Oscar De La Renta

It may come as a surprise to know that pre-eminent fashion designer Oscar de la Renta leaves the interior design of his homes to his wife. “She has much better taste than I do,” he laughs. “A home is what a woman creates for the family.”
But when it comes to furniture, de la Renta has a few ideas of his own. In 2002, the design maestro went beyond fashion and into furniture, creating his first line of upholstery, wood and outdoor designs for Century Furniture.
From 18th century-inspired mahogany pieces and casually inviting upholstery to woven-rattan designs, each line reflects the styles of the designer’s three different homes — his New York apartment, country estate in Connecticut, and oceanside retreat in his homeland, the Dominican Republic. Named “New York,” “Kent” and “Punta Cana,” his collections comprise more than 100 casegoods, upholstery, tables, chairs, bedroom sets and more.
Just this past spring, de la Renta introduced a collection of garden furniture in collaboration with the Duchess of Devonshire. “The Duchess and I have been great friends for many years,” he says. “My goal was to bring the lifestyle of the English countryside to American gardeners.”
Named “Chatsworth,” after the Duke and Duchess’ home in England, the 12-piece line of elegant English garden furniture includes garden seats, chairs, tables and other pieces crafted primarily of solid Honduran mahogany. Customers can choose from seven highly weather-resistant finishes, including Devonshire green. “It’s difficult to paint furniture for a garden,” de la Renta says. “You can’t compete with nature.”
To tell the story behind the designs, de la Renta and the Duchess spoke at the Design Center of the Americas in Dania Beach, Fla., this past December. There, they recounted how the collection evolved over a cup of tea in the Chatsworth gardens. “We wanted to copy the furniture in her garden and bring it to the States,” de la Renta says.
Given the success of de la Renta’s fashion empire, it stands to reason that his furniture would yield the same results. “Designing furniture is something I wanted to do for a long time,” he says. “I met with the people from Century, and we just clicked. I’m a control freak and they let me impose myself, if you will.”
Born Oscar Aristedes de la Renta, the designer left the Dominican Republic when he was 18 to study art in Madrid. Art led to an interest in design, which initiated an apprenticeship with couturier Christóbal Balenciaga. De la Renta then moved to Paris to work with Antonio Castillo’s house of Lanvin. In 1963, he made his way to New York and began designing for Elizabeth Arden. Two years later, de la Renta launched his own ready-to-wear line.
Always in pursuit of a new adventure, he delved into the world of fragrance in 1977, and has since introduced three fragrances, including Rosamor, his most recent.
When asked about the difference between designing for fashion vs. furniture, he quips, “Fashion is fast, but interior design lasts.”
For more on de la Renta’s designs, call the Century showroom in DCOTA at 954/929-5656. Or go online to www.centuryfurniture.com.

	Like his fashion designs, Oscar de la Renta’s furniture creations reflect refinement, elegance, and of course, good taste.
It may come as a surprise to know that pre-eminent fashion designer Oscar de la Renta leaves the interior design of his homes to his wife. “She has much better taste than I do,” he laughs. “A home is what a woman creates for the family.” But when it comes to furniture, de la Renta has a few ideas of his own. In 2002, the design maestro went beyond fashion and into furniture, creating his first line of upholstery, wood and outdoor designs for Century Furniture. From 18th century-inspired mahogany pieces and casually inviting upholstery to woven-rattan designs, each line reflects the styles of the designer’s three different homes — his New York apartment, country estate in Connecticut, and oceanside retreat in his homeland, the Dominican Republic. Named “New York,” “Kent” and “Punta Cana,” his collections comprise more than 100 casegoods, upholstery, tables, chairs, bedroom sets and more. Just this past spring, de la Renta introduced a collection of garden furniture in collaboration with the Duchess of Devonshire. “The Duchess and I have been great friends for many years,” he says. “My goal was to bring the lifestyle of the English countryside to American gardeners.” Named “Chatsworth,” after the Duke and Duchess’ home in England, the 12-piece line of elegant English garden furniture includes garden seats, chairs, tables and other pieces crafted primarily of solid Honduran mahogany. Customers can choose from seven highly weather-resistant finishes, including Devonshire green. “It’s difficult to paint furniture for a garden,” de la Renta says. “You can’t compete with nature.” To tell the story behind the designs, de la Renta and the Duchess spoke at the Design Center of the Americas in Dania Beach, Fla., this past December. There, they recounted how the collection evolved over a cup of tea in the Chatsworth gardens. “We wanted to copy the furniture in her garden and bring it to the States,” de la Renta says. Given the success of de la Renta’s fashion empire, it stands to reason that his furniture would yield the same results. “Designing furniture is something I wanted to do for a long time,” he says. “I met with the people from Century, and we just clicked. I’m a control freak and they let me impose myself, if you will.” Born Oscar Aristedes de la Renta, the designer left the Dominican Republic when he was 18 to study art in Madrid. Art led to an interest in design, which initiated an apprenticeship with couturier Christóbal Balenciaga. De la Renta then moved to Paris to work with Antonio Castillo’s house of Lanvin. In 1963, he made his way to New York and began designing for Elizabeth Arden. Two years later, de la Renta launched his own ready-to-wear line. Always in pursuit of a new adventure, he delved into the world of fragrance in 1977, and has since introduced three fragrances, including Rosamor, his most recent. When asked about the difference between designing for fashion vs. furniture, he quips, “Fashion is fast, but interior design lasts.” For more on de la Renta’s designs, call the Century showroom in DCOTA at 954/929-5656. Or go online to www.centuryfurniture.com.
	The Devonshire green “House & Garden Seat” is de la Renta’s favorite piece from the new “Chatsworth” line.
	De la Renta’s “Punta Cana” line for Century Furniture includes this lounge chair and ottoman made of synthetic rattan.
	Inspired by his city apartment, pieces from the “New York” collection bespeak urban sophistication, such as the “Concave Triangular Bench.”
	The “Chelsea Seat” is one of 12 pieces de la Renta and the Duchess of Devonshire designed for “Chatsworth.”
	From de la Renta’s upholstery collection for Century comes this tufted sofa with fringe. Rounded arms and rich cocoa fabric speak to his classic style.