This Italian Interior Designer Provides A Crisp, Clean, and calming European Presentation for the Home

by Katrina Musto •Photos By Robert Nuzzie

It all started with a wish to create something unique that would take consumers away from the hustle of everyday life and transport them to romance and timeless European luxury. Zagara Home, an Oakhurst bed and bath boutique, was created in 2006 by Catherine La Marca and founded on her passion for design, culture, and history. Her Italian heritage brought with it an appreciation for fine textiles and heirloom linens, such as those hand embroidered by her mother and grandmother.

As a child in Sicily, she grew up with an abundance of rich fabrics and pristine marble floors and learned that home was an escape from the cares of the world.

“ Today, families need such a refuge even more,” the interior designer said. “ All the products in the Zagara Home collection reflect my passion for quality and craftsmanship, along with the hope that they will be the heirlooms of tomorrow.”

La Marca’s collection is lavish but uncluttered, and presented in a crisp white color palette as well as in plush fabrics reminiscent of the velvety white petals of the orange blossom (in Italian, zagara means “ shine,” or “ sparkle white” ). Her collection spans from bath linens to bathroom furniture as well as upholstered furniture La Marca designs herself. The house’s signature scent is reminiscent of old world innocence, harmony, purity in its Mediterranean blossom notes.

The most popular items are from the bath collection, including 100% Italian linen towels with a classic adjourn border. Bathroom vanities combine craftsmanship and design as well as the flexibility of custom color and size, while the upholstered velvet furniture conveys simplicity and versatility.

A hot color trend for 2017 is a more earthly color palette and a softer silhouette. “ In metals, we will see a mixture—polished nickel, with silver still being very strong, but gold still in first place,” she said. “ In textile, there will be a big comeback to simplicity and organic material such as linen followed by silk and cashmere. Velvet is also making a big entrance, both in apparel and interiors.

Zagara Home 1914 Route 35 Oakhurst / 732.737.1741 zagarahome.com