One of John Barman’s design icons is a ship. Heralded as a masterpiece of Art Déco design and architecture when it was launched in 1932, the Normandie featured “exquisite materials used in a style that was new at the time but has since become classic,” he says. Like the designers of the ocean liner, Barman incorporates “innovative concepts and luxurious elements in a contemporary way in all my work.” Comfortable working with either antiques and old masters or modern furniture and art, the New York designer considers color—whether subtle or flamboyant—to be a vital part of every project.

“The ’90s were a very beige decade after the colorful and very traditional ’80s,” he notes. “The ’00s are a blend of the past with contemporary elements of design and art and the use of colors mixed with white.” With his staff of six in New York, Barman has designed smart, stylish residences for Wynton Marsalis and for George Stephanopoulos and his wife, Ali Wentworth. He has also put together the interiors of two yachts. “Unlike a house or apartment, a boat will be in different locations at different times of the year,” he remarks. “Last year a client took his yacht to the Galapagos Islands, then to the Greek islands and then went to view icebergs off Canada in the fall.” In addition to keeping materials versatile enough for all climates, “I try to keep in mind the elegance and high style of the Normandie .”

John Barman

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