An Exclusive Interview with Britto-Charette – To introduce Britto-Charette briefly is to say they are a high-energy, multi-lingual design team and thrive on creating luxurious interiors. The unique projects they have created through the years have placed them atop of an interior design pedestal in Miami.
Britto-Charette interior designs reflect the modern and luxurious tastes and designs of David Charette and Jay Britto.
What David loves the most about his work is the possibility of being creative. The fact that David and Jay are surrounded by people ”at the top of their game” excites and motivates them further. And, of course, having their own business. The most challenging part of David’s career, and, as he stated, exciting, was when he was working with another architecture firm and was sent to the Middle East to work on the Princess Noura University. Since it was a ”fast-tracked project”, things were done really fast.
I was working with people in the San Francisco office, but I was in Beirut, so I had the challenge of trying to coordinate meetings that were 10 hours apart. We worked six days a week, ten hours a day which made it challenging to stay motivated. – David Charette
All of this commotion was during the recession, which, in David’s opinion, brought out the worst of some people during competitive times. It was tough for David to remain positive while facing some unprofessionalism, and to be far away from family and friends during that time took a toll too. Finding the core group of people with whom he could speak with was essential, and helped him through the times, alongside traveling in his free time. Which was also a great inspiration source for him!
When David began his career, he always saw himself design skyscrapers and doing urban planning, but know he wants to do it all David always pushes himself into learning new software and methods, reading, traveling and to become a ”lifelong learner”
Unfortunately, I caught COVID last year and it has impacted my ability to work such long hours without taking a toll on me physically which can be frustrating. But, I am grateful to be in a position where I can work in a profession that I love. – David Charette
David feels happy and motivated when he sees solutions that he thought about years before, or when his predictions become reality. It motivates him to keep pushing the boundaries.
Jay Britto, the other half of Britto-Charette, believes that Instagram is the best way to stay linked to their audience. He states that it was the platform that brought them the newest clients. The way they can curate the profile allows them to post the best pictures of their projects. Instagram is, however, still an incredible platform to be in touch with followers and vendors.
We are so fortunate to have multiple ultra-luxury projects in progress. The Ritz-Carlton in Miami Beach is a penthouse project that is just incredible. We are having so much fun designing it and working with our clients. The inspiration for our design was an outdoor space in Palm Springs (unfortunately, it no longer exists) that we loved. – David Charette
David believes that, due to technologies and vast communication channels, design has become a bit generic. But it comes to a bright side with it, for David, the generalization of furniture and accessory design comes a demand for unique, bespoke items that tell a story. And those unique requests always lead David, Jay, and their team into creating incredible, one-of-a-kind projects. They want to give the clients something no one else in the world has, something unique, like a custom, plaster headboard that has been developed by a skilled artisan for a penthouse project.
Our clients are all unique individuals. There really isn’t a standard client or a standard contract. When we work with clients, everything is unique to them. Everything is different and every one of our clients has a different take on design and what they want us to create. – David Charette
The studio is excited to be working on new iterations of their WASI home accessories. With a collaboration with GLS Stone Group, the KINSA has been reimagined in stone, and it is being handcrafted in Venice by the Incredible glassmakers. The same glassmakers are making the Sun&Moon Puquios sculptures. Alongside all of thise, they are also working with Kyle Bunting for a rug collab and with ArtSpaceNYC for a unique headboard element for the Ritz-Carlton in Miami Beach.
What’s clear to us is that teaming up with the very best people is critical. We can have the best ideas, but we need to collaborate with the best minds—the best means and methods—we need their area of expertise. I can design, but I don’t know how to blow glass. Collaboration and finding the best craftspeople is just a smart way to work and to deliver the best products to our clients. – David Charette
To finalize, for them, it is hard to predict what the future holds for design. But, they do believe that architects and designers will tackle social issues. They obviously can’t do it all by themselves, but they can help people understand some of the issues that surround them in everyday life. David gave us the example of water conservation: ”For instance, when it comes to water conservation, designers and architects understand gray water systems. We can encourage measures to reduce water usage. We can provide perspective.”
