Bobby Berk worked from stocking the shelves at Bed, Bath & Beyond to helm his eponymous furniture design company and four stores in L.A. in 10 short years.
His new line of playful yet sleek furnishings are as witty as the designer himself. He blends a mid-century modern sensibility with smaller scale furnishings to suit today’s condos.
The Bobby Berk style is minimalist, epitomizing urban design sophistication paired with quality and value at the forefront.

What inspires you?
Bobby Berk: I was always really inspired by my grandmother. I grew up in a tiny town in Missouri: it was not about design. But her home in Alvin, Texas was immaculate, a real “magazine home.” It was my ideal, perfect look. She had such amazing mid-century furniture, especially her sofa. Then we sat on it. And it felt horrible!

How have you improved on those styles?
BB: We use green materials and processes, for instance, the Tabitha sofa is filled with recycled water bottles that feel like down. The arm of the Cagney sleeper sofafolds down from the side, not the front, so you don’t have to rearrange your coffee table every time someone sleeps on it. The Jack chair is influenced by Knoll, but has thinner arms so it takes up less space. The frame of the Marsha bed sticks out only 1″ on each side so it’s great in compact rooms.

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What makes your line unique?
BB: I love bold, retro colours and shapes. You can customize a lot of our pieces by adding a pop of colour on the shelves, or a cabinet door. I love the Process Blue from Pantone on the Jefferson credenza’s shelves and feet. We manufacture our pieces in North Hollywood, in the same factory as Barbara Barry. I feel like we can bring a lot of manufacturing back to the U.S. from China and demonstrate how good quality furniture can be affordable. Most of the furniture shipped from there is flat packed with no solid wood. We use solid oak or walnut on legs and a veneer on the surfaces since it can split in a dry climate.

What’s a SoCal trend that’s going mainstream?
BB: Definitely colour. For the past five or six years it’s been all about grey and earth tones. Having furnishings combine colour with a little wood is a nice way to ease into it.

You have achieved a lot in a short time. What’s your secret?
BB: Mountain Dew.

Inspired by his grandmother and such amazing mid-century furniture in his tiny town, what he makes unique is the bold, retro colours and shapes. The pieces can be customized and he offer to your customers creative ideas and quality service.
Bobby Berk Home’s clean aesthetic represents modern luxury and comfort for furniture, home furnishings and accessories.

Website: bobbyberkhome.com

Blog: bobbyberkhome.blogspot.pt