Ep 281 Flower Showhouse: The Library with Barry Dixon

We are back with our special series highlighting the FLOWER magazine showhouse here in Atlanta, and the fun continues with acclaimed designer Barry Dixon. His work can be found all over the world, and on the pages of your favorite magazines like House Beautiful, Traditional Home and of course, Flower magazine. Barry talks about designing for all five senses, telling the story of a space from beginning to end, and his choice of textiles, colors, and books in the beautifully inspiring library. Ballard Designs is proud to be one of the sponsors of the house, and we are so excited to share all the gorgeous spaces with you.

If you’d like to visit the house in person you can purchase tickets here, and also follow along with the podcast series whether you can see it in person or not!

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

• Barry talks about the foundation of the library, and the little bit of Hollywood Regency appeal to the house.
• The views of the exterior are such an important part of the beauty of any interior.
• Some masculine ways to bring in florals.
• Barry talks about his curation of the books in the library and the intention behind the visual cues on the shelves.
• What advice would Barry give to people who are trying to blend styles or work with someone who doesn’t have their same opinion on design?
• A beautiful truth: you're never alone in a room that speaks to you.
• How do you balance the personalities in your home (aka ones that love taxidermy and action figures)?
• How design is like writing a story, and it’s important to tell the story from beginning to end.
• Barry’s love of the extreme in design in every way, including location, architecture, and style.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Barry Dixon

Barry Dixon’s Books

Decorating Dilemma:

Thank you for writing in! First, Barry has some great thoughts and advice for you. The buffet always traditionally belonged in a dining room, so you can keep that and you can also keep the chairs you have. Maybe you want to paint those Hepa white chairs a really pretty French Gray from Farrow & Ball so they look fresh. Mix that with the green buffet, and it leaves your table to be brown, with some beautiful yellows and grays to add a sorbet of color. Let’s buy a really beautiful paper with a pattern that goes with the Tudor or Arts and Crafts style - Barry has some good suggestions for ones from the 1800s. The Benjamin Moore color can be brought in as the trim color for the windows, baseboards, and door casings.

Since you are just investing in the paper, maybe you can even do a coordinating pattern for your seat cushions on those chairs. This ties everything together in one grand statement.

Please send us after photos so we can see your final choices!