How We Reimagined Barbie’s Living Room for 2023
Photo: Barbie Courtesy Mattel
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably aware that Barbie is having a big moment. With a brand new movie, the iconic doll is more relevant than ever (and making a whole new generation of fans 60 years after her creation). And as she’s taking over, we decided to give her home a new look too – and reimagine Barbie’s Living Room for 2023!
When the Washington Post asked us to re-design a room in Barbie’s dreamhouse, we jumped at the chance to work with such an iconic client. But what would her space look like today? We had a few ideas! Keep scrolling to see how we re-imagined Barbie’s Living Room.
Want to see how other designers reinterpreted spaces for Barbie? Check out “How 6 top designers would make Barbie’s house even dreamier”
Barbie’s Living Room
When we think of Barbie, we think of playfulness, female empowerment, and having fun (along with her signature color, pink, of course!) So for this living room design, we wanted to incorporate all those qualities, while also taking things in a more eclectic and modern direction for 2023. We also wanted to take this space well beyond the typical Barbie pink we all know. Modern Barbie is very multifaceted, so we embraced a few different pink tones including salmon, coral, blush, and raspberry to contrast against darker shades of brown and crisp white.
Both Barbie and the design world have also changed so much since she was created in 1959, with women making huge steps forward in terms of both careers and opportunities. So we wanted to feature several pieces from female designers, including the Lilypad Chandelier by Laura Gonzalez, Chromeo Armchair & Ottoman by Sarah Ellison, and a pair of watercolor-like fabric prints by AOTH from Tappan. In addition to these, the curved and sculptural shapes of the furniture, like the Lilou modular sofa, are a definite nod to Barbie’s past in the 60s and 70s, but interpreted in modern ways with unique, elevated materials (including the Pink Gypsum Marble Coffee Table). Warmer walnut tones from the Polynet Cabinet add a grounding feeling and the Carnival Chaos Round Mirror is a must-have for Barbie to check her outfit. This is a living room for a modern woman who can accomplish anything – and do it in style!
