Barry is a renowned Interior Designer practicing from the Virginia countryside near Washington DC. He has been on Good Morning America and HGTV.
Part of Barry's Design Philosophy
"Successful design emanates a feeling, not just a look. Nuance is employed to fine tune the whole to the personality of the individual. In the best instances the effect is a magical aesthetic harmony that is not initially surprising, at least not jolting. Upon inspection or reflection however, the effect is cleverly unexpected, bridging past with present bringing the best of history into the future."
Barry, welcome to The 2013 Designer Series
1)
Please tell us about your early years and when
Interior Design became your lifetime calling.
Moving from
place to place in my nomadic childhood, (my dad worked for a foreign
corporation) allowed constant, vibrant change to our living environment. I was
bitten by the design bug early on…
2) Your own home, Historic Elway Hall, an Edwardian style Estate which includes 17 fireplaces in the Virginia Countryside
My personal
style, yes, but each of our clients has his/her own style.
3) Where do you derive the inspiration that
ultimately leads to a fabric in your sumptuous Collection with Vervain, the
unique Collection with Moussa and Arteriors, or your Bespoke Furnishings with Tomlinson?
Anywhere and everywhere! Foreign cultures, our aesthetic past,
abstractions of form, color, and of course, primarily, the natural world
around us…
4)
Your use of color is renowned! How does the
space call to you a certain combination of blues, violets, and amethyst for
example? Do you try to adhere to your client’s idea of color or suggest to them
they give you the freedom to surprise them?
Of course we
find out what colors our clients love, as a start. But we also look beyond the
windows of a space and pay homage to the “view of the world” that is innate
to every room…
5)
Details, Details, Details! As one’s eyes wander
around one of your rooms, nothing jumps out startlingly; however nearly every
single piece of furniture, fabric, curtain panel, or accessory has your mark on
it. Distinctly unique. When does this talent of the perfect trim or use of an
antique come to you in the design process?
1)
This comes near the end of each individual
concept… Big picture to fine-tuned detail. For a window treatment we’d first
imagine the general shape & complexity of the best overall solution; then
the fabric/pattern/color that seems appropriate, then the trim &
application that modifies/underscores our approach in the best way.
6)
How important is the inclusion of original art
and antiques to you in a design project?
Absolutely imperative… art and
antiques
are not only the soul of the interior, but the most personal elements of
expression.
7)
Barry, whose works do you admire and also have
you had a mentor in the business?
No actual mentor, but I’m heavily
influenced by many… Lutyens, Fortuny and Morris come to mind, and more
recently Albert Hadley, Rose Tarlow and John Saladino have changed the way I
see things.
8)
Finally what words of advice do you have for
the beginning entrepreneur?
Be brave and original, yet pay homage to the
evolution of design…
Thank you as well to my readers who support the arts !
Excellent! Thank you so much Barry for sharing so much of your design aesthetic and these gorgeous images!
I know that Barry would appreciate any comments you would leave !
You can reach Barry through his website BarryDixon.com
His latest books which I highly recommend are:
Barry Dixon Inspirations and Barry Dixon Interiors
Purchase at Barry Dixon Books
I received copies of these to review and trust me,you will spend hours browsing through every sumptuous page!
Thank you as well to my readers who support the arts !
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
29 comments:
Hi Karena,
Barry Dixon is one of my design heroes--always on point and creative.
xoxo
Mary
Very creative and stylish!! Thanks for sharing his thoughts and work!! I like it!!
Ozana
Hi: I loved reading about BD + he is a favorite. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
What a treat, Karena! Thanks for this interview with one of the biggest designers working today. Enjoyed it!! I'm a huge Barry fan.
x Loi
Karena...great interview...and with such a talented and well known designer....you go girl!
I really enjoyed this interview & now must get Ronda's book to see more of Barry's home!
Keri
Your posts always inspire me! And of course, Barry is one of my absolute favorites! I had so much fun doing a post on him about a year ago, I think? Not sure…but this was wonderful! I have loved getting to know him better this past year. Thanks for sharing this and for stopping by Vintage Mulberry! I've missed being a part of my blogging world lately! It's so good to hear from you!
Karena
What a wonderful post honoring a most talented designer. I am particularly enamored of that lovely kitchen!
Great interview!!!
Great interview. I've met Barry and he really is a genuine person with such a lovely manner - a true top notch person, along with being such a wonderful designer.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Very informative interview, he is a good designer and a good human being :)
Best wishes
How lovely. His work is new to me, but the rooms depicted look full of comfort and grace. Interior design is my favourite branch of the High Arts; let's have more!
And thanks for your kind wishes, Karena, and I hope you are keeping very well.
It seems that your grandfather had some priceless business advice. It make sense if you had two different businesses in one then you would be statistically more likely to succeed.
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An amazingly talented man!
The cone lights are incredible! Great interview and photos!
xo
Sharon
Thank you all for great comments, I know Barry loves them and do share with friends!!
xoxo
Karena
Karena...I so loved this interview...Barry Dixon is one of my very favorite designers!...to the point where I had my hubby drive me to a Southern Accents Showcase Home years ago (over a 4 hour drive) near the Homestead in Virginia...the home was over the top gorgeous...We toured it for hours...then we had a great late lunch at the Homestead...then a long drive home..I know, my hubby, what a guy, but he knew how much I loved Barry Dixon's designs....well worth the long day and drive!!!...Thanks Karena!
Barry is certainly a talented designer....... Love the shot with the back of the dining chairs....
Very nice post.
Maryanne xxoo
OH MY! Those grays, whites and kitchen and foyer images are sleek and stunning. You always feature the most gorgeous designers! Hello Karen! I am loving your new profile photo, and thank you so much for coming to read my post. All is well. I hope that you are enjoying a recovery period that will only lead to strength and vitality for the coming winter. Hugs and thank you that we are always together somehow, some way. Anita
Nice works Barry! Are those pictures posted were yours? I would love to renovate my kitchen but still working on a budget. I hope I can afford you. Thanks!
Great interview, Karena! I love Barry's philosophy on design and the importance of color, art and antiques. Thank you.
Another inspiring interview Karena!
To be 'brave & original' is fabulous advice and can be applied to so many areas in life...thank you Barry!
xo J~
Such a great interview Karena. Barry is not only super talented but quite dishy too:)
Good morning Karen!!!!
Wishing YOU a healing day in all ways. Thank you my dear friend for coming to leave a comment. You are so dear...Anita
Beautiful work! Wonderful interview Karena!
Jennifer :)
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading this post..Good job.
One of my favorites! I love this!
Have a great weekend!
Best,
Christina :)
Wow! I love Barry Dixon's designs, they are extraordinary!
Wow! I love Barry Dixon's designs, they are extraordinary!
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