Barbara Barry is a designer whose work seems to be everywhere. We at 3rings previously covered her Hollywood glamour collection of bathroom fittings for Kallista, with its gleaming mirrored vanities and shiny chrome details. We also wrote about Barry’s Oval Egg Occasional Tables, which carry the fecund associations of the life-giving ovum. Now Barry is lending her luxurious style to an entire suite of furniture for Baker. The Barbara Barry Collection includes everything from beds and nightstands to chests and etageres, dining chairs and sideboards to sofas and ottomans. These “timeless furnishings” are meant to “inspire a life of beauty.”

Barbara Barry Collection. Designed by Barbara Barry. Manufactured by Baker.

Classic Furniture Offers Sophistication and Livability

The Oval X-Back Chair, which happens to be the single most published item at Baker, presents “a twist on a French Neoclassic form.” The X on the back of the upholstered chair challenges the soft lines of the oval back and seat, as well as the graceful curve of the chair’s tapered legs. Upholster the Oval X-Back Chair in pure white and finish it in ebony wood to create a look that will complement contemporary schemes. Or choose an ornate, textured fabric in gold or gray for a traditional space.

In the bedroom, the Barbara Barry Collection transforms sophistication into sumptuousness. The Lyric Tufted Bed “brings a lovely line to the bedroom with its gracious curves and gentle arc frame.” Constructed of maple solids and veneers, Lyric can be finished in Brunette (rich brown), Plume (soft gray), or Raven (black). The bed comes in non-tufted and headboard-only versions. The Lyric Tufted Bed is at home in fairy tale boudoirs and French chateaus—in Plume, it could be the bed for Sleeping Beauty, while in Raven it belongs to the Wicked Queen.

Wherever you put it, “from the dining room to living room to the bedroom,” the Diamond Chest will illuminate your space. Available in silver or gold leaf with a Chinese Red interior, Diamond Chest features the facets of a well-cut gem. For a more modern home, Diamond Chest can be finished in black or white lacquer with Chinese Red interior—these options put all the emphasis on the fantastic shapes of the piece.

The Barbara Barry Collection for Baker recognizes “how we live today” and yet keeps “an eye toward tomorrow.” The idea was for the designer to showcase her signature style, as well as Baker’s excellent craftsmanship. The end result is a group of furnishings that “create a certain mood”—one of refinement and splendor.

About the Manufacturer: Baker began at the end of the nineteenth century when Dutch immigrant craftsman Siebe Baker partnered with Henry Cook to create a woodworking firm (then titled Cook & Baker) that created doors, window sashes, and blinds. By the 1920s, Hollis Baker changed the aesthetic of the company, seeking to create fashionable, collectable furniture; at this time, Baker designed pieces inspired by the Bauhaus and Art Deco styles. Since then, Baker has been known for their elegant collection of furniture, including desks, chairs, beds, benches, sideboards, dining tables, and more.