You most likely haven’t heard of Bobby Berk yet, the 31-year-old wunderkind who worked his method up from stocking the shelves at Bed, bath & beyond to helm his eponymous furniture style business as well as four stores in L.A. in 10 short years. His new line of lively yet smooth furnishings (many named for sitcom characters; see the Mork as well as Mindy ottomans), are as witty as the designer himself. He blends a mid-century contemporary sensibility with smaller scale furnishings to fit today’s condos, as well as his line is now offered in Canada with metropolitan Mode.
H&H: What influences you?Bobby Berk: I was always truly influenced by my grandmother. I grew up in a small town in Missouri: it was not about design. however her house in Alvin, Texas was immaculate, a genuine “magazine home.” It was my ideal, ideal look. She had such amazing mid-century furniture, particularly her sofa. then we sat on it. as well as it felt horrible!
H&H: exactly how have you improved on those styles?BB: We utilize eco-friendly materials as well as processes, for instance, the Tabitha sofa is full of recycled water bottles that feel like down. The arm of the Cagney sleeper sofa folds down from the side, not the front, so you don’t have to rearrange your coffee table each time somebody sleeps on it. The Jack chair is influenced by Knoll, however has thinner arms so it takes up less space. The frame of the Marsha bed sticks out only 1″ on each side so it’s excellent in compact rooms.
H&H: What makes your line unique?BB: I like bold, vintage colours as well as shapes. You can personalize a great deal of our pieces by adding a pop of colour on the shelves, or a cupboard door. I like the process Blue from Pantone on the Jefferson credenza’s shelves as well as feet. We manufacture our pieces in North Hollywood, in the exact same factory as Barbara Barry. I feel like we can bring a great deal of producing back to the U.S. from China as well as demonstrate exactly how great high quality furniture can be affordable. many of the furniture shipped from there is flat packed without any solid wood. We utilize solid oak or walnut on legs as well as a veneer on the surfaces because it can split in a dry climate.
H&H: What’s a SoCal pattern that’s going mainstream?BB: certainly colour. For the past five or six years it’s been all about grey as well as earth tones. having furnishings integrate colour with a bit wood is a good method to simplicity into it.
H&H: You have accomplished a great deal in a short time. What’s your secret?BB: mountain Dew.
Read our interview with young Vancouver designer Sophie Burke.