Mario Buatta and the English Country House Style in America

This content has restricted access, please type “glampad” below and get access.


19 COMMENTS

  1. Was a good read – interesting how Americans ( Canadian here) always fall in love with the English Country Look and are able to understand what makes it tick and help Clients achieve a relaxed, but formal evolved look.

    Seems like no one is really doing the English Country look these days… with so many places in N.America building steel & glass Condos.
    Increasingly hard to find even a good, local Antiques shop – my favourise in town which gets 2x shipping from England a year closing next month. Was always like stopping in at a Museum for me.

    I think the English are able to pull off this whole feel/look because they are often Witty, with a good dose of Common Sense for comfort, whimsical/eccentric and above all Smart enough to know it ALL starts with good bones. Wether its a cosy Cottage or a Great Hall or Drawing Room – use the dimensions/architecture as space and start layering.

    I have many favourite places in England…but have you ever though about doing a peice on Fenton House, on Hampstead Heath in London? The House is quite unique…also has a stash of Ancient Keyboards….and the Gardens both formal and casual
    Regards. Tim

    • You’re not asking me but I agree w/you. The Mario Buatta sales gives me hope younger people are carrying a torch for antiques and this style. Too bad about the shop by you. Falsely assumed Canadians were better about respecting dodads from the mother country.

      Andrea or Luzanne Hampstead Heath would be a great addition. Maybe a post showing just what real English manors looks like before Nancy and before Mario. I’d be okay if you threw in Blenheim Palace for good measure!

    • Thank you for reading, Tim! It’s my fervent hope that the enthusiasm for and success of the Buatta auction marks a shift of direction. My personal style is minimalist grisaille. Even though it’s done well, when big brands started recreated my significant pieces, it assumed a generic feel. I’m dipping my toe into Chinoiserie to liven things up a bit and hope my peers will do the same.

      Exploring the evolution of English country homes to English country style to English country style for America would be a fascinating article. I’m always game for studying any of England’s great homes, as long as Andrea is too!

  2. 1st time using my new email to comment. Hope it works o.k.!

    It just clicked reading Luzanne’s statement re: ECHS as beau ideal. Always thought Nancy captured a snapshot in time. But I fact checked this and ECHS really was a scheme created by Nancy. I think seeing that’s a lot of insight for a non expert, non practitioner. Girl knows more than she thinks!

    Merci for writing all this out. I got in a rhythm which had me feeling like I was in the room. Always learn something new from Andrea!!!!

    • Thank you for keeping me honest with the fact check!

      While visiting British friends in the Lake District a decade or so ago, we popped between a handful of proper English Manors. The decor was underwhelming at best. In fact, the comment Lady Churchill made about dog tinkle was spot on in two of the castles. The furniture in the drawing room didn’t appear to have been recovered since the 19th century. It was much more “rustic” than that for which my romantic, optimistic, Anglophile brain had prepared. These were people of significant means who could decorate however they chose, so the interiors didn’t add up. It wasn’t until beginning design studies that I realized what you did in this article. My view of English country interiors is the construction of an expat from Virginia, and reinterpreted by a New Yorker in America. Pretty neat actually!

  3. Mario did for the English Country style of decorating in America, what Julia Child did for French cooking.
    This series of in depth articles centered on Mario shed a light onto Mario’s journey. Andrea and Luzanne make us simultaneously understand more and thirst for more. This goes a long way towards staving off Mario’s fear of being forgotten.

    • Your comment made my heart happy, Haleh! It’s nice to know our efforts have received the imprimatur of such key figures in Mario’s life. Who shall we interview next, I wonder?!

      Correct me if I’m wrong but even if Mario had chosen to spend his live running Buatta Music Store and contributed nothing to design, he’d be unforgettable. Earlier today, I remarked to Emily and Chris Spitzmiller (who, in case he’s reading, left an indelible mark on Mario’s career. Incomparable, really) that learning about a master is interesting. However, since I’m operating outside of my realm, I’m more intrigued by the Mario anecdotes. There a bottomless pit of hilarious anecdotes about Mario. I never met the man and even I could never forget him!

      Your support is greatly appreciated. xo, Luzanne

      • Dear Luzanne, I’m grateful to you and Andrea for exploring the less publicly known aspects of Mario’s work. Going through the daily working process of a project with Mario from beginning to end, is an experience that cannot be described with any one word. There are of course endless anecdotes to tell, 25 years worth in my case. Within those stories one can see the personality that directed the design, and get a mini glimpse into understanding the way Mario’s environments came about.
        And speaking of Mario’s particular; lovable; and maddening ways, yes I think there’s no way he would go unnoticed even if he worked underground digging tunnels in the dark.

  4. Good post, Luzanne! And congratulations on your Mario acquisitions. Hope to see you in Hudson for the next round of Buattacon.

    • Thank you on both counts, Cynthia! Your regular support means the world.

      I fear my day job would be in serious jeopardy if I were to return to NYC, but I am considering it all the same. Trouble, trouble. Did you read the Washington Post Q&A with Emily Evans-Eerdmans on 1/30? It turned my eager anticipation for the STAIR auction into an enthusiastic countdown until the lots are published.

