from there, that opportunity landed me an internship with Disney. So, they're at Disneyland Park in Anaheim. So, I, uh, Interned there for two years while I was still in school after that. I got hired on full time. Wow Engineering. Yeah, did you like it? Oh my god. I loved it. I genuinely thought I was like, oh my god.

This is my dream That's wild. Yeah, I and that you know, honestly, I was never been a [00:13:00] big Disney guy. I think growing up I never really

Jeremiah: We

Marco: didn't really afford it. So like, I think we, I went once when I was young, but it wasn't, especially up in Northern California, it's a bit of a drive, so it wasn't a big pull for me.

Um, but being there, you know, I got to see how, you know, the whole, yeah. Orchestra of like how happens the behind the scenes. And at that point, I mean, for me, it was like, Oh my God, this is incredible. And I got to work with so many artists and, um, you know, designers and really just see how. This iconic place is made and function.

How it

Jeremiah: runs. It's insane.

Marco: How it runs. And, um, from there, you know, I was like, okay, I worked there for a total of five years, so two years intern, three years full time. Um, from there I wanted to kind of change up my career. So I went into the tech world. Um, so I worked for Amazon and during that transition, uh, that's when it gave me the opportunity to move to LA.[00:14:00]

In that journey, I was looking for apartments and I didn't really know what I was looking for. I kind of was just wanted a one bedroom apartment for myself. It was the first time that I would be living by myself and have my own space. Before that, it was always, you know, dorm rooms or roommates. And it's a big deal.

Yeah, it was a big, big deal for me. So, um, so I was searching, you know, all over LA. And eventually I found my spot and really that the last apartment that I lived in. So I think that's, that's where I first started my social media career. I recently just moved to a new apartment, but, um,

Jeremiah: Oh, I know which we're going to get into, but you have to explain to me.

So you move into this apartment. What makes you Begin to start to document things or to start engaging on social media. Like, why, where did it start from? Like, what was the impetus for that?

Marco: Yeah. I mean, you know, when I first moved into that apartment, it was all white, all white, but it was like a 1920s French [00:15:00] Normandy style building.

So it had a little bit of character and also been renovated. So the kitchen was like great, modern, the bathroom, modern stripped of all its character. To me, you know, I really saw it as just this canvas to create and kind of going back to like my roots of, you know, being an artist and painting and drawing, you know, I really, I saw it as just this blank slate and it was the first time that I really felt like I, I owned something.

I didn't own it because I was renting, but I felt like it was mine and I can make it anything that I wanted. Um, and I think with that, I, you know, naturally without recording anything, started decorating and, and really just like letting my, my mind. Dream up the space and, um, and from there, I think I posted one video of my space and that got a little bit of traction and, you know, this is all while, you know, still do my full time job.

I would do this, you know, [00:16:00] late hours at night, early in the morning. Um, but I, You know, posted got a little bit of traction. And then from there, I, you know, because I, I mean, all of the, everything about like architecture, interior design, it's all self taught, you know, a lot of hours of just like reading magazines, watching YouTube videos, um, kind of built, I built a lot of knowledge around it.

So I started doing videos of, you know, showing. All the cool things that I would buy. Um, kind of also doing instructional videos of like, you know, do this, don't do that. Um, and really just kind of like growing with it. And I think as soon as I saw that I kind of started to have something, that's when I really realized it's like, Oh my gosh, like this is my opportunity to really go back into my dream, which was always architecture, interior design.

Um, Really the artistic side of it all. Once I saw that there was traction in this and that [00:17:00] people really gravitated to what I did and, and what I was teaching and showing, I really realized that it's like, Oh my God, this is, this is my dream. And this is my opportunity to really follow my dream. And, um, from there, you know, it kept going and it really took off quickly and it got to an upper place where, um, you know, I started having, you know, So many different like management companies reaching out to, you know, like talent managers.

And I think for me, you know, I never, I never really saw this as a career, at least social media. And I think that at that moment, once I, I think it was almost close to like 20 different like talent managers reached out. All like within a span of a month, and, you know, I was having a bunch of different calls with them and I think at that point, you know, I think it was almost a little bit of like the validation that I needed the external validation that it's like, okay, well, I have seen this like dream and passion, you know.

My whole life and like, [00:18:00] you know, starting and doing it now, having, you know, people who are in the industry see it as well, really kind of gave me the kind of like the little nudge and the courage to, okay, let's take the jump, let's take the leap and let's go full force into it. And, um, yeah, so that happened about a year and a half ago when I left my.

My full-time job and, uh, since then have, you know, never looked back.

Jeremiah: It does have this beautiful rhythm to it though. It's like everything that you have done, everything that you've been through, you can see how it funnels into the way you create and what you're doing now. You can see the engineering component, you can see the digital component.

Do you like doing the digital component of it, of what you're creating, like the digital content and all of that? Do you enjoy it?

Marco: Oh, totally. Honestly, yeah. I feel like it's, you seem like you're having fun. It's so much fun. Every, like I, every day that I like start work, I'm like so excited because it's, it's a new project every single day and, and I really look at each video as its [00:19:00] own, its own project, its own, you know, oil painting.

I think a lot of times we, you know, you can create a beautiful art installation or beautiful, uh, design a room beautifully, but it's how you share it with the world. That's also, that's like a whole nother component to it. And I think for me, like as an artist, I, I really love Taking people through that storytelling and creating just like beautiful content.

I think that in itself is an art.

Jeremiah: I think connecting is also a huge art and you're the connective tissue between you and the people that are watching the videos is the testament to you and the way you create. And that's a whole nother art form.

How do you come up with your ideas? Are you like super organized and do you like map out your ideas? Are you a little bit more organic with your process? Like, how do you [00:20:00] decide what and how you're going to create?

Marco: Yeah. Um, so I have a, uh, I wouldn't say I'm the most organized. No, I think as a creative, there's a lot of, a little bit of chaos to it.

Um, but you know, I think. I mean, inspiration comes like at any time. So I have a little note on my phone, um, that anytime I have an idea, I write it out anytime that I have like a video idea or, you know, if it's like anything that I want to do, like artistically, I write it down and I always, I have it there.

So that way I can always go back to it, reference it, and then build up on it. That note is a complete mess. I'm sure someone read it and saw it. They're like a serial killer. Yeah. They're like, what are you, what is this? What are you talking about? Um, but to me, it makes sense. I get that. But yeah, it really.

That that's how and I mean, yeah, I get my ideas from anywhere, whether it's from like traveling [00:21:00] Instagram. I think now social media is just this like beautiful place to really get inspiration from. Yeah. And yeah, everywhere. Honestly,

Jeremiah: do you have a favorite project you've done so far? Because I saw the golden tree with 18, 000 crystals.

But like, do you have a favorite one that you've done so far? Yeah.

Marco: Um, I mean, I think that that project is very like relevant to now and I feel like my fingers still hurt from adding all those crystals.

Jeremiah: How long does it take you?

Marco: Oh my gosh, too much time. I mean, I really felt like I was venturing into different areas that I've never really explored.

You know, personally, I. We do. I've never worked with metal. So that in itself was a challenge. Um, never worked with crystals. I've never like sourced crystals and, you know, almost created this like light fixture. When I first had this idea last year, I made, um, also another art installation during Christmas.

It was the floating tree.

Jeremiah: That's a huge hit.

Marco: [00:22:00] Huge hit. Yeah. Um, uh, and with that tree, you know, that was a Christmas tree that was, uh, Fully suspended. Um, I used like seven different variations of pine. I partnered with the florist 'cause I, I really, that was my vision all along. It's like, I want this to be. a tree that incorporates florals.

So I partnered with a florist. We got so many different flowers and it was just this like beautiful installation. Um, but this year I was like, okay, I really want to challenge myself and do something a little different, something that's more hard or something that's more minimal. Um, But just like, yeah, very beautiful.

And in that I would create the, I created this design, but when I created the design, I would look at it and I'm like, I have no idea how I am going to create this and I have no idea how I'm going to create this. And, you know, I sat with it. It was like almost a few months [00:23:00] that I knew what I wanted to do, but I just didn't know how I was going to do it.

And I, you know, just dived into it. And I think another reason as well, I'm very busy. You know, I do a lot of different video and content, um, now taking on clients. So I have a project that I'm working on. Um, so as it is, I'm just, you know, I feel like we do a lot in different avenues. So I think we're, we're very busy.

So carving out time for these. You know, more like passion projects can be very difficult. Um, especially when it's a, when it's a Christmas tree made out of 18, 000 crystals and metal. And so I, I just ended up diving into it and, um, learned as I went. Um, There's a lot of trial and error, learning how to connect led wires, battery packs so that I could still, you know, suspend and spin without having it being plugged in, it was a, definitely a labor of love and just to see the impact and the reach that it's had, I think [00:24:00] right now it's almost at, I think in compilation, probably around like 50 million views, the whole series.

So, so yeah, it's just incredible to be able to share that with the world.

Jeremiah: I have to ask you, you know, I think what's interesting about you is that you, I mean there's a lot of interesting things about you, but you make out of reach styles accessible to anyone willing to get their hands dirty. I do not like the word DIY personally, but you are encouraging people to create beautiful things and the references I think are always really interesting.

What's your biggest piece of advice for people that are wanting to work on their own homes?

Marco: I honestly view every interior design project or every room that I work on almost like a painting, an oil painting. With oil painting, I mean, you can work slow, you know, lay one brush stroke. You can let the paint, like, rest, breathe for a few days, come back to it, work on it again, change it up.

And, I mean, I think that's honestly how designing a room is. Or a home is [00:25:00] you a lot of times, I mean, I, I almost never know what the end goal or the end picture is going to look like. Like, obviously I'll have concepts and ideas of like what I want to transform or make, but. It always sometimes ends up coming out different and I think it's important to let the project breathe, let yourself breathe, go slow and yeah, just really like let your, let your own creativity intuition guide you throughout the process because there is no right or wrong to any of it.

Jeremiah: Okay. So we have to go into the elephant in the room, which is you moved out of your beloved apartment and you're, it looks like the new apartment is fantastic. And then I think one of my favorite things that you did was the kind of the undoing of everything you had done in the previous apartment. I have to ask, did you get your security deposit back?

Marco: Oh, yep. Full security deposit back.

Jeremiah: Good for you. How's the new apartment?

Marco: Oh my gosh. It is so [00:26:00] magical. I, yeah, it's so magical. And I think that that's something that just like really inspires me, honestly, in the last apartment that I had, you know, I think, I just felt again, there's just like this magic to it.

And, um, when I moved into this place and when I was looking for a new place, I was like, Oh man, like it's kind of scary. I think for me that the last department that I was in, it felt. To me, it felt like it was my forever home. I honestly felt like I was going to live there for 10 years. And that's what I told myself in my head.

And it, I never envisioned myself moving out, which is kind of crazy to think of. But, um, I think with that. When it did come time to move, it was definitely scary. Um, and I think when I was searching for places, it was like, I don't know if that's the right fit or, you know, I don't like this, I don't like that.

And, um, yeah. And I think just, you know, kind of exploring and seeing, I eventually found this one and [00:27:00] when I, like, oh my gosh, this is like so many details to i there's, you know, cathed these like iron details. It's a beautiful space that's different and challenging from my last, my last spot, which was very, you know, minimal, clean, more French.

This is definitely, you know, Spanish revival. So it's a different, different challenge, different real house, but I love it.

Jeremiah: Do you have like a vision or like a mood board for the whole vibe that you want to create? I'm sure you do.

Marco: Of course,

Jeremiah: of

Marco: course, of course. I mean, I think, I think yes, but I also think that each room that's what I love about, you know, these older style buildings and architecture, you know, they're.

Each area feels more defined. So you're really able to experiment with the feeling of each room. And I think that that's what I loved about the space is that [00:28:00] each room had its own energy and its own feeling. So I think I really like want to honor that and also do that in the entire space. So the living room is going to feel completely different from the kitchen.

Jeremiah: What are you going to do first?

Marco: Oh, the kitchen for sure. The kitchen excites me a lot. Um, yeah, the kitchen is exciting. It's connected to this outdoor patio that has, it's like this, it's a funny space, honestly, it's this outdoor patio. That's fully covered that has this fireplace. But it also has these, you know, like really beautiful French doors and it feels like it's connected to the kitchen.

Um, but it's not. So I think to me, like my designers slash engineering brain, it's like, yeah, puffing up with so many ideas.

Jeremiah: Have you used the fireplace yet?

Marco: Oh yeah.

Jeremiah: I love a good fire. Yeah. Do you have any rituals when moving from one space to another that you practice or that you do to kind of [00:29:00] make yourself feel more at home and more connected?

Marco: It's an interesting topic because I, I feel like more recently over like the last three years, I learned that I don't exactly listen to music like most people, like I honestly don't listen to lyrics. I, I have like my favorite artists and my favorite song, and I probably could not sing any of the lyrics.

Um, so I feel like I've learned that I'm very much. You know, like I listened to music for like the sound and the energy and like the melody, the melody, the vibe that it gives off. And, um, yeah, I feel like over the last, you know, three, four years, like I've really gotten into more of like instrumental music and like, Classic, you know, like piano.

There's actually this, um, artist, his name is Gibran Alkoser. Um, and he's like this 21 year old pianist and creates like the most beautiful, like magical compositions. Having beautiful, like melodic [00:30:00] music inspires me. And, and I like to, to play it whenever I like want to be creative. Just kind of like dreaming up the environment, I guess.

And like really just appreciating.

Jeremiah: It's funny. I can't, even in my office, I can't really create without music on constantly in the background, like loud music. Like I need. Oh, no way. I need like a certain level of chaos around me at all times so that I can kind of create and feel. Like funnel in. It's very bizarre and annoying for everybody else, but I like it.

I like to have music around me. Do you have like a personal style that you would say, like, why would you describe your personal style?

Marco: It's definitely a mix of a lot. You know, I think I recent more recently I've been more drawn towards like Italian design. I think in my last apartment that I lived in, um, there was a lot of inspiration.

French interior design. Um, but I think, you know, I like to respect the architecture [00:31:00] of the building that I'm living in. And I think in that, like right now that I'm living in more like a Spanish building, it's like, okay, what, what works with that? And what can I learn? And how can I expand my palate and like what I like, you know?

And, um, I think right now, you know, I'm really into, you know, Art Nouveau, I think that era is just unreal. Like it was, yeah, wild. Like what was being created architecturally, you know, in furniture design and art, it really is iconic. And I think that that's something that I am super passionate about. I think I, you know, I, in my last apartment, I added a lot of.

Architectural details to my apartment . So I had a molding and you know, I, I did uh, DIY stained glass. Uh, so I found this like faux stained glass technique where you could really create any artistic creation on your windows. And it [00:32:00] looked,

Jeremiah: I know, I remember. It's amazing. I don't think it would turn out quite that way for me if I did it.

But you did it great. Okay, just saying

Marco: thank you. Yeah, so it's fun to kind of experiment and I think that's where I'm at right now. You know, I I really Architectural detail and really seeing how you can expand on like what's already there To me is a fun challenge and I think it really creates a beautiful base for a home as well

Jeremiah: I love that.

When do you feel the most at home?

Marco: Like I kind of yeah, I hit it early on I mean family has always been Such like a fundamental piece for me. I mean, my dream in creating all of this and like. You know, working, you know, as hard as I do, it's, it's, I mean, for me, it's to have the opportunity to give comfort to my parents and, um, my sister.

And, you know, as I've grown and continue to expand my business, you know, a year ago, we just hit our, our year [00:33:00] anniversary, you know, I brought on my sister. So she's, you know, working side by side with me. And I think that that's just a very important part to me, uh, family. And, um, definitely, definitely like when I feel most at home,

Jeremiah: you know, I think where you're at now, your age, what you've created, the momentum that you have behind you, the passion that you have on the clarity that you have creatively is so important.

And what's going to be. You know, I think the key to your success as you continue to grow and build, but I'm really excited for you. And I'm excited to kind of watch on the sidelines alongside everybody else and see kind of what you create. What is next for you? Obviously you just, you've mentioned you're taking on clients.

So what's the next phase for you?

Marco: Um, yeah, I think that that is the next phase for sure. Um, you know, I think when I first started this, it was always my intention to have my own firm, um, merging engineering, construction, interior design. And architecture [00:34:00] really. Um, so now that I have my sister on board and, you know, I think we have a pretty good foundation on social media.

Now the next chapter really is building that out. So our own firm. Amazing. So that's, that's exciting. Um, Another thing that just really excites me is delving into product. I think to be able to create something that anyone can have is like so special. So that, that's another area that I am excited about.

And I think lastly, I really, in the future, I would love to write a book. You know, I've had a couple of opportunities already come up where, you know, they're wanting me to like write something and I, it's something to me that's like very special. And I think, I mean, with all my work, I try to be very like thoughtful and intentional with what I create.

Um, because at the end of the day, you know, you're, you're taking someone's time. And I think with that. You know, I really want to [00:35:00] make sure that I'm able to really create an impact. Um, and I mean, my goal is also to just, you know, inspire others who maybe have either, you know, like a similar background to me and, you know, following, you know, at a young age, it's like, okay, what career choice do I take?

Is it more of the stable, um, career, or maybe more of an artistic one and that battle that you have, whether it's, you know, dealing with your sexual identity. You know, for me, you know, I identify as gay and growing up, that was such a big thing that, especially growing up in Northern California where it's a lot more conservative, it's such a struggle that I battled with.

Additionally, even like with, you know, uh, like my culture and my identity, you know, I think growing up I, I spoke Spanish, you know, that was my very first language. My parents were very, about maintaining our culture and traditions. And now I'm incredibly like thankful to my parents that I'm bilingual, biliterate.

So game changer, game [00:36:00] changer. Yeah. But you know, during that, like those adolescent years, middle school, high school years, you know, you kind of stand out. And, and I think that was a big, you know, identity struggle and, and kind of a tough time for me that I think now as I'm really Expanding and growing and like stepping into who I am.

And, um, you know, as a designer creator artist, I think it's very important that I share my story to hopefully inspire and be that person for someone else.

Jeremiah: Well, I think you're doing a great job as somebody. Watching from the outside. I'm a huge fan of yours. And, you know, I think unfortunately our business doesn't do the best job at championing and encouraging our peers.

And that's exactly what I want for you. I want nothing but the biggest and best and the most beautiful career possible. Everything you want, you deserve it. And I'll be sitting here cheering you on the entire time. I really appreciate you taking the time today and talking. And [00:37:00] like I said, I'm a huge fan of what you're doing and.

I'm really rooting for you. Um, not that you need me to root for you, but everybody's rooting for you. Um, but I'm excited to see what you create. And I just want you to know, we have a lot of parallels starting our business and the intention with what we do and how we do it, and the moment that you bring home something you created, whether it's a towel or a bowl or a candle with your name on it, and your parents see that.

It's going to be a big moment. So just take the time, take the beat and, you know, they should be very proud of you.

Marco: Jeremiah. It's yeah, such an honor to be here on the show with you. So thanks for having me. And, and, and honestly, thanks for

Jeremiah: taking

Marco: the time. About time. Yeah, but no, likewise, honestly, I mean, you are such an iconic figure in the interior design world.

And yeah, honestly, I. Looked up to you for a while as well. So yeah, you're so talented.

Jeremiah: That's cause I'm 900 years old, Marco. I'm 900. What happened? [00:38:00] How did I become the old guy? What's going on?

Well, next time you're in New York, you let me know. Okay. For sure. I won't like craft or DIY or anything with you, but I'll go for a cocktail. Okay. That's my DIY.

Marco: Sounds good. Let's do it.

Jeremiah: I just wanna give a special thanks to Marco. I love hearing about his story. I love hearing about his creativity and his process, and I think it's a testament to the next generation of talent and everything that they're doing and kind of reimagining and recreating an industry that is so overdue. for recreation.

I'd love to hear about the special places and the pivotal moments in all of your lives. Be sure to post, comment, or tag us on Instagram at caclosets. Thanks to the amazing team behind the scenes. This episode is produced by Rob Schulte and Rachel Senator at Sandow Design [00:39:00] Group.