Designer Spotlight: Andy Barlow

kitchen with a sink and cabinet

Our Designer Spotlight series is back, and this month we’re bringing you Andy Barlow - a Portland-based interior designer who fully embraces the “mix beats the match” mentality. As Head of Interior Design at THESIS Studio, