Fabulous New Yorkers:
Samuel Botero, Interior Designer

I enjoy seeing fabulous homes in “Architectural Digest”, which I subscribe to,
and on “Open House”, the TV program I watch every Sunday.

Samuel Botero is one of those interior designers who create innovative
environments I read about in decorating magazines.

His clients are mainly those with private homes, not only in the United States,
but also in France, Italy and Mexico.

“The most important thing for an interior is color”, Botero said as he began
to explain his design philosophy. “We need to listen to the customer’s needs,
and using professional insight, we will decide the color or style that is
best suited to the customer.
We need to listen to client’s likes, as well as, their dislikes.”

After determining what the client wants, he explains his vision to all
the professionals – landscape, furniture and rug designers, as well as,
those in many other fields, that will help him achieve the client’s wants
and dreams. “It’s like the work of a movie director,” he pointed out,
“who has a final vision.”

Samuel’s work has appeared in “Architectural Digest” and “Interior Design”,
several times. One of his rooms was on the cover of “Interior Design”,
a much coveted achievement for interior designers.

Let’s visit some of his client’s homes.
The first is a six-story Manhattan townhouse. The bedroom with a
fireplace and chandeliers has a window with views overlooking Central Park.

The Takashi Murakami painting fits into his gorgeous European-style
interior without a sense of incongruity.

In this screening room, the screen drops down from the ceiling.
I would like to watch classic films in a room like this.

Many women dream of having such a wonderful dressing room.

Because the woman who lives here has a lot of wigs, storage is a problem.
When the hairdresser comes to style her hair, the owner sits in the green chair.

Let’s look at another home…a New York apartment. Its bedroom overlooks
the night lights of the city. The luxurious fur bedspread makes it look like a
fashionable New York movie set.

I would like a modern living room with bookcases and colorful cushions.

The Asian atmosphere is also popular now. This room includes a statue
of Buddha.

The living room has a beckoning black cat which fits into the room
like an art object.

Samuel’s business partner is Emery von Sztankoczy.
They respect each other’s sensitivity and work together easily.

They are inspired by Japanese aesthetics and collect Japanese art.
They have Ukiyoe wood block prints by Sharaku, Toyokuni and
other important artists.
Although they have never done work for clients in Asia to date,
because of their keen interest in Far Eastern art, and especially Japanese art,
they told me that they have a passion to work in Japan.
Oh, if we could ask them to design our homes, how nice that would be!

Vol.68 FNY (15) Samuel Botero/Interior Designer