Barbara barry shares furnishing philosophy

Barbara barry shares furnishing philosophy

The influential home designer gave well-heeled guests at the Paragon insight into her creative processes in a keynote address and latest collection, and also signed copies of her new book

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE

Internationally renowned designer Barbara Barry was recently in Bangkok at the invitation of Chanintr Living to present her latest home furnishing collection, as well as sign copies of her book, Barbara Barry: Around Beauty.

Attending the exclusive event at the Baker showroom at Siam Paragon were designers and celebrities with a passion for the finer things in life including Sorapoj and Chotipol Techakraisri, Chadatip Chutrakul, Salisar Eiammanoch, Suthanee Chayangpath, Atita Sutadarat and Pensupa Gajaseni.

The large, warmly lit hall of Baker showroom was set up as a cosy but elegant living room decorated with the latest collection by Barbara Barry. Featuring prominently was the oval X-back dining chair in gold leaf accents which could be adapted to both contemporary and traditional interior design schemes.

The event started when emcee Sawitri "June" Rochanapruk invited the host, Chanintr Sirisant, CEO of Chanintr Living, to give a welcome speech. He was followed by Ms Barry, who talked about the inspiration for her first book. Rather than just publishing a coffee table book on decorating, she said, she decided to share with readers anecdotes of her own experiences that reflect her design philosophy.

Speaking of the collection, Ms Barry said, "I like taking original pieces in their new finishes and blending them with the new collection. There is a simple elegance to the collection in which each piece has been pared down to live in harmony with other pieces, whether from my collection, other collections, antiques or modern pieces."

Following the speech was the lucky draw session, with Ms Barry presenting her watercolour painting of the Folie mirror to a happy winner.

The event was rounded up with Ms Barry giving a personalised signature to each buyer of the Around Beauty book.

Since she established Barbara Barry Inc in Los Angeles in 1985, Ms Barry has created residential spaces for high-profile clients around the world, for example Michael Ovitz's house, the Savoy and Berkeley hotels in London and the Avon Spa in Manhattan.

She has been inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame by Interior Design magazine and named to the annual Architectural Digest list of the World's 100 Best Designers.

"I have a passion for process and find inspiration through observation and awareness," she once said. "I am taken by the simplest things _ the shape of an egg, the colour of water in a bathtub, the clouds in the sky."On the subject of interior design, she said, "I believe people want more thoughtful interiors that reflect themselves and not a design trend.

"Modernism is here to stay but there has been an evolution in its approach; there is more warmth and simplicity, which I believe is the ultimate luxury."

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