Texas native Mark Cravotta launched his firm, CRAVOTTA INTERIORS, in 1996, and today creates singular interiors for clients who include Austin’s Silicon Hills entrepreneuers (portrait courtesy of Mark Cravotta).Top: The living room of this Austin home includes a ceiling light by Achille Salvagni and a Patricia Urquiola for Cassina sofa. Cravotta commissioned the hand-forged bronze fireplace. Photo by Ryann Ford
October 3, 2021Austin, Texas–based designer Mark Cravotta once pursued careers in the visual arts and design: painting, jewelry, ceramics and textile. So, it’s only natural that his interiors evince a love of the handmade and artisanal. “I work hard to make sure that rooms look like they have evolved over time and won’t look dated in ten years,” says the designer, who launched CRAVOTTA INTERIORS in 1996. “Clients say that is why they seek me out.”
The Dallas-born Cravotta at one time made a living assembling computers at a tech company, and his clientele today includes some of Austin’s Silicon Hills entrepreneurs. But he doesn’t allow even such notoriously time-pressed clients to “disrupt” his creative process. “It can’t be rushed,” he explains. “There is an iterative quality to good design.”
And his design is both very good and very imaginative. Take his work for a couple in their 60s who asked for traditional elements in the steel-and-glass shell of their Austin home. Cravotta paneled a master bedroom wall in reclaimed Welsh roof tiles hand-painted in a botanical motif that included a jackalope — a mythical animal associated with Texas. He met the English decorative painter and textile designer Daniel Heath at Maison & Objet. The rusticity and depth of the wall contrasts with the wide expanse of glass in the bedroom, helping to balance it.
The main bedroom in an Austin home features a wall of reclaimed Welsh roof tiles hand-painted in a botanical motif. Photo by Ryann Ford
Cravotta outfitted the high-ceilinged living room of another austin home with an 1890 Sultanabad rug in shades of red and blue, along with lounge chairs and a sofa in different shades of green. Above the fireplace, he hung a multihued acrylic-on-wood painting by local artist Roi James. Photo by Ryann Ford
The living room of a Four Seasons Penthouse features a custom sectional sofa with side tables and lamps by Cravotta Interiors. Photo by Casey Dunn
The open living area on the home’s second floor has a long ribbon of windows — the better to see the canopies of live oaks outside. Cravotta commissioned a sculptural floating fireplace of hand-forged bronze with a granite hearth that helps to ground the airy room, providing a focal point.
Asked about his design influences, Cravotta cites Bruno Moinard, Ilse Crawford and Christophe Delcourt, both for their fresh, modern takes on timeless forms and for their attention to detail and craft. “I’m allergic to trendy,” he states.
Bari Ziperstein Cloud side table, 2020, offered by BZIPPY & CO
“As a former ceramicist, I’m drawn to ceramics in many forms and love seeing the emergence of furniture using the medium. I especially love the work of Bari Ziperstein, for its playful organic forms and fantastic glazes.”
Antonella Scarpitta DS-31 sofa, contemporary, offered by de Sede
“I’m a big fan of vintage de Sede seating. The quality is outstanding and the design timeless. The DS-31 is just one of the coolest lounge chairs ever made.”
Niamh Barry Counterpoise suspended light sculpture, 2014, offered by Maison Gerard
“I’m always drawn to pieces that blur the lines between furniture, lighting and art. Niamh Barry’s evocative forms and beautiful craftsmanship are simply stunning. This piece lets the art float ethereally above the living room, creating wonder and awe.”
Børge Mogensen sofa model 2213, 1963, offered by Studio Schalling
“The Børge Mogensen model 2213 sofa is a modern classic. The lines are strong and graceful yet project a relaxed vibe. This could live easily in a living room, lounge or home office.”
Stephane Parmentier for Giobagnara Scala sideboard, 2021, offered by KOOKU
“I love the simplicity of this striking sideboard by Stephane Parmentier. The leather and wood materiality is quiet in its presentation and delightful to the touch.”
