Quick Facts
Biography
Mario Buatta (October 20, 1935 – October 15, 2018) was an American interior decorator. Born in Livingston, West Brighton, Staten Island, New York in 1935, he attended Curtis High School, Cooper Union and Parsons School of Design.
He designed interiors for clients including; Mariah Carey, Henry Ford II, Malcolm Forbes, Barbara Walters, Nelson Doubleday, Mr. and Mrs. S.I. Newhouse, Charlotte Ford, and Billy Joel.He oversaw the interior of the Blair House in Washington, D.C., and was known as the "Prince of Chintz" based partially on his use of lush floral prints.
Buatta owned the William H. Mason house in Thompson Hill, Connecticut, a historic home that has fallen into disrepair. There is some protest over what has been termed "demolition by neglect" surrounding the home.
Buatta's most extensive work was Carolands, an historic 92-room chateau located in the town of Hillsborough, California located just south of San Francisco.
Buatta died in New York City on October 15, 2018, at the age of 82.