barbara genda

Barbara Genda Bespoke Furniture & Interiors

It’s no secret that London homes are getting smaller and smaller. An open plan interior was once just a style statement, but now it seems open living is the developers’ layout of choice simply to squeeze more rooms into one. This ever-increasing reduction in space, is forcing homeowners to become more inventive with their furniture and storage solutions, with the option of made-to-measure furniture often becoming the answer.

‘Given the economic climate and the cost and difficulty in moving house, many people are looking to increase living space by building clever storage’ says designer Barbara Genda.

barbara genda

In fact, since launching her self-titled furniture design company in 2000, Barbara has seen the demand for her bespoke furniture rise rapidly and now more than 90 per cent of orders are made-to-measure commissioned pieces.

Despite diminishing floor space, it appears west London ladies are keen to keep one room – the walk-in wardrobe. ‘Everyone now wants a walk-in closet and I have no doubt that Carrie Bradshaw and her shoe collection had something to do with it. Sometimes we have to convince clients that wardrobes would actually work better and give them more storage than an ill-designed walk-in closet.’

barbara genda

The Battersea based designer had an unconventional path into furniture production. Despite a great interest in architecture and design, Barbara chose ‘a more commercially focused degree and education’, studying law at university and gaining a position as a tax consultant.

After becoming equally frustrated with a career in tax and the lack of quality modern furniture on sale, Barbara began to design her own pieces, eventually selling them through mail-order catalogues and, as demand grew, established her own website.

Barbara is known for her modern furniture style, but while one of the benefits of bespoke furniture is the fact that it is built in, it therefore means it cannot be changed as easily as the season’s trends dictate, which Barbara admits be can a concern.

‘I understand contemporary and modern designs better than traditional styles, but often advise clients against using very trendy finishes and colours as they tend to date; [a] matt finish will last longer than trendy high gloss, [and] we advise clients on using timbers that age well.’

barbara genda

With a new year comes new trends and for 2013 Barbara predicts a twist classic style and alternate finishes. ‘I think sprayed matte finishes will dominate the interior schemes as well as darker stained timbers. The design trends are set to be more classic contemporary in my opinion.’

www.barbara-genda.com

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