While we may not be able to live in Barbie’s world — or even tolerate too much more of her signature pink — her glossy attitude reverberates in the pop-inflected designs that are showing up far beyond the Malibu DreamHouse. Sculptural lighting, playful furniture and personality-infused interiors have bounced forward to inject some much-needed fun — and hugs — amid the bleak news cycle. Even minimalism has a new softness, thanks to plush textures, plump shapes and soothing surfaces. It’s play time … and not a moment too soon.
De La Vega L’Elephante Armchair
Courtesy of Coup D’Etat
With its gargantuan proportions and zoomorphic details, the L’Elephante chair by De La Vega updates the staid wingback chair; $27,000, Coup D’Etat, Los Angeles, and coupdetatsf.com
BR Home Lizhnyk Fuzzy Pillow
BR Home
Showcasing the tradition of Lizhnyk weaving, Ukrainian craftswomen employ undyed sheep’s wool that has been tumbled in river water and then brushed to produce a unique textured effect on BR Home’s Lizhnyk Fuzzy Pillow Cover; $395, BR Home, West Hollywood, and brhome.com
Trueing Studios Lillia 5.0 Light
Lauren Coleman
With a sandblasted exterior and mirror polished interiors, the handblown glass petals of New York-based Trueing Studios‘ Lilia 5.0 Light channel the mesmerizing delicacy of botanical drawings; price upon request, trueing.com
Casey McCafferty Blue Sculptural Bench
Courtesy of Brand
Designed and hand-carved in Los Angeles, Casey McCafferty’s chunky cedar bench in blue is part sculpture, part furniture; $16,000, The Future Perfect, Los Angeles and thefutureperfect.com
Cassina Impronta Hand Design Vase
Courtesy of Luca Merli, courtesy of Cassina
Cassina’s whimsical single-stem Impronta vase, in a design by Ico Parisi, highlights a hollow contour in the shape of a hand; $591, luisaviaroma.com
Soho Home Garret Swivel Chair in Pierre Frey Fabric
Courtesy of Soho Home
Soho Home’s inviting, curvy Garret swivel chair — a style seen at Soho House’s DUMBO clubhouse — is extra cozy done up in Pierre Frey’s aquatic-inspired Nimpheas fabric; $3,175, sohohome.com
Elizabeth Garouste Mosaic Side Table
Antoine Bootz
For the whimsical Ara table, Parisian artist Elizabeth Garouste combines Ralph Pucci’s proprietary Plasterglass material with terra-cotta tile in a mosaic pattern; $18,000, Ralph Pucci Los Angeles and ralphpucci.com
Poltrona Frau x Ozwald Boateng Sofa
Alessio DAniello
Savile Row designer Ozwald Boateng brings his multicultural twist on tailoring to the Italian furniture company by reimagining Poltrano Frau’s iconic Chester range in his signature Tribal pattern; $36,450, Poltrona Frau, West Hollywood and poltronafrau.com