Designer of luxurious spaces: Barry Dixon of Warrenton, Virginia

Last week, I journeyed in to the Jacksonville Art and Antiques Show which proceeds benefit the local children’s hospital. Typically the lecture series which accompanies the show features some attention-grabbing speakers. This year, Barry Dixon and Jeffrey Bilhuber presented as well as several others.

Generous with the particulars of his projects, most of which are featured in his latest book, Mr. Dixon was graciously informed that his time was up. He seemed to truly be taking pleasure while sharing with his listeners. A delightful and engaging lecturer, BD shared his theory of design in the 20th century: mixing styles, vintage and contemporary, pricey and moderate in a bespoke manner. Careful consideration of personalities, admiration and interests of those are significant to him when working with a client. His finished work reflects the individuality of the client, not necessarily a signature style of the designer.

I took particular note of the following while he spoke:

• BD has traveled broadly and as a horseman, is a participant of a hunt in Northern Virginia.
• Strongly considers the location of the home to integrate into the look he generates.
• Uses series and groupings of artistic pieces, both natural and man-made, and collections for wall interest.
• Revealed that no idea is truly exclusive to a designer, rather a redirection or reinterpretation of an inspiration.
Mr. Dixon told a clever account of when he received 5.5 yards, rather than the 55 yards of a specially ordered textile, from Italy, I believe. No doubt, this must have been merely a typographical inaccuracy. There not being sufficient time to re-order, he cautiously cut the prominent design from the minimal yardage and appliqued it onto a solid background to create a striking and bespoke drapery. Genius!

Tomorrow, I will post on the presentation of Mr. Bilhuber.