In conversation with Barbara Reimelt
Why are so many luxury interiors starting to look the same? And has the pursuit of perfection made design less personal? After more than 25 years working with some of the world’s most recognisable luxury brands, interior designer Barbara Reimelt believes that great design should do more than simply look beautiful — it should make us feel something. In this episode, Shaun Borstrock meets Barbara in New York to explore her extraordinary creative journey, from designing window displays for Ralph Lauren in Munich to senior leadership roles at Christian Lacroix, Hugo Boss and Ralph Lauren in New York. Now running her own interior design practice, Barbara shares why leaving the highly curated world of global luxury brands meant rediscovering her own creative identity. The conversation explores the growing uniformity of contemporary interiors, why beige and minimalist design can lack personality, and how colour, antiques, craftsmanship and carefully chosen materials can transform the way we experience a space. Barbara also discusses the emotional relationships she develops with clients, the importance of preserving traditional craftsmanship, and why she believes younger designers are bringing renewed purpose and responsibility to the industry. From the revival of antiques to the increasing influence of artificial intelligence, Barbara considers whether technology will encourage creative expression or simply produce more of the same. Ultimately, she challenges conventional ideas of luxury, arguing that meaningful design is deeply personal — and that time, freedom, comfort and emotional connection can be more valuable than material possessions.