Reviews
"When you open Barbara Barry: Around Beauty , you step inside the designer's world. Barry approaches the book almost as if it were her diary, sharing how she finds inspiration in the world around her. Stories about previous projects are interspersed with the objects and vignettes that move her.. The book is a passionate study in discovering what moves you, and how to use that to create unforgettable interiors." ~ Veranda Magazine "Barbara Barry is, of course, one of the doyennes of interior design and her aesthetic of pared down, uptown and quiet glamour has inspired many, including this writer." ~ Forbes.com "In this, her first book, she uses stunning photography and carefully composed prose to explain how you can achieve her well-ordered and Zen lifestyle." ~ Washington Post "...gorgeous new book....showcases a refined, sensual, well-ordered aesthetic that will leave you dreaming of room makeovers for the New Year." ~ Sheridan Road "This is a biography, a memoir, and idea book, and it is provocative and beautiful. A jewel box, indeed, and I'd love to know so much more." ~ Stylesaloniste.com, "Barbara Barry has provided an exclusive look into how she achieves a nurturing and beautiful home...revealing her principles to design and offering up how to incorporate them into our homes. If we can't get her in our house having her on the shelf is the next best thing!" ~ Society Diaries Magazine "Thankfully she is sharing her philosophy in what will become a collector's tome for her fans and design aficionados alike...her book covers the basic principles and application of good design, as Barry shares her tricks of the trade. It's truly a beautiful book and long overdue." ~ Array Magazine "When you open Barbara Barry: Around Beauty , you step inside the designer's world. Barry approaches the book almost as if it were her diary, sharing how she finds inspiration in the world around her. Stories about previous projects are interspersed with the objects and vignettes that move her...The book is a passionate study in discovering what moves you, and how to use that to create unforgettable interiors." ~ Veranda Magazine "Barbara Barry is, of course, one of the doyennes of interior design and her aesthetic of pared down, uptown and quiet glamour has inspired many, including this writer." ~ Forbes.com "In this, her first book, she uses stunning photography and carefully composed prose to explain how you can achieve her well-ordered and Zen lifestyle." ~ Washington Post "...gorgeous new book....showcases a refined, sensual, well-ordered aesthetic that will leave you dreaming of room makeovers for the New Year." ~ Sheridan Road "This is a biography, a memoir, and idea book, and it is provocative and beautiful. A jewel box, indeed, and I'd love to know so much more." ~ Stylesaloniste.com, "When you open Barbara Barry: Around Beauty , you step inside the designer's world. Barry approaches the book almost as if it were her diary, sharing how she finds inspiration in the world around her. Paint palettes are often the result of staring out the windows of a client's home-a grove of redwoods influenced the rich brown dining table and blue-green pillows and porcelains she used in a 1920s Piedmont home. In fact, Barry always has a $12.99 watercolor kit on hand when she travels so that she can design products as ideas come to her. Stories about previous projects are interspersed with the objects and vignettes that move her, like the milky toffee-and-cream-swirled horn bracelet that has helped her design rugs, fabrics, and entire rooms. The book is a passionate study in discovering what moves you, and how to use that to create unforgettable interiors." ~Veranda Magazine
Synopsis
The first book from acclaimed interior designer Barbara Barry explores the beauty and principles of good design. Barbara Barry's work has long been praised for its quiet refinement, soothing palette, and graceful furnishings, as well as for its ravishing tailoring and coloring. In her first book, Barry explores her design philosophy, meditating on the transformative power of beauty. Through a discussion of her principles of good design--simplicity, proportion, and harmony--we discover how to apply these principles to our rooms and to our lives. Through page after page of gorgeous, subtle, feminine interiors, Barry explains her design process and shares thought-provoking stories. She discusses what inspires her, from the quality of light to the colors of nature, and illustrates how she utilizes nature in decoration. From the simple strength of a white plate to the sensual elegance of a well-made bed, Barry explains why a gracious life, a well-ordered life, a life around beauty is the only one worth living. In Barbara's world, every detail is harmonious. Comprehensive and beautifully designed, this unique book is a collector's piece for all design fans.
