I have been in love with Barbara Barry’s interiors my entire adult life. Everything about Barbara Barry’s design aesthetic is sophisticated and classic with a modern flair. She not only designs the most amazing interiors, but she is also one of the most influential furniture designers of the last few decades, from tables and seating options to lighting and accessories. I prefer to reference her interiors when planning any new design job. I always come away inspired. Here are just a few of my favorite Barbara Barry spaces. It is difficult to choose just a few because I love everything she does! I recently read her book, “Around Beauty”. It is a must-add to your interior design library. I have linked it on the bottom.
“Simplicity is a bit of a misnomer, really. In trying to achieve it in design (and in life), it’s actually quite complex. It takes a lot of effort to look effortless., but it is definitely worth the struggle because when seeing it, tasting it, or feeling its effects, it’s simply wonderful.” Barbara Barry
This room is so fresh and vibrant. Each upholstered piece is designed by Barbara Barry. Her interiors are timeless. She sticks to simplicity, fresh fabrics, and clean lines.This bedroom is so feminine and cozy. Each piece and fabric so carefully selected with Barry’s classic signature.Barbara Barry also designs magnificent lighting fixtures. I love this Barry chandelier along with the modern furniture pieces combined with the classic architecture of the home.“Beauty holds my world together; it fulfills a need in my soul; it helps me survive. Beauty is my inspiration for my life and for my work. I find its qualities evocative, and always in its presence I pause, aware of the mysterious becoming visible.” Barbara BarryI love the simplicity of Barbara Barry’s window treatments. These elegant roman shades add just the right amount of privacy without taking away from the aesthetics of the room. “Windows shouldn’t look like party dresses.Think of window treatments architecturally, as extensions of the wall. Treat them simply with a fabric that’s the same color as the wall so that you enlarge rather than constrain the space.” Barbara BarryBarry strikes a perfect combination of feminine and masculine in this gorgeous living room. “Restrained color palettes bring order to the chaos of life. The best design strikes a balance between toughness and gentleness. I’m always looking to blend a line and a curve; if I make a chair with a straight leg, it will have a curved back. Geometry offset by sensuality inevitably stands the test of time, and resonates with every taste, both masculine and feminine.” Barbara Barry“Quality counts. Once you’ve slept on soft sheets or dried off with a fluffy white towel or sipped tea from a porcelain cup, you understand how the smallest details can have an enormous impact on your sense of well-being. The body knows quality. So I say buy less, but buy at the highest level you can afford.” Barbara Barry“I love the crisp soft white illuminated by the gorgeous natural light in this room. “Sometimes the colors of a room are predetermined. My job is to show up, look outside, and observe a decision that has already been made, usually by nature.” Barbara Barry
“Ephemeral and fluid, there are times when color seems to be awaiting just the right conditions to make its shift.” Barbara Barry
As you can see from this small sampling of Barry’s work, her designs are harmonious, classic, and always calming. This is what Barry has to say, “What emerges out of harmony? Calm. my favorite design refrain. And creating calm through harmonious interiors is central to my world and my work.”
If you would like to find out more about Barbara Barry, her life and work, I highly suggest “Around Beauty” linked below.
