Everything about Bari J. Ackerman is cool. Her style. Her home. And her art–which is featured on products from fabric and wallpaper, to rugs, dishes, wall art and home decor. Bari J. is a self-described Maximalist whose world is filled with color, pattern and above all, joy. Her new book, Bloom Wild: a free-spirited guide to decorating with floral patterns is out now!
HOMEWORTHY: How do you describe your interior design style?
BARI J. ACKERMAN: I coined the term Curated Maximalism™ several years back to describe what I see as my style. Our home is filled with color and pattern (loads of florals, of course!). To me, maximalism is not the opposite of minimalism. It doesn’t mean there’s a lot of stuff about in my home. It’s about layering color and pattern with thought and intention. In other words, the “more” in “more is more” is curated down to things that hold meaning… even if that meaning is “this floral print brings me joy.”
HOMEWORTHY: What are your favorite things in your home?
BJA: My two vintage Kagan style chairs recovered in a custom Bari J. floral print. I love these because they were grossly ugly in the original 80’s style fabric. Recovered, they are true gems.
BJA: The backsplash tile by Mercury Mosaics in the kitchen. I love the kitchen tile because it was an unexpected choice that so many people told me not to do for “resale” value. I didn’t listen, clearly, and it’s what makes the kitchen pop.
BJA: The wallpapered ceiling in our bedroom. Again, this was something I was told not to do. I love looking up at the ceiling with its sea of floral. It brings me joy.
HOMEWORTHY: What item have you splurged on?
BJA: The vintage yellow chaise in the living room. (It’s assumed to be an Adrianne Pearsall chaise, but there’s no label.) We had borrowed it for the book, but then it was so darn sexy in here, I had to have it.
HOMEWORTHY: What item is on your wishlist?
BJA: A new dining room table. I’d love something more modern to contrast the very traditional chinoiserie wall that I hand painted.
HOMEWORTHY: Any sneaky decorating tricks?
BJA: Contrasts that have some common element. For instance. A large scale floral with a floral in a tiny scale that has a color in common.
HOMEWORTHY: Go-to hostess gift?
BJA: Tea towels. I like to sew my own with fabric and bring a candle. My fave candles are from Anthropologie.
*Portrait of Bari J. by Carley Page Summers
