Barbara Barry intends for her furniture designs to connect people to the splendor of the natural world around them. Her lounge chairs, tables and other pieces reflect the influence of the Hollywood Regency style as well as Barry’s admiration for organic materials and the subdued color palettes of the great outdoors. Simple and calming, her furniture is quietly elegant and has garnered Barry renown worldwide as a leader in interior design.
A native of California, Barry was surrounded by artists from the moment she was born and credits her mother with instilling a strong sense of confidence in her. Barry’s mother, a painter, encouraged her to nurture her creative impulses. The designer initially pursued a degree in art — she is an active painter today — but quickly eschewed the norms of formal education, leaving school to travel through Europe.
While traveling, Barry fell in love with the wines and cheeses of the cities she visited, inspiring her to open her own cheese shop in Mendocino upon her return to California. Her predilection for interior design quickly began to show itself as she went about setting up and running her store, and Barry began drawing designs for her own furniture. She moved to Los Angeles and established her own design firm in 1985.
Working with small local businesses to get her pieces made, she became more passionate about expressing herself through her furniture and quickly amassed a following for her work. Today, for its thoughtful merge of clean lines, 1940s Hollywood glamour and the soft palettes of the sea, sky and foliage of her state, her understated furniture is an international success.
Barry is expressly opposed to the use of patterns, opting instead for solid neutrals that pair well with warm brass or vintage bronze lighting fixtures and allow for the colors in a painting on the living room wall to pop. She is focused on bringing harmony and order into a space, and her minimalist designs — acid-washed mahogany side tables, armchairs with dark stained rattan backrests — are sought after by A-list celebrities, politicians and leading manufacturers alike. Barry has created exclusive furniture collections and home decor for legendary brands including Baker Furniture, McGuire Furniture Company and others.
Find Barbara Barry decorative objects, seating, case pieces and more on 1stDibs.
Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan Cane Settee and Armchair
By McGuire, Barbara Barry
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A rare pair of exceptional cane and rattan living room suite designed by Barbara Barry for McGuire in San Francisco, CA. The set is comprised of an "Open Oval Caned Banquette" (MCU10...
Leather, Fabric, Cane, Rattan
Caned Lounge Chair by Barbara Barry for McGuire
By McGuire, Barbara Barry
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice caned lounge chair by Barbara Barry for McGuire Furniture of San Francisco, circa 2006. The chair features a field of the caning ...
Rattan
$28,500 / set
H 28.5 in W 32.5 in D 30 in
Magnificent Pair of Restored Vintage Rattan and Cane Loungers by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
An absolutely stunning pair of organic lounge chairs by McGuire, circa 1980. Beautiful examples from an extremely limited production series. Expertly crafted hardwood frame construction veneered in pencil reed rattan. Incredible workmanship, detail and quality. Exceptional tone setting pieces that will effectively anchor even the largest of rooms. Memorable chairs designed to highlight a cherished room. EXCELLENT RESTORED CONDITION. Meticulous complete professional restoration. The rattan displays...
Rattan, Hardwood, Cane
$2,450 / set
H 34.5 in W 21.5 in D 20 in
Pair of McGuire Style Brighton Pavilion Rattan and Cane Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pair of Vintage Brighton Pavilion McGuire Style Chinese Chippendale Rattan and Split Reed Chairs with Caned Seats attributed to McGuire. Brighton Pavilion refers to the Royal Pavilio...
Rattan
Art Deco Rattan Sofa and Two Armchairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Tropical luxury French art deco suite of furniture having a sofa and two armchairs handcrafted in streamline form with upholstered seats. Tagged La Parisien M. Casas on the backs. ...
Rattan
Barbara Barry for Baker Lounge Chairs
By Barbara Barry, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of elegant lounge chairs, designed by Barbara Barry for Baker, American, circa 21st century.
Upholstery, Wood
$975
H 37.88 in W 23.88 in D 21 in
Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan or Wicker Arm Desk, Dining or Occasional Chair
By Barbara Barry, McGuire
Located in St. Louis, MO
Barbara Barry designed for McGuire Furniture of San Francisco. Dark stained Rattan dining chair, can be used as a desk chair or Occasional chair. All original, light touch up. Label.
Rattan
Elinor McGuire M-86 Rattan & Cane Chair
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Highland, IN
Elinor McGuire designed this model M-86c occasional chair for McGuire of San Fransisco, the company she started with her husband John. The only thing more impressive than the many su...
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan
$7,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 39.5 in W 24.5 in D 24 in
Set of Six Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan and Cane Dining Chairs
By McGuire, Baker Furniture Company, Barbara Barry
Located in Peabody, MA
Set of six dining armchairs designed by Barbara Barry for Baker/McGuire. Their regency influenced rattan frames are woven with a fine double mesh caning and feature arched vents in t...
Cane, Rattan, Upholstery
Barbara Barry for Hbf Club Chairs
By Barbara Barry
Located in New York, NY
Amazing pair of Barbara Barry designed for HBF, in good gently use condition with minor wear and patina.
Fabric, Wood
Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture Sofa
By Barbara Barry, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture Sofa This sofa measures: 79 wide x 34 deep x 34.75 inches high, with a seat height of 18.5 and arm height of 25 inches We take our photos in a con...
Upholstery, Wood
Barbara Barry for Henredon Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Henredon, Barbara Barry
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Barbara Barry for Henredon Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 36 wide x 38 deep x 38 high, with a seat height of 20 and arm height/chair clearance of 21 inches We take our p...
Upholstery
$1,888
H 39.49 in W 23.98 in D 18.98 in
McGuire Caned Arm Chair by Barbara Barry, Rattan & Leather, USA
By Barbara Barry, McGuire
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Crafted from rattan, the chair is accented by meticulously hand-laced joint bindings at each joint—a patented McGuire hallmark that ensures both structural integrity and a rich, tact...
Leather, Rattan
Living room set in the style of Mcguire San Francisco 1970
By McGuire
Located in Roma, RM
Living room set in the style of Mcguire San Francisco 1970 Product Details Pair of armchairs + sofa crafted in dark-finished bamboo and Vienna straw, with leather bindings. Complete ...
Bamboo, Straw
Barbara Barry for McGuire Caned Lounge Chairs - Pair and Ottoman
By Barbara Barry, McGuire
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Barbara Barry for McGuire Caned Lounge Chairs - Pair and Ottoman Each chair measures: 31.75 wide x 26 deep x 40.25 high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 17 inches The ottoman ...
Upholstery, Cane
$2,195 / set
H 36.75 in W 25 in D 28 in
Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture Modern Regency Mahogany Armchairs, Pair
By Barbara Barry, Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of modern Regency or Art Deco style armchairs or dining captain chairs By Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1990s Dark mahogany frames, with upholst...
Upholstery, Mahogany