Barbara Barry for Baker & Kallista

Last night I was privileged to be invited to the VIP event to celebrate the Barbara Barry collections for Baker and Kallista. Barbara's visit to Hong Kong has been long awaited. Looooong awaited, I tell you. So I schlepped my copy of her book into Central on a rainy night, and I was not disappointed. I am not at all embarrassed to admit I behaved like a star struck groupie when my turn to speak to her came. What a lovely, gracious and elegant woman she is. We had a brief chat, talked about Australia (that leg of her upcoming tour was cancelled, unfortunately), and she complimented me on my necklace (okay, I might have died and gone to heaven at that moment), and then I complimented her on her book....and I may have gushed a bit. Just a little bit...

All in all it was a fun night, I  managed to catch up some people I hadn't seen in a while, and of course thoroughly enjoyed hearing Barbara speak about her inspirations. Very inspiring indeed. What a way to start the week!

Around Barbara

If you are a fan of the quiet, refined chic that Barbara Barry exudes, like I am, then go check out her newly revamped website. It's divine.

Today I'm loving...

The new home fragrance line by Barbara Barry. A different fragrance for each room, along with coordinating soaps or candles, they're available online through her website. The bedroom scent consisting of vanilla and nutmeg would be my choice.

Barbara Barry tribute

One of my all time favorite interior designers is Barbara Barry. My current obsession with American interior design all started with her. I remember searching for every scrap of info, any photo I could find and was thrilled when her website was created. In my opinion she has created some of the most beautiful and elegant interiors, and some even more beautiful furniture and product designs. She was my idol. Well, she still is really, but let's just say I've branched out. Not so much moved on, but I'm exploring other options. Since I started reading blogs and I started my own I've discovered so many other talented designers around the world, but mostly in the US, and have been a bit neglectful of my original mentor. So I thought it was about time that I paid tribute to the woman who got me started on this journey. Here are just a few of my favorites...

Let's hope my slipper chair looks this stylish once its been recovered!

Barbara Barry

Barbara Barry is one of my all time favorite designers, so it's suprising how long it's taken for me to post about her. To me, she has a innate sense of timeless style that exudes grace and femininity. I have loved almost everything she has designed, from her beautiful interiors, to the products she has designed for a multitude of companies.

This particular project is a 12,000 square foot home in Piedmont, California. It's a french style mansion, built in 1922 and designed by architect Albert Farr. Barry says she was inspired by the work of Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Paul Dupre-Lafon when re-designing the entire interior of the house, right down to the wine cellar. The house is furnished with a mix of french antiques purchased on a trip to Paris, pieces from her furniture collections with Baker, lighting from her collection with Boyd, and some custom designed pieces.

The grand facade.

To me this room is so classic, and I can't stop looking at it. I don't know how servicable it would be with all those pale colours though (but I'm guessing with that kind of money you don't need to worry about practicalities). Barry designed most of the pieces in the living room. Furniture from Baker, lighting from Boyd, and rug from Tufenkian. Fabrics from Cowtan & Tout.

Armchair is from Amy Perlin antiques in NY, fabric from Manuel Canovas.

I just adore this image, the room is just so beautiful. I love everything, from the drapes, to - well let's just say I love it all. Details same as above.

A 1961 Richard Diebenkorn painting sits above the sofa.

I love the colours of this room, it's very elegant, but also not too feminine. A 1940's Bagues chandelier sits above a custom table and chairs in the dining room, fabric by Great Plains. Vintage french wallpaper panel hangs on rear wall.

I think this is definitely the prettiest sun room I've ever seen. The walls are covered in a chinoiserie silk wallpaper. Upholstered pieces are custom, fabric on side chair from Scalamandre, sofa and club chair fabric from Cowtan & Tout. The colours in here are just so easy on the eye which makes for a very relaxing retreat.

The master bedroom is a medley of lavender and misty-greys. It has a very 1940's feel about it too, very chic. Furniture is from Barry's collection for Baker.

The same colour palette was use throughout the master suite, into the adjoining powder room. Very pretty indeed.

Classic kitchen, made a little less formal looking with the straw blinds. I love the contrast between the black and the white, together with the wood floors and the sandy coloured straw blinds.