Barbie DreamHouse Tour: Immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of Barbie's Dreamhouse—a fuchsia-filled architectural marvel inspired by Palm Springs.
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Welcome to Barbie's Dreamhouse tour, a place where imagination knows no bounds and privacy is non-existent. In this architectural marvel, there are no walls or doors, allowing for a panopticon-like experience. Step into the extraordinary world of Barbie's Dreamhouse, where walls and doors cease to exist, and privacy takes a backseat to a vibrant and fuchsia-filled paradise.
This architectural marvel, inspired by the iconic Mattel doll, has captivated the attention of design enthusiasts and Barbie fans alike. In this post, we delve deep into the whimsical and stylish interiors of the Barbie Dreamhouse, exploring the vision of the talented team behind its creation: production designer Sarah Greenwood and set decorator Katie Spencer.
Inspired by the iconic Mattel doll, Greta Gerwig, the filmmaker behind the live-action Barbie movie, chose to create a vibrant world that transcends reality. Let's take a closer look inside this fuchsia fantasy, designed by the talented team of Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer. Explore the integration of midcentury modernism with Barbie's iconic world, and immerse yourself in the magic that is the Barbie Dreamhouse.
<< Photos for this blog post were obtained from Architectural Digest. These photos do not belong to me >>
Photo: Jaap Buitendijk/ Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Barbie DreamHouse Tour
Amidst the allure of Palm Springs and the midcentury modernism movement, Greenwood and Spencer sought to bring Barbie's dream to life by infusing the essence of this iconic era into every detail of the Dreamhouse's design. From the bold use of color to the sleek lines that define the space, the Dreamhouse stands as a testament to the timeless allure of midcentury modernism and Barbie's iconic status in popular culture.
Photo: Jaap Buitendijk/ Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Midcentury Modernism Meets Barbie
To bring Barbie's dream to life, production designer Sarah Greenwood and set decorator Katie Spencer drew inspiration from the midcentury modernism of Palm Springs. Specifically, they looked to Richard Neutra's famous Kaufmann House and other architectural gems that defined the era. From the sleek lines to the bold use of color, everything about this era perfectly embodied the essence of Barbie's world.
Located at the Warner Bros. Studios lot outside London, the Barbie Dreamhouse is a three-story fuchsia fantasy that encapsulates the joy and playfulness of Barbie's universe. The filmmakers' intention was to capture the ridiculously fun nature of Dreamhouses from the past, and with nods to various influences ranging from Pee-wee's Big Adventure to Wayne Thiebaud's vibrant paintings, they succeeded in making the Dreamhouse a flamboyant and immersive experience.
Photo: Jaap Buitendijk/ Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Scaling Down Barbie's Dream
Having never owned a Barbie before, Greenwood and Spencer ordered a Dreamhouse from Amazon to study its intricacies. They realized that the scale of the Dreamhouse was quite peculiar, prompting them to adjust the room proportions to be 23 percent smaller than human size. This adjustment created a unique visual effect, making the actors appear larger in the space while maintaining an overall sense of being small.
Each room in the Dreamhouse reflects Barbie's personality and taste. From the opulent and glamorous bedroom featuring a clamshell headboard and sequined coverlet to the closet showcasing Barbie's meticulously coordinated outfits, every detail contributes to showcasing Barbie's love for fashion and style. The Dreamhouse truly becomes a sanctuary exclusively tailored for this powerful female icon, highlighting the evolving roles of women in society.
Photo: Jaap Buitendijk/ Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
A Fuchsia Fantasy Barbie Dreamhouse
Constructed at the Warner Bros. Studios lot outside London, Barbie's cinematic Dreamhouse takes inspiration from Neutra's work and adds its own whimsical twist. This three-story extravaganza captures the spirit of Barbie with its vibrant fuchsia exterior and a twisty slide that leads into a kidney-shaped pool. It's a place where fun reigns supreme, and traditional stairs are replaced with slides and elevators.
Photo: Jaap Buitendijk/ Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Designing for Barbie
Every detail of the Dreamhouse was carefully considered to embody Barbie's personality and taste. In her bedroom, a clamshell headboard upholstered in velvet is combined with a sequined coverlet, creating an opulent and glamorous space. Barbie's closet showcases her coordinated outfits in toy-box vitrines, reflecting her sense of style and love for fashion. The Barbie Dreamhouse tour is truly a sanctuary tailored for a single woman, reflecting the evolving role of women in society.
Creating an Authentic Artificiality
Director Greta Gerwig was committed to creating a whole world for Barbie, one that felt authentic in its artificiality. To capture the essence of the Dreamhouse, hand-painted backdrops were used instead of CGI, immersing the audience in a tactile experience. The attention to detail extended to the coloring as well - everything in the Dreamhouse needed to be vibrant and excessive, reminiscent of the joy and wonder that Barbie brought to young girls worldwide.
In their pursuit of "authentic artificiality," director Greta Gerwig and the design team chose to use hand-painted backdrops instead of CGI, creating a tangible and tactile experience for both the actors and the audience. The vibrant, excessive use of color, particularly Barbie's signature pink, ties everything together and pays homage to the enduring fascination that Barbie has held for generations.
Photo: Jaap Buitendijk/ Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
The Barbie Dreamhouse tour is not just a fuchsia fantasy; it's a testament to the enduring icon that is Barbie. From its midcentury modernism-inspired design to its larger-than-life proportions, this Dreamhouse captures the essence of Barbie's world.
With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to creating an authentic artificiality, the team behind the Dreamhouse has brought Barbie's magic to the big screen. As we eagerly await the release of the live-action film, let us bask in the splendor of the Barbie Dreamhouse - a place where dreams truly do come true.
Until next time,
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