A Designer Transformed a Sad Room into a Barbie Dream Office

Every room redo doesn’t have to involve moving walls or tearing everything out to make a major statement. Sometimes a project really comes down to the finishes and furnishings that make a client’s heart sing. Lindsie Davis, founder and principal designer at Blueberry Jones Design, learned that firsthand in a recent home office renovation, where she transformed a blank-slate room in a newly constructed spec home into a larger-than-life Barbie dreamland for her doll-collecting client. The architecture remained fully intact, but the space is now totally unrecognizable in the best of ways.

“The goal was to create a sophisticated office that nodded to Barbie without feeling overly thematic,” says Davis, who is based in Austin, Texas. “I wanted the room to feel elevated and fashion-forward with the high-fashion Barbie UNO cards serving as my inspiration. The Barbie outfits became the jumping-off point for the textiles and materials used throughout the space: tweeds, bouclé, plaids, florals, faux fur, sparkle, and leather all creating a layered palette that feels playful while remaining refined.”

For Davis and her client, though, the layout was just as important. “The room needed to function as an office, a place for building LEGO structures, a lounge for reading or watching TV, and a space for displaying my client’s collections,” she says. “To make all of those uses feel cohesive rather than competing with one another, I created a central sitting and working zone.” There, an ash wood table by Aronson Woodworks provides space for LEGO creation, while a blue sofa and movable ottomans make it easy for a big LEGO build to evolve. 

An oversized, circular-shaped, tubular glass and metal lighting fixture hangs overhead, drawing the eye up and accenting the room’s already soaring height (and gorgeous wood clad ceiling). Two Global Views apothecary cabinets flank the room’s sofa and provide an additional spot for collectibles, while a fluffy Four Hands rug anchors this central spot in space. Davis deftly tucked a Global Views fluted white desk into the corner of the room, complete with a Worlds Away desk lamp and a flatscreen TV above.

“They use a process called ‘claize,’ which explores color through the natural movement of the wood grain,” says Davis of the room’s central custom table. “I opted for a pastel rainbow claize, as the soft tones centered in the room balance the pink ombré wall covering beautifully.” 

That same seating area also provides the perfect spot for reading a book or binge-watching a show. “The goal was for every zone to flow naturally together, so the room always feels intentional, even when an area isn’t actively in use,” says Davis.

Although the room’s setup works overtime for its function, the decor is the start of the show. Davis kicked things off by leaning into her client’s favorite color — pink! — and traded the white plaster walls for an ombré pink grasscloth wall covering. “That immediately gave the room a sense of personality and set the stage for the Barbie girl vibe,” says Davis. “It reminded me of Barbie gliding through the air from the second story to the first floor of her Dreamhouse in the [Greta Gerwig] movie. The wall covering would represent pink clouds, and the subtle movement and texture of the grasscloth also felt more sophisticated and immersive than a standard paint color or graphic wallpaper, allowing the room to be completely enveloped in pink while still maintaining a refined, ethereal quality.”

Textiles also play a huge role in the room, from the plaid ottomans and dash-printed desk chair to the flower-covered shades and beyond. “Balance and scale are always key when mixing so many patterns and materials together,” says Davis. “With the floral pattern on the window coverings being the boldest and most noticeable pattern, I used this as my main palette, and everything else became a supporting texture or pattern. From the tweed and bouclé to the plaid, sparkle, and faux fur, each layer was chosen to complement the floral through its pattern and scale without competing with it. This mix of so many patterns and textures adds personality and depth while still remaining cohesive and elevated rather than overwhelming.”

Then, of course, the focal point of the space finally reveals itself: the impressive Barbie collection. Davis used three acrylic bookcases from Made Goods to create a custom setup along one wall of the office, where the boxed Barbies have pride of place. “Find beautiful ways to elevate your display, like a curio or apothecary cabinet,” says Davis. “Lucite is another chic way to allow your collectibles to boldly take center stage. 

Beyond decorating, the work was minimal, but Davis’ client couldn’t be happier with the stunning, super-personal results. Right after the install, Davis stopped by the home, and the room was already being used to its full potential. “There was a LEGO sculpture in the works, while the desk was showing signs of daily use,” says Davis. “One of the best things about the space is that this is the first time her Barbie collection has been able to be fully displayed. That collection is so special to her, and seeing it all together and on display is what means the most to her.”