Hubbub

FRANK CAMPANALE, owner of new home-furnishings boutique Diseño (409 Harrison Avenue, Boston, 617.423.2008), explains how a 25-year South End resident (and an Italian, to boot) fell headlong into a passionate love affair with South America - and its couches.

Q: What is it about South America that draws you to it?

A: I left my corporate job about six years ago, and I took a month off and traveled around South America. I went to Brazil and Peru and Chile and was really excited about what I found there - the natural beauty of the countries and the cities, but also the sophistication and the style and the people and food and wine and music and things like that. And ancient traditions, as well.

Q: What is it that appeals to you about South American design?

A: I think it's the lifestyle and how the lifestyle impacts the interiors. For example, imagine your living room, where it has more of the atmosphere of a lounge. It has more of a variety of textures and colors, perhaps. [It's] more relaxed, maybe [incorporates] more vibrant colors, a little touch of some of the old, traditional textiles. But [it] also [has] very contemporary leather and fabrics and things like that.

Q: How do you go about choosing pieces for the store?

A: First and foremost, we're looking for contemporary design and craftsmanship. And things that are unusual; things that you don't necessarily see [in this country].

Q: What's the story with the music in the store?

A: Music is such a part of that part of the world. You can't get away from it when you're down there. There's a music café and store in Buenos Aires called Notorious, and I just wandered in there six or seven years ago and ended up staying for three hours and walking away with 17 CDs. We ended up negotiating an arrangement with them, so we have their database of music on [Diseño's] listening stations, and we're selling the CDs as well.

Q: When you're in Boston, where else do you shop for home décor?

A: I will always breeze through Montage, Showroom, and Adesso to see what's new in those stores. I love the women who opened Devi Home. They're wonderful, and they've got such a great selection of Buddhas - I think everyone needs a Buddha or two. I also like the other boutique stores in the South End, like Voila and Lekker and Hudson.

Q: How do you see the store evolving in the upcoming months?

A: I would say, more art and more touches of antiques. We've just brought in a lot more of the textiles, but we've also brought in some antiques. We brought in a new line of ceramic dishes and tableware that we're really excited about - more focus on tableware and even glassware. And then, continuing with animal skins: cowhides. We've got some really outrageous pillows. I think there are a lot of people that have kind of a pillow fetish. We're trying to cater a little bit to that.