The March issue of Architectural Digest includes a beautiful tribute to design legend Mario Buatta with the feature of his last project, a glamorous New York duplex he designed for beloved repeat clients. It was written by Emily Evans Eerdmans, the exceptionally talented writer who authored Mario Buatta: Fifty Years of American Interior Decoration (aka the “Buattapedia) and became one of Mario’s dearest friends. Emily notes the duplex contains quintessentially Buatta elements such as inviting seating, drapery with dressmaker details, a glorious rainbow of color, touches of chinoiserie fantasy, and occasional bursts of chintz. But there are surprises, too she says. “A mod planetary chandelier centers the blush-pink dining room, which is further loosened up with blue-and-white Indian batik–slipcovered chairs and paisley-embroidered curtains. The entrance hall’s silvered grass cloth and an African motif–inspired printed burlap in a dressing room both also lie outside the expected Buatta canon.”
The building was built in 1931, which inspired Mario to incorporate a touch of the jazz age within his design. A passionate historian, Mario was a scholar up until the very end. “When not able to access his own library, he would dispatch me to the New York School of Interior Design to bring back books on the Art Deco style for him to study,” said Emily. Remarkably, much of this project was completed from his hospital room which he turned into “command central, surrounded by mini-mountains of alluring wallpaper and fabric swatches.” Via Instagram, Emily says Mario was literally making decisions while being wheeled into surgery. He never lost his masterful vision nor his uncompromising drive for creating beauty.
Aubergine glazed walls wrap the living room. Custom seating by De Angelis in a Quadrille print. The owners’ extensive collection of artworks by René Magritte is displayed throughout the apartment.
Three different silks, two by Kravet and one by Brunschwig & Fils, make up the living room curtains.
In the dining room, a hanging light from John Rosselli illuminates a table draped in a Brunschwig & Fils fabric. Curtains of a Lee Jofa linen; sconces from Liz O’Brien; rug by Stark.
Benjamin Moore’s Breath of Fresh Air paint brightens up the kitchen ceiling. Ann-Morris pot rack.
A self-portrait by Magritte hangs in the library. Curtains of a Rose Cumming fabric. The pennant valances riff on ones made for the Prince Regent at Carlton House in the 1790s.
The master bedroom is swathed in a Gracie wallpaper; Buatta designed the bed.
A vignette in the master bedroom.
The ceiling in the marble-clad master bath is covered in an Osborne & Little wallpaper.
The entry features three Magritte paintings over a pair of antique consoles that Buatta joined with a new stone top.
Captions above via Architectural Digest. To read Emily’s moving feature, please visit Architectural Digest or pick up a copy of the March issue. You can also follow Emily via Instagram. And if you don’t already own Mario Buatta: Fifty Years of American Interior Decoration, it is a necessary addition to any interior designer enthusiast’s library! For more articles on Mario Buatta written by The Glam Pad, please see links below…
- AN ELEGANT MARIO BUATTA–DESIGNED HOME IN MANILA
- FAREWELL MARIO BUATTA, THE BELOVED PRINCE OF CHINTZ
- THE MAGIC OF MARIO: THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF MARIO BUATTA
- MARIO BUATTA’S TIMELESS ALLURE
- A COUNTRY ESCAPE BY MARIO BUATTA
- A PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED MARIO BUATTA APARTMENT!
- MARIO BUATTA AND PATRICIA ALTSCHUL EXUDE SOUTHERN CHARM IN CHARLESTON
- PATRICIA ALTSCHUL’S HOME IN CHARLESTON HOME + DESIGN
- SOUTHERN CHARM WITH PATRICIA ALTSCHUL
- PATRICIA ALTSCHUL’S MANHATTAN MAISONETTE: DESIGNED BY MARIO BUATTA
- MARIO BUATTA DECORATES A GLAMOROUS MANHATTAN HIGH-RISE
- PALM BEACH ENTERTAINING, MARIO BUATTA, AND A PAGODA POOL HOUSE
- MARIO BUATTA DESIGNS A 1930S JOHN STAUB HOUSE IN HOUSTON
An Elegant Mario Buatta–Designed Home in Manila
Couture Curtains and Dressmaker Draperies
Mario Buatta and the English Country House Style in America
Mario Buatta and The English Room
Such a gorgeous project! Classic yet current. Mario’s projects never look dated. I think it’s his choice of colors.
Thanks for sharing Andrea‼️😍
Wow! Stunning! A masterpiece from a brilliant, creative master of design. I have loved his work from the beginning to the end. If anyone can make heaven more beautiful, it will be Mario. Thank you for sharing it with us Andrea! xoxo
P.S. Happy Valentine’s Day!
What a thrill to find such a special post in my emails! Thank you Andrea! I don’t know what it is about Mario’s work but, my gosh I get butterflies every time I see one of his rooms. Just overwhelming the joyousness! I love that these owners – and Patricia Altschul – share the beauty they are fortunate enough to live with daily. Xoxo elizabeth
Brilliant! So many wonderful touches. What a loss to the design world. He was a master; a nonpareil. Adieu, Mario. 🙁
Quinttesential Mario Buatta !! Always beautiful and timeless ., Altough i must confess that i’m not entirely sold with the color treatment on the walls of the living room.