Q & A WITH BARCLAY BUTERA ABOUT 2019 SAVANNAH COLLECTION
MARCH 18, 2019 LAURIE RUDD CASTELLE
Q: What was the inspiration for the Savannah outdoor furnishing collection?
A: I wanted Savannah to be all about a lifestyle of gentility; soft bamboo touches, robin’s egg blue coloring, a subtly tropical chinoiserie that could play anywhere clients were craving pretty. My previous collections with Castelle are all about bold angled frames, geometric influences, large scale. Savannah shows the softer side of Barclay Butera by celebrating radius lines using new finishes and numerous options for a bespoke custom look.
Q: The marketing for the Savannah collection relates to“Chinoiserie meets the South”– As a seemingly wide focus, was there a specific design customer you saw for this collection?
A: Absolutely. Our own design clients were clamoring for a casual, elegant collection that might lend a bit to the feminine sensibility. I was so thrilled that Castelle was willing to push the product development process by nailing that radius bamboo for our frames. By adding the blue and coral options and new finishes we have added an incredible amount of diversity and depth to our offerings.
Q: As a centerpiece of the collection is the unique mid-size wing chair. Where did the idea for this piece come?
A: It’s all about the concept of indoor meets outdoor and vice versa. So many of my design projects and indoor furniture collections include the classic wing-back, I thought why not for outdoor? I expect this to be a huge winner in the outdoor furniture category, its relaxed and classic at the same time.
Q: Do you see a market for more pieces in the mid-size category for outdoor furnishings?
A: Do I ever! With clients around the country downsizing a bit, keeping this smaller, simpler, the scale of the way we live is changing. This collection will play just as well in a Manhattan balcony, Midwestern patio, Southern screened-in porch, Palm Beach deck, as it will in a California lanai.
Q: With your latest collection, how are your imaginative design sensibilities being expressed through Castelle’s custom capabilities?
A: One of the things I really appreciate about Castelle’s process is their ability to customize collections and to bring my vision to fruition. Options are everything in this business. Designers are gong to flip with the seemingly endless choices, from robin’s egg, to coral and the gorgeous soft natural brown bamboo look. Again, together we have created a new collection that is unlike anything else available in the industry.
