Mario Buatta and The English Room

Have you heard? The 1980s are back! As a child of the eighties, I couldn’t be happier… For me this means chintz, fine antiques, dressmaker details, oriental rugs, traditional art, etc.  The Charlotte, North Carolina home we are touring today is the childhood home of Holly Hollingsworth Phillips, interior designer and creator of The English Room, and it was decorated by Mario Buatta in the 1980s.  It had remained virtually the same over the decades… And it is timeless.

Designer Linda Kerekes commented once on my blog, “During Mario Buatta’s heyday in the eighties, we designers had the privilege of having clients who would put money and thought into the purchase of the best fabrics and beautiful silk trims. We would use custom workrooms to create wonderfully crafted draperies and upholstery. This was because the classic design favored by the upper class society figures of the day were meant to be permanent, timeless, and forever. They were the models that others wanted to exemplify. Designers were creating permanent backgrounds for the clients’s collections of art, things from travels and family photos, their history. Interiors were not changed like couture gowns. They were curated and replaced only as they were lovingly worn out. Clients were willing to invest in the best quality because these things were made to last forever. It would be lovely if we could get back to quality over change.”

In today’s 24/7 world where a newly designed room looks dated almost as soon as it is complete, it is no wonder that we are longing for a greater sense of permanence and timelessness. Mario Buatta’s interiors are based on his extensive knowledge of history. They incorporate the best design principles from centuries past, and they will remain desirable for centuries to come.

  

This home is the perfect example of why it is always a wise decision to invest in the classics… They never go out of style.  To learn more about Holly Hollingsworth Phillips, please visit The English Room. Holly has recently partnered with LeighDeux to create a fun new line of linens. You can follow her on Instagram @theenglishroom. And please click here for my recent interview with Mario Buatta.