    • Hi Ann, I’m pleased you asked this question. Sotheby’s doesn’t make it easy to find where to order and secondhand dealers are charging a fortune. As of Thursday, January 28, Sotheby’s was still selling (the second printing) of the two Mario Buatta catalogues for $80. You may purchase via email or telephone:

      [email protected]
      or
      1-212-606-7000

      No money is made from writing articles, from the links included, for promoting auctions, or sharing catalogue order details. I do it to connect with fellow enthusiasts and share resources to be helpful. With absolutely no vested interest in you buying the catalogues, you will absolutely love the catalogues. Not only for the record of Mario’s beautiful worldly goods, but there are personal touches and compelling historical background the various art forms he favored.

  5. I was SO excited to see this in my Inbox, and I wasn’t disappointed. Luzanne’s writing style is a delight: I always make tea and toast on my breakfast tray with a linen placemat and napkin when I see her guest posts, because it puts me in the perfect state of mind to fully immerse myself. Immerse I did, even to reading parts of this through twice.

    The insights provided by all the panelists painted a more complete picture for me, deepened my appreciation of everyone who contributed to the development of MB’s talent, and cemented my determination to create the home *I* want, even if I have to budget for it until my last breath.

    I would have loved to see everything in person at the auction (much as I’d love to see Patricia Altschul’s home in person!), but this was incredibly satisfying.

    Thank you, Andrea and Luzanne.

    • As always, you’ve brightened this cookie monster’s day 😉 I’m grateful for the encouragement you’ve given me to write this past year. I needed it!

      Mario may not have had an assistant in the last 15 years of his life, but it’s undeniable that there were many active players in helping these interiors come to life. When you work in the shadow of a master, you don’t always get or want acclaim. But sharing their stories informs Mario’s legend. It’s my earnest hope that we continue to connect with colleagues who desire to share their stories. If not, I’ll just write about every single one of Haleh’s projects because I am obsessed with her talent!

      I’m reposting part of a comment I left for Ann regarding Mario Buatta catalogues in case you want a pair. My plan was to grab a bunch when in New York City for the preview, but they were already totally sold out! Be sure to buy directly from Sotheby’s before they run out of the second printing. They’re already being listed on Ebay for $250!

      “Sotheby’s doesn’t make it easy to find where to order and secondhand dealers are charging a fortune. As of Thursday, January 28, Sotheby’s was still selling (the second printing) of the two Mario Buatta catalogues for $80. You may purchase via email or telephone:

      [email protected]
      or
      1-212-606-7000

      No money is made from writing articles, from the links included, for promoting auctions, or sharing catalogue order details. I do it to connect with fellow enthusiasts and share resources to be helpful. With absolutely no vested interest in you buying the catalogues, you will absolutely love the catalogues. Not only for the record of Mario’s beautiful worldly goods, but there are personal touches and compelling historical background the various art forms he favored.”

  6. I’m glad you recognized that I was kidding. Since 99% of readers don’t know my sassy personality, it was a conscious risk.

    As much as I appreciate your proposal, I have the strong sense Andrea will not go for it. While it would be sure to entertain, I’d hate to singlehandedly destroy her credibility. S

  7. I made a last minute choice to stay home from the panel taking for granted Sotheby’s would live stream or record. I was so disappointed. Silence from the Google alert was defeating until today. I’m not familiar with your blog but you’ve got yourself a new reader. All those muckity mucks and fancy pants Sotheby’s you’re the exclusive source. Be proud to it.

    Got to ask about the note you made about Mario not being ashamed of where he’s from. Where would you go with the track if you could?

    Anyway thanks!

    • Argh! We shared the assumption that Sotheby’s default is to record every presentation. Had I known they weren’t going to LiveStream or record, I would’ve asked permission to post a LiveStory on Instagram. Live and learn! I’m pleased we were able to fill the void to a modest degree.

      A few people have asked the same question on Instagram. By no means is it a criticism, just a little intrigue for me to explore. Writing that I heard it 100 times was a *slight* exaggeration, but no less than 5 people shared the observation in the hours that preceded the same in the panel. The constant observation struck me as bizarre and prompted a series of questions: What’s going on in Staten Island? Are loved ones trying to quell a specific rumor (of which I’m unaware) about Mario putting on airs? Is it common for those in his position to be ashamed of their roots? Do New Yorkers harshly judge others’ origin stories and compel shame? I could continue but I’ll spare us both. I’ve never known anyone to be ashamed of where they’re from so the praise puzzled me. What’s there to be ashamed of, you know?

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

spot_imgspot_imgspot_img

related posts

the latest features

on our bookshelf

trending now

designer profiles

best sellers

VISIT THE SHOP  VISIT THE SHOP    VISIT THE SHOP  VISIT THE SHOP  VISIT THE SHOP  VISIT THE SHOP

  VISIT THE SHOP  VISIT THE SHOP  VISIT THE SHOP  VISIT THE SHOP  VISIT THE SHOP  VISIT THE SHOP  VISIT THE SHOP