Barrie Livingstone has always had a passion for design. Throughout his whole life, he’s always wanted to design homes. For example, at the age of ten, this young designer would help his parents design their home. Now Livingstone is a world-renowned interior designer, who is about to open his first store, House of Barrie.
With success Livingstone has had throughout his career, he is now venturing more towards the most groundbreaking work yet by opening up his own store called House of Barrie. The store, soon to open in Los Angeles, California, will carry numerous outdoor and indoor design elements, including art, mirrors, household appliances, diffusers, and candles. Although the store will be located in California, customers can still order Livingstone designs from anywhere in the United States.
House of Barrie will have many brands, including Michael Aram, Jusliska, Port 68, Annie Selke, and many more. “It is my hope that people are inspired when they walk into the shop and find something that they will fall in love with and always treasure.” As Barrie explained, his main goal for the store is to make his customers happy and inspired.
Livingstone’s design style is a mix of a wide variety of different colors and of vintage and more modern pieces. This type of interior design can make a home look classic and timeless.
Barrie explains that his inspiration comes from the English countryside he grew up by. There he was in awe of the old homes and castles surrounding his town. He became curious about what type of interior design each of those homes had inside. His passion for design made him go on to further his education revolving around interior design and real estate. Livingstone attended the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, and High Point University.
These schools provided Livingstone with the opportunity to become an expert in his craft. He explains his work as “like writing a movie script.” Livingstone explains the importance of designing an empty space. He states, “What people don’t realize when designing their own home is that they are a character, they are the main character, and they are the brief. People never look at themselves that way, so it’s up to a designer to understand the fully developed character.”
You can find most of his unique designs in Cabo San Lucas and California. Both of these places are surrounded by coastal beaches and tropical weather. Barrie explains his primary request with homes in these locations is making sure each home must have access outside along with a perfect view. “Having an interior designer in your back pocket as a realtor is truly a gift. We’re selling space or selling lifestyles… A home is the most expensive investment most of us will ever make, so it would make perfect sense that that investment is looked after properly and presented in the best light whether you’re going to live in it or ready to sell.” Barrie explains.
This well-known designer even had the privilege to work with one of the world’s most famous celebrities, Cher. Livingstone designed her 16,000 sq ft mansion located in Malibu, CA. The design elements he used were his own unique style by using Cher’s English Gothic Antique decor with a twist of modernization.
From gaining this experience and making a name for himself, Livingstone has appeared on a wide range of television shows, including “HGTV, TLC, BBC Four, and the Discovery Channel.” Livingstone has also helped with different projects, including working with flipping homes, corporate office buildings, yachts, and resorts. Some other well-known places he has worked with are “Marriott hotels, Intercontinental Hotel Group, and Southern Sun.”
By having this successful career, Livingstone came out with his own book called “Interior Design Tips Every Realtor Should Know.” This book can help other inspiring interior designers and give realtors design tips about how to sell different homes through the use of interior design. As Livingstone explains, his best tip for anyone aspiring to work in the design industry states, “Persistence, perseverance, and determination are all you will need. Coupled together with some mad socializing skills and networking magic.”
For more information on House of Barrie, visit House of Barrie.
