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
