Interior designer Barbara Barry’s style evokes classic Hollywood stars Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn: serene, sophisticated, timeless. The female form inspires her furniture designs.
“Hopefully the hips aren’t too big, there are good legs and a small waist,” said Barry, describing a chair to an audience of about 200 at KDR Designer Showrooms in St. Louis. Vintage-style photographs of women flashed on a screen between pictures of her interior projects. Soft ivories, muted grays and silvery blues, greens and amethysts make up Barry’s typical palette.
In addition to furniture for Henredon, Baker, McGuire and HBF, Barry designs plumbing for Kallista, tile for Ann Sacks, china for Wedgwood, lighting for Visual Comfort and tea blends for the T Company. She recently created a home fragrance collection.
Magazines often call Barry, who is based in Los Angeles, one of design’s top icons. For more, go to www.barbarabarry.com.
Barry recently gave an interview in St. Louis, where several Kansas City-area interior designers traveled to hear her speak.
Q. Besides the female form, what inspires your design?
A. California. It’s where I’ve always lived. I love nature and the light of the area. And I’m my own muse. If I like it, others will, too.
Q. Your work also is reminiscent of black-and-white films. What movies are your greatest influences?
A. I love the pared down style from the 1940s. Three of my favorite films are “The Conformist” (1970), “The Garden of the Finzi-Continis” (1970) and “Female” (1933). “Female” is the TV show “Mad Men” switched around. Women are calling the shots.
Q. What piece of furniture should every family room have?
A. A great large ottoman for putting up your feet.
Q. How do you feel about this economy?
A. It’s been a spiritual and moral wake-up call. We should focus on gratitude. Most of us have enough.
Q. You have more than a dozen licensing partnerships for products. What’s next?
A. Luggage for the woman on the go. I think she’s been forgotten.
Q. What should people splurge on in their homes?
A. A beautiful bedroom. It’s where we start and end our day. It can help contribute to our sense of well-being.
Q. What are the best examples of cheap chic in your home?
A. Modern lighting and simple storage units from Ikea. I also have an oval waste basket that’s pleasing.
Q. What are your pet peeves?
A. Multitasking. To do things right takes a lot of time. I visit the factories where all my products are made, and I want to meet all the people. I like to search out local craft wherever I travel.
Q. What makes a room blissful?
A. An ironed napkin, a chair for reading and good sheets, towels and flatware. Anything that touches our hands or body should feel luxurious.
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