John Barman
Principal, John Barman, Inc.
Design and Decoration
John Barman renowned, for injecting interiors with contemporary glamour and color, takes a twenty-first century approach to design. He seamlessly mixes mid-century and vintage pieces alongside modern furnishings, creating a look with sophistication. With a career in interior design that spans over 20 years of high-end residential projects, he takes a very personal and individual approach with much of the inspiration tailored to client wishes that make each project unique. As stated in the New York Times front page story about high end design, Barman is one of the “coveted” NYC decorators. The firm has been recognized for creating approachable, luxurious interior spaces that are clearly and cleanly defined. A love and appreciation for architectural detail, and a considerable knowledge of 20th and 21st century design, furniture and art are manifested in his work.
Barman is known for his clear-cut, sophisticated style, bold new ideas, and a strong point of view. He favors handsome, crisp lines, the unrestrained use of strong, resonant color; new uses for traditional materials; and the successful marriage of functionality and fine detailing.
Both a classicist and modernist Barman confidently stimulates the senses with interiors that are cultured and elegant, striking perfect balance between the sumptuous and the seriously hip. Barman repeatedly examines definitive moments in art and design to bring original perspective to his work.
Recognized as one of the innovative giants in this field, Barman has been continually honored as one of the “AD100″ by Architectural Digest magazine, “The City’s Best 100 Architects and Decorators” by New York magazine, and “Top 50 New York Designers” by New York Spaces. Barman’s interiors have appeared in Architectural Digest, Architectural Digest France, Architectural Digest Germany, Elle Décor, Interior Design, The New York Times, New York Spaces, Veranda, Traditional Home, among others. His work has also been published in books including City Living, Design in the Hamptons, Understanding Modern, Contemporary Glamour, House & Garden: Book of Style, and his monograph John Barman Interior Design. Barman has been invited to participate in several prestigious designer show houses including the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club Decorator Show House and Hamptons Designer Show House.
A majority of Barman’s residential commissions are based in New York City, The Hamptons, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and Miami where the firm has a satellite office. Barman’s renowned clients include Wynton Marsalis, George Stephanopoulos and Alexandra Wentworth, Leonard and Alison Stern, Bryant Gumbel, Stone Phillips, Neil Simon, and Larry Silverstein.
Born and raised in New York City, Barman graduated from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania and went on to study Interior Design.
Kelly Graham
Designer, John Barman, Inc.
Design and Decoration
Kelly Graham is the Creative Design Director at John Barman Inc. overseeing a variety of residential commissions. Flair and passion for creative design is Graham’s forte, and since joining the firm in 2002 he has demonstrated his ability to generate inspirational concepts and successfully bring them to fruition.
Graham’s versatility and design vision has earned the firm wide acclaim for their participation in several high profile social and interior design industry events including Kips Bay Boys and Clubs Decorator Show House and Hamptons Designer Show House.
His work has been featured in publications including Architectural Digest, Hamptons, Interior Design, Metropolitan Home, The New York Times and Veranda and has appeared on HGTV programs such as Dream Drives, the 50’s Home and the 70’s Home, and Hey Remember. Starting in 2004, Architectural Digest named John Barman Inc. to their top 100 interior designer lists, and the firm is included annually in many other top designer lists.
Prior to joining the firm, Graham enjoyed a long and prosperous career as a fashion designer, where he designed his own signature line of clothing for women. Graham earned his highly regarded reputation as a designer, while working for Arnold Scassi. It was at Scassi, that Graham’s incredible taste level was revealed – an unrivaled ability to successfully pair unexpected textures, a knack for discovering the most sensual of silks, and the foresight to design clothes in exciting colors and patterns.
The transition from fashion designer to interior designer has been smooth, as Graham brings his fashion sense to decorating with high energy and spirit. Just as in his clothing designs, Graham brings his distinctively hip, modern flair to his interiors. He is lauded by clients for designs that are unique and do not have the stamp of a decorator. He infuses glamour and elegance to the home without overdoing it, and is neither cold nor harsh. Graham has an innate ability to take modern décor and make it warm, while maintaining the modern feel. His design work often mixes mid 20th Century furniture with classic modern pieces to create fun and dynamic atmospheres.