The true story of Mario Buatta

Design historian Emily Evans Eerdmans is the author of a new book: Mario Buatta, Anatomy of a Decorator. In the later years of Buatta’s life, Emily was something of a protege to the legendary “prince of chintz.” Since his passing in 2018, she’s devoted herself to his legacy, organizing a blockbuster auction of Buatta’s estate and penning two books on his life and work. I spoke with Emily about how Buatta was able to find his way from a humble beginning in Staten Island to the upper echelons of Manhattan society, the rise and fall of English country style, and what young designers can learn from the industry’s last great eccentric.

This episode was sponsored by Lillian August and Hartmann & Forbes.

LINKS
Mario Buatta, Anatomy of a Decorator
Dennis Scully
Business of Home