Donna Lennard has always collected beautiful things. These items, antiques and artisanal objects she found over the years in rural Italy, have often become part of the décor in her restaurants – known for their romantic, rustic atmosphere and their tasty seasonal menus of Italian cuisine. Lennard’s rustic, yet modern chic aesthetic is perfectly incorporated into her houseware line, Il Buco Vita, on display at the new flagship store on Second Street in the Bowery – just a block away from Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria.
Lennard shared her thoughts with us on what made her decide to create the homeware line, finding the right space for a flagship store, setting the perfect table, and her plans for her lifestyle brand.
How do you define Il Buco Vita’s style?
Rustic, back to the old days, with modern touches. The techniques used are old, but the styles are more modern – so it’s kind of a combination. Some of the pieces are quite rustic, such as beautiful splattered lines in green and cream colors, made in the very old style (Montegranaro). We also carry a collection made with rare black clay from Umbria that is very modern – our biggest seller (Assisi). It is glazed in white, gray, plum, and okra. 90% of the items from Il Buco Vita are made by artisans in Italy – in the regions of Le Marche, Tuscany and Umbria.
Why did you decide to start a homeware collection?
We started in antique store in 1994 on Bond Street before we opened the restaurant – and I always loved collecting things. My friends in Umbria who grew up with my original partner, Alberto Avalle, are two cousins named Lorenzo and Antonello Radi; the first is an architect who does all the spaces for Brunello Cucinelli worldwide, and the other is a kind of a Renaissance man that paints, gardens, knows all the local antique dealers and artisans, and is always on the lookout for interesting things. His palazzo in the center of Foligno is full of all the things he collected over the years. The two of them always came back and forth to the States, and we would visit them in Italy. We dreamt for years of creating an artisanal homeware line, with the goal of helping to preserve the artisanal work in Italy. They helped me with the design of Alimentari, and while finding all the antiques for the restaurant, they were also sourcing things for the collection. When I was knee-deep in the opening of Alimentari, they decided they wanted to launch the line, and they sent a container of items that we used for a pop-up inside the restaurant. I was left with a lot of pieces and found a showroom space on Bond Street. It was this old world New York loft with a fireplace and old floors – similar to the ones at il Buco when we first opened. It became a destination, a secret little place.
How did you find your new retail space?
We were in our Bond Street showroom for three-and-a-half years – but it was on the second floor, so it was difficult to get foot traffic. We took a space in Great Jones, in front of Basquiat’s studio, for a holiday pop-up from September to December; it did really well, so we extended our presence through the rest of the year. However, it never had that cozy feeling; it always felt like a pop-up. I mentioned this to John Derian, and soon after, he told me that his neighbor’s space had become available. It is perfect for Il Buco Vita; it really looks like us.
How is the line doing? Any other plans for your lifestyle brand?
The company is growing. Being in retail has been great – and when it comes to wholesale, we started doing trade shows, which has broadened our horizons. We are trying to expand our lifestyle brand in Ibiza in Spain, in the space that shares a terrace with our restaurant Bottega Il Buco. We are planning to open a cocktail bar and a home concept store and combine the spaces to throw parties. I am also finishing a lifestyle cookbook that will be published on October 27.
How would you set a chic table?
It wouldn’t have a table cloth. I like wooden tables. I would use my Vita dinnerware – along with pieces from our hand-blown glassware. One line is simple and modern. The other is very original, from an incredible artist outside of Rome in the Maremma region – who works out of a garage in the back of her house, and collects recycled glass from her neighbors (La Riccia). They have beautiful forms – like her decanters, that have breasts and wings. She is very whimsical. Her glasses are very unusual, and each one is different from the other. Then I would use some double-wick twisted candles with a huge flame when lit – I like to throw in a romantic touch (Collepino from Bevagna, Umbria). Finally, linens are important too; choosing nice materials and matching tones is important. You’ll be able to see some of my favorite table setting ideas in my upcoming book.
Donna Lennard gave this interview at the end of February. To ensure the safety of clients and staff, the Buco Vita on 2nd Street is operating at a limited capacity until further notice. Webshop is open 24/7. At present they are fulfilling online orders regularly and are offering special pickup options to our NYC neighbors. Waiting for updates from the city, the Buco restaurants are closed. Support the Buco family > https://www.gofundme.com/f/il-buco-family-fund
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