Christian Busk has genuinely transformed the Southwest Florida landscape for nearly four decades, so it’s not surprising that his new business inspires high-end solutions inside and out for local homeowners and commercial designers.
The award-winning landscape architect’s new 41 Home & Garden store — appropriately setting up shop in the Naples Design District — helps create inviting points of interest in a 2,100-square-foot showroom full of fine furnishings and décor on the corner of Third Avenue North and 10th Street North. Through 41 Home & Garden, locals can benefit from everything Busk has personally collected and curated in his spare time over many years from a variety of sources.
“I have a passion for just finding cool things for cool people,” he said.
Christian Busk
As a self-proclaimed consignment junkie and antique collector, Busk has collected high-quality pieces from clients and many other sources. “It’s just amazing what people have brought down to Florida,” he said. “We just have a treasure trove of things to pick from.”
While still in grade school, Busk thoroughly enjoyed accompanying his parents to estate auctions in West Palm Beach. “I got really excited about that stuff. I wanted to go back after college,” he said, “I go back there just for the entertainment, and I find different things I want to put in my store. So, I ended up collecting all these things for 40 years.”
Busk also has discovered many unique items by traveling the world. “I went everywhere. I picked up things from Brazil, from China, France, Italy, wherever. I just bring back things every time with me,” he said. “What happens is I get so much stuff I can’t use it all, but I like it all. I just have always found different things from different places.”
His new store, which celebrated its grand opening Oct. 16, features furniture, lamps, light fixtures, mirrors, art and many other furnishings.
“Some of the stuff flies out of there because it’s hard to find,” Busk said. “Some of the pieces I would keep in my house forever, but I just don’t have room for them.”
Busk moved from the east coast of Florida to Naples in 1979 with University of Florida degrees in both landscape architecture and horticulture. He started his landscape architect business more than 35 years ago, expertly turning blah into beautiful to create an immersive outdoor ambiance for residents and the ultimate curb appeal for passersby. He has seamlessly coordinated with architects and interior designers to create memorable and practical solutions for homes, combining his passion for creating landscapes as works of art with his love of interior décor.
“I have been furnishing my friends’ homes and businesses for years,” he said.
A longtime local preservationist, Busk has relocated and preserved many historic structures, including the home of Naples founder Walter Haldeman. Busk moved the Haldeman house from its beachfront location near the Naples Pier to his property in Bonita Springs, where he lives in the historic home today.
“It’s never for the weak or faint of heart,” he said. “I love being in control of everything. I get to play architect, interior designer and landscape architect, all in one. So, I didn’t have anybody telling me what to do, but I did what I thought was right to give these houses new life.”
Busk’s love of classics is apparent at his new shop with items such as a 16th century Ming coffee table with an oxblood finish and a French linen upholstered bed and wing chairs. With inventory from his massive collection stored throughout Naples, Busk will continually refresh items on display and for sale.
The showroom of the new 41 Home & Garden, 997 Third Ave. N., has been staged in 10 different attractive living areas by Wes Ferrin, an interior designer based in Naples and Palm Beach. The store is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and by special appointment.
