A Barbie Dream House of your own
Barbie turned 50 Monday.
The world’s most popular and recognizable fashion doll was introduced by Mattel in 1959 and it didn’t take long for Barbie to begin her rise to fame and fortune. Today, the American icon has it all — a designer wardrobe, success at every career she’s ever tried, fabulous friends, a really cool car and a dream house.
Her first dream house debuted in 1960. Though it was made of cardboard, it still represented the epitome of the latest in home fashions. Modern versions, do the same.
Now, her dreams can be your dreams, too.
“Barbie is one of the biggest fashion icons in history. Why shouldn’t her home style also influence us as well?” asked Michelle Williams of Michelle Williams Interiors in Chicago. “Most women have at one time or another been one of Barbie’s biggest fans. Adding a dose of Barbie-inspired home décor will give you that ‘kid at heart’ feeling.”
Williams believes that Barbie inspires women to have greater self-confidence. “Think Mary Tyler Moore. She was the ultimate Barbie. She had a career, was single and fashionable.”
This sense of self can be reflected by using bolder color combinations and graphics throughout the homes.
“It’s doing what you want and loving it,” she said.
Since pink is Barbie’s signature color, no Barbie-inspired décor can be without it.
“Pink is a must,” said interior designer Jonathan Adler, who updated a Malibu residence that served as the backdrop for Barbie’s star-studded birthday bash. “But, we’re using all sorts of different pinks shades and different combinations. Pink and black and white — very classic with an added punch of pink. We’ve also added pink and orange throughout for a touch of glamour.”
To help create that glamorous look, Williams turns to bold accents and accessories.
As an example, she suggested using a faux zebra rug as a starting place in a room’s décor. “It’s bigger than life, very graphic and makes everything else look good.” She recommends painting that room’s walls fuchsia, teal, yellow or a color with a lot of flavor to it, then completing the accessories with big, bold lamps.
Williams also said the home will display personal mementos of travels and plenty of accessories geared toward entertaining since Barbie was well-traveled and has many friends.
But for true Barbie-inspired décor, Adler has created the Jonathan Adler Loves Barbie collection, which will debut in September.
“The ‘Barbie Loves Jonathan Adler’ is a fantastic capsule collection that both complements my existing collections, while being entirely individual and unique. My color combination is mostly black, white and, of course, pink! Products range from pillows to lighting to lacquer … and even two Barbie candles,” Adler said.
He said a small room, such as a bathroom, is a good place to begin decorating a la Barbie.
“The pink lacquer bath is the perfect place to start; it adds that perfect Barbie accent. I’ve never really worked with the so many shades of the color pink before, so this is an exciting adventure,” he said.
The “Top Design” judge’s collection was inspired by his work on the Malibu residence.
“Of all my work, bringing to life Barbie’s famous Malibu Dream House has been one of the most fun design projects yet,” Adler said. “Barbie was a dream client because she doesn’t have a husband to rein in the fantasy or tone down the glamour.”
He said he updated the home’s bedroom, living room and closet with a series of conceptual art moments. “For example, I’ve taken Barbie’s hair and made a chandelier out of it. I’ve used her dress and interpreted it as a chair.”
Several pieces from his collection also were used in the home, including a Lampert sofa upholstered in black patent leather, an Addison chair in tangerine velvet, and Morrow chairs in tangerine and fuchsia velvet.
“This space is all about being chic, but having fun. In the bedroom, we’ve added more glamour with a lot of mirrors: a custom mirror screen with applied vintage Barbie silhouettes and a Venetian mirror and desk.”
After Malibu, the Barbie Dream House travels to The Palms, where the Hot Pink Suite will be transformed into the Barbie Suite. The suite, which opens in May, will include several of the Malibu house’s key décor pieces and Adler’s signature style.
Then, Barbie aficionados also can literally turn the tables on the fantasy world that became reality later this year when an Adler-designed Barbie debuts.
“Moi’s Jonathan Adler-design Barbie doll is j’adorable. Making the doll even more special is the miniaturized furniture from current collections included in the accessory pack,” he said.
