Studying the great interior designers helps you with inspiration to create your own personal style. Mario Buatta teaches five interior design philosophies to inspire your home decorating.

Mario Buatta's Interior Design Ideas

by Jeanette Joy Fisher 
 
The term "chintzy" has traditionally been used as a derogatory phrase, but if you say the word around Mario Buatta, he definitely won't take it that way and won't be the least bit offended. The New York interior decorator has been dubbed the "King of Chintz" because of his lifelong fascination with that type of floral fabric.

Buatta loves chintz so much, he had a custom suit made of the shiny cotton floral fabic made to wear to a fancy benefit party.

Buatta has been at his craft a long time. He studied architecture at Cooper Union in New York before moving on to Parsons School of Design in Europe. Then he became an apprentice in the decorating department of the B. Altman and Company department store in New York City, and worked with several decorating firms, including Elizabeth Draper, before finally branching out on his own in 1963.

Mario Buatta's Interior Design Philosophy and Style

Over the years, Buatta developed his own unique design philosophy, and has become most famous for a style he calls "the undecorated look," in which he tries to provide a comfortable atmosphere within a carefully blended combination of contemporary and antique furnishings. That philosophy has served him well over the years, attracting many high profile clients from all walks of life, including Malcolm Forbes, Mariah Carey, and Billy Joel.

The basis of his interior design philosophy was developed early in life, based on spending time at the home of a favorite aunt, Mary. She was a huge fan of chintz and loved English style antique furniture, both of which eventually would become a major part of Buatta's own decorating style. Buatta began collecting antique furniture when he was only eleven, starting with an Eighteenth Century box, which his father made him store in the garage.

Interior Design Practice

 
Simply stated, his "undecorated look" begins with making a concentrated effort to make a room look that’s pleasing to the eye and subtle, rather than drawing attention to itself, similar to what a skillful painter does with the use of light in a picture.

Buatta begins his design strategy by concentrating on seating areas, followed by tables, chests, and other assorted pieces. Then he begins working in his fabric choices, which, of course, often includes chintzes. As a room comes together, Buatta tries to repeat a fabric in various places to bring the room into balance. However, he's not seeking perfection in his design. In fact, he actually incorporates imperfection into the room on purpose, such as adding a piece of furniture that doesn't quite seem to fit.

Buatta believes that adding a touch of whimsy and surprise is the key to successful decorating. He doesn't want a room to look as if all the furniture and accessories were purchased at the same time and brought in together. That's why mixing and matching pieces is one of his primary objectives. It gives a room the feeling that it evolved over time and is filled with objects and furniture that the homeowner has collected through the years.

When asked to summarize the bottom line when it comes to decorating, Buatta has a simple philosophy. The King of Chintz reminds would-be decorators always to remember that a room should be filled with a spirit of fun.

Ideas from Mario Buatta for Your Home Decorating

Home Decorating Interior Design Ideas (Home)

Interior Designers' Ideas

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher.  All rights reserved worldwide.
No part of this website may be reproduced in any form. Rights of Use  Site Map

Your Source for Home Decorating Interior Design Ideas