The eagerly anticipated first monograph to celebrate the fifty-years-and-counting career of decorating legend Mario Buatta. Influenced by the understated elegance of Colefax and Fowler and the doyenne of exuberant American decor, Sister Parish, Buatta reinvented the English Country House style stateside for clients such as Henry Ford II, Barbara Walters, Malcolm Forbes, and Mariah Carey, and for Blair House, the President’s guest quarters. The designer is acclaimed for his sumptuous rooms that layer fine antiques, confectionary curtains, and sublime colorations, creating an atmosphere of lived-in opulence. This lavishly illustrated survey—filled with images taken for the foremost shelter magazines as well as many unpublished photographs from the designer’s own archive—closely follows Buatta’s highly documented career from his professional start in the 1950s working for department store B. Altman & Co. and Elisabeth Draper, Inc. to his most recent projects, which include some of the country’s finest residences. Buatta shares exclusive insights into his process, his own rules for decorating, and personal stories of his adventures along the way.
“It seems preposterous that no book had ever been published about Mario Buatta…finally there’s a generous volume covering his career, which brought to prominence in the U.S the English country-house style, buoyed by his daring but unerring sense of color. After more than 400 pages, it seems greedy to want more…this is an essential addition to interior design literature. Worth waiting for.” ~Interior Design Magazine
“Buatta’s magnificent monograph celebrates over fifty years of design and decoration by one of American’s preeminent decorators—the history, influences, and of course the brilliant body of work, all sumptuously illustrated and photographed. Needless to say, there are a great many lessons to be learned and endless inspiration to be had here—it’s a true masterclass in interior design.” –Whatisjameswearing.com
“Never short on floral chintz, cheerful colors, and a sophisticated air, the views of Buatta’s extraordinary body of work make this tome a must-have." ~Traditional Home
“Finally, after a half-century of designing and reinventing the English country house for stateside clients...Mario Buatta showcases city and country residences…along with dazzling insidery details of a dapper and witty life.” ~Paper City
“This biography of an important American interior designer is recommended for those interested in late 20th- early 21st century interiors.” ~Library Journal
“When you get your copy of the book, you must read Mario’s introduction. It is laugh-out-loud funny and off the wall, too. All in all, this is a book that you’ll thoroughly enjoy. You’ll also be glad that you added this soon-to-be classic to your design library.” ~Peak of Chic
"...a must for serious design libraries..." -Washington Post
“The one and only. The first-ever compilation of interior design legend Mario Buatta’s work surveys 50 years of his singular exuberance.” ~Architectural Digest
“Buatta tells his story in his singular, hilarious, deeply informed way. Don’t miss it.” ~New York Spaces
"A book-A treasure-make that a treasury of Mr Buatta's Wonderful World of Rooms...It's biblical in proportions and oh so wise in words...should be placed atop your book stack-never another to be placed above it...What a divine book to have...It's big-it's bold-it's beautiful." -Little Augury
"...full of funny anectodes, personal snapshots, and, of course, the lavish rooms he has decorated throughout his career....he holds nothing back..." -Quest
