Final Take Barclay Butera
Designer Barclay Butera shares his inspirational insights.
Left and Right: Design powerhouse Barclay Butera once owned Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms estate.
Middle: The designer at work in his studio.
My Style
My personal style is always evolving. With 30 years in the business, you are constantly barraged with new and exciting designs and innovations! These days in my own home I prefer an edited, uncluttered vibe. Life is complicated enough without being surround with “stuff.” While I hesitate to label it, transitional is about as close as it gets. I love to curate product from around the globe; art, rugs, decor to really personalize my space.
A World of Inspiration
No question my biggest inspiration is travel! I have been to very exotic locations over the last few years: Africa, Mykonos, Morrocco, Vienna, Spain, and artisan communities in Mexico, to name a few. Each time I come home from a trip I am inspired to design new collections for my licensing partners and infuse those inspirations into my client’s projects. My new lighting collection with Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting for Barclay Butera Couture is called “Embark” and was inspired by my trips to Santorini and the Amalfi Coast.
Time Travel
I have to say I am still a Rat Pack junkie! That era inspired an entire generation and had a major influence on fashion and life-style. I can’t drive out to my Palm Springs home without a little Sinatra playing. In fact, I was fortunate enough to own his Twin Palms estate for several years. That was totally a surreal moment in time for me.
A Butera-designed home in Aspen.
Favorite Things
I am just wrapping up a dream project in The Vintage Club, a very luxurious community in Indian Wells. It has magnificent mountain views, spectacular architecture, and the client is totally thrilled with the refined elegance vibe we created. For today, that is my favorite project. I also loved owning and designing the groovy midcentury home of Desi Arnaz Jr. in the bluffs of Bel-Air.
First Things First
Right from the beginning, I make sure the client understands the project will be a combination of yours, mine and ours. I love a collaboration! I always ask my client “How do you live?” and “What is important to you in your life and day to day routine?” I can make any space beautiful, but if it doesn’t work for the client and their lifestyle what’s the point?
Trend Report
I never rely on trends; I think they date projects and are so restrictive. As far as dislikes? I have never been a fan of primary colors. Not sure if it ever went out but I will always love formal, elegant gardens. I see so many hodgepodge creations for outdoor, but I think of outside spaces as the fifth room. So, since I am a symmetry guy, you will find my outdoor spaces and gardens to be very orderly and balanced.
If I Were a Chair
Decades ago, I absolutely would have said a wing chair. A nod to my love and respect for classic Ralph Lauren style. These days I have to say a modern, comfortable swivel club, in a lush fabric. My homage to a comfortable yet glamorous vibe, and a swivel because I am always on the go!
I Wish I Knew
How to connect my phone to Bluetooth without interruption when getting in the car! It’s enough to drive you insane.
Photography courtesy Barclay Butera Inc.