Barrie’s Approach to design:

As you look through the various projects in my portfolio over the years, you will see that I always give careful consideration to the architectural style of my client’s project, global location and lifestyle. These factors have been, and will continue to be paramount in the design/development phase of my projects. When designing your project, whether it is a hotel/resort or a primary or secondary residence, I believe it is necessary to have an element of selfishness along with a good dose of indulgence. This is a time that is all about how or your clientele will enjoy using the space, your family and friends, and how you live.

I really enjoy when my clients get involved, and are as excited about their project as I am. I am proud of the fact that none of my projects look alike; I would not want anyone to say “that’s a Barrie Livingstone Project”. It is a true testament to my dedication to giving my clients a project that truly belongs to them.

When I first walk into a space, whether it is in person or on a plan my eye is immediately drawn to anything that needs to be corrected. “I see dead people” is what I always tell my clients referring to any bad elements of design that seem to haunt the space. Hopefully often, it can be a simple remedy: new door hardware perhaps, a thicker molding, or a new wall finish. Good style is all about correct proportion and context. Using the form-follows-function principals established by Mies Van Der Rohe is the basis of my design. A square room can become almost anything: a fabulous gourmet kitchen, a sexy bedroom, a thumping disco, or a diva’s wig room (don’t laugh, it has been done).

Barrie’s Past, Present and Future

Currently:

Barrie resides in Miami Beach, Florida. He returned to his beloved home in 2004 after a five year stint in Los Angeles. Miami’s central global location is ideally suited for traveling which broadens his exposure to design as well as the different cultures and varying architectural styles that he celebrates. With work know in Costa Rica, Venezuela and upcoming Bahamas its an easy few day trip for him.

Barrie has recently added photography to his list of passions, and he is currently working on his first book entitled “Colour: Miami” which is a color resource book that captures Miami’s truly unique flora and fauna and then translates them into paint colors for the home’s interior and exterior.

Some exciting new design projects include: La Ensenada Isla Margarita, Venezuela a seaside resort on 120 acres of pristine Caribbean desert island. The Lofts at the Netherland: a spectacular luxury four-unit condominium located on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, and a 3,000sf beach home located in Cayucos on the central California coast. A 1600 S.F. Penthouse with a 1500 S.F. spectacular circular root deck and purchasing projects with two large local hotel groups.

The Malibu Chronicles

In 1999 the “when Barrie met Janet project” got its great start. The two designers became friends after an introduction from Wallace J. Tutt, II. Wallace and Janet are responsible for the incredible design and renovation of Casa Casurina, the late Gianni Versace’s South Beach residence. At that time they were building Cher’s Malibu home from the ground up. Janet called Barrie in late September, 00’ and asked him if he would be interested in assisting her with the completion of the interior. Of course he was thrilled, and he started working on the project immediately.

The two established a great synergy which led to the opening of Bussell Livingstone Interiors, Inc. in February, 01’. Their offices were located on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu , and consequently many of their clients were located there. Un-photographed projects include clients: Jose Eber, “ Back Street Boy” Kevin & Kristin Richardson and Dwayne (the ROCK) & Danny Johnson.

During 2000 Barrie revamped Montgomery Design Group’s design showroom and turned it into a “must stop” on the West Los Angeles furniture showroom scene. (See body of work)
In 2002 Barrie and Janet developed a property in Baltimore, MD and this ultimately led them to opening "Patterson Perk", a friendly upscale corner coffee shop that features their own unique blend of coffee. The coffee shop was voted “best coffee shop” in 2003 by Baltimore’s City Guide. They also finished the renovation of their 1920's row home in Baltimore that features a loft style apartment and houses the National Audubon Society on the ground floor.

Where It All Started In Miami:

In 1993 Barrie co-founded The South Beach Design Group in Miami Beach. And in 1996 they opened a 4,500 sf furniture showroom. Extensive travel to all the major trade shows both in the states and in Italy was part of the regimen to offering cutting edge design. While building the company’s client list and name recognition, Barrie worked on projects in New York, California, Tennessee and Rhode Island. They also designed the nightclub “Lua” on Espanola Way in South Beach, and the famed Miami Beach Bath Club.

In 1992, Barrie became a project manager for the F.H. Laurier Design Group in Miami, which at the time was ranked in Interior Design Magazine's top 100 commercial design firms. He was hired to facilitate their commercial designs through furniture purchasing, specification, construction observation and management. While working with this firm he designed the hotel interior at Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands. He also worked on several office projects with sizes ranging from 10,000 to 25,000 square feet.

Humble Beginnings:

Barrie immigrated to the States from Manchester, England in 1982. He studied interior design at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and graduated with honors in 1990.

In The Spotlight:

Through his design work on South Beach, Barrie was featured as a host on several episodes of 'Blueprint for Design' produced in 1994. When Christopher Lowell taped his show 'Miami Style' for the Discovery Channel, Barrie co-hosted the segment with him. Barrie also appeared on several spots as 'Interior Designer in the Know' on the magazine style television program Deco Drive. Other television appearances include: HGTV's (Home and Garden Television) Designer's Challenge, where he appeared with Janet and TLC's (The Learning Channel) new series, Faking It, which also airs on England's Channel 4. His work has been also been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Florida Design Magazine, Angeleno Magazine and Los Angeles Magazine, as well as the Rizzoli book, HGTV's“The Best of Designer’s Challenge”, and Dylan Landis’ “Designing for Small Homes”.