Butera blends beauty, comfort

Nationally known lifestyle designer Barclay Butera offered insight into his philosophy about life and work when he spoke last week at the Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center.

Butera's presentation was part of the monthly First Friday event at the downtown facility for the home-furnishings industry.

"I'm not into the rules of interiors. I'm more about creating dreams," he told the audience of primarily interior designers.

That doesn't, however, translate into interiors that are hard to live with. Butera said his luxurious designs are dictated by the principle of creating fashionable interiors that are designed for comfort and living.

"The living room is meant for living and the dining room is meant for dining," he said recalling that those rooms were used only on special occasions in his mother's home.

Butera grew up in the interior design industry, watching and working with his mother, Karen Butera, who designed several Street of Dreams homes in Las Vegas, decorated models for Christopher Homes as well as designed Celine Dion's dressing room suite at Caesars Palace. After earning a degree in political science and economics, he went to law school for a year before returning to interior design.

Since then, he has created a name-based brand that focuses on his "Better-Best" philosophy and includes his interior design service, four retail showrooms and licensed collections of upholstery, case goods, textiles and accessories.

The smaller, home décor pieces include candles, pillows and area rugs, and are ideal for those who appreciate Butera's style but aren't able to completely redesign their homes.

"You can buy a piece of what I do and marry it with your tastes," he said.

Designing an ideal interior is about blending all the elements in a room, including wall coverings, upholstery, case goods and accessories, rather than trying to get them all to match, he added.

He called his designs "timeless with touches of surprises." Among his signature trademarks are animal prints, pattern-upon-pattern décor, multiple textures -- particularly through the use of wallpapers and various fabrics -- and blue and white elements.

Butera, who said his favorite color is blue, believes the color is extremely soothing and calming, which is why it can be used in so many ways.

"I think the blue and white element can be thrown into any environment," he said.

When it comes to designing homes for his clients, Butera said he sometimes sees himself as a therapist trying to tie everyone's personalities and tastes together.

"A home is a reflection of our personality," he said.

In addition to establishing relationships with his clients that will last their entire lives, Butera said he believes it is important to support the community and often organizes and participates in fundraisers and benefits.

His future plans include bringing his signature style to other aspects of the home-furnishings industry, including a new line of fabrics with Kravet, and expanding into the hospitality arena. He is currently serving as creative director for several projects including a hotel in Del Mar, Calif., and a resort in Mexico.