09 November 2009

Carolands House Visit, Part II: The Buatta Touch

The Ladies Lounge - the curtains reminded me of those made for Evangeline Bruce by John Fowler, an early mentor to Buatta

Many times the only difference between "good" and "great" is a small detail, but what a difference it makes. While touring the storybook Chateau Carolands, I found my attention constantly drawn to the beautifully finished soft furnishings dreamed up by the Maestro of Passementerie, Mario Buatta.

The Men's Lounge

Students of curtains, take note of the generous length of the panels that puddle most attractively on the floor - lining and interlining are key to achieving this look.....

A favorite Buatta chintz in the Loggia

Taffeta Festoons - is there anything more swoon-inducing?

a symphony of blue and yellow - cording, buttons, and tassels finish the seat cushions in the dining room

The Johnsons, the owners of Carolands, love to play cards - who needs real cards when you can have needlepoint ones which very conveniently leave hands free for highballs

10 comments:

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I once heard Mr. Buatta say he used to call up Sister Parish every month and ask what she'd done recently that he could steal. Loved his English style.

pve design said...

These images make me want to illustrate a fine foursome at a wicked game of hearts with curtains puddled on the floor and large cocktail rings a sparkle!
pve

Emily Evans Eerdmans said...

Pamela - love that - thanks for passing along!

PVE - and we all want to see your fine foursome!

home before dark said...

Swoon inducing indeed! Interlining drapes is the beginning of the magic and the craft. Tedious to say the least to catch a single thread of drapery fabric so as not to show or pucker. Not sure I am too many more of these darlings left in me. Sounds like California left visions of sugar plums dancing in your head!

Shandell's said...

I have not needle pointed in years, what a beautiful card table piece.

COCOCOZY said...

Love the color of the men's lounge!

Coco
Cococozy
http://www.cococozy.com

sophie dahy designs said...

That house is breathtakingly beautiful. I have a little trouble imagining living there though!

Rose C'est La Vie said...

As ever, a little hasty to criticize.. The men's lounge is wonderful, as are those festoon blinds and the chintz. Buatta is too great a decorator to write off with one
stroke of the pen! Just because I don't personally
enjoy the dining room scheme.

Karena said...

Love the blues and yellows color palette! Wonderful images!

Dandy said...

As far as
i know, Mario Buatta got his start as Keith Irvine's assistant. It was Kieth who worked for John Fowler. I worked at Irvine and Fleming,so I have it from the horse's mouth, and Mr. Buatta has stated so himself. Of course, there may be a direct connection between John Fowler and Mario Buatta that I am not aware of.