Mark Epstein was educated at Pratt Institute in New York where he studied environmental design. One of his teachers was Joseph D Urso, who became a pivotal influence on his design style as well as informing his knowledge of space and light. Josef Albers' color theories impacted the designer's work, and today is still an underlying signature. The numerous homes Epstein has designed are layered with his deep knowledge of art, antiques, textiles, and color theory, which are seamlessly played out in each room while creating a cohesive flow from space to space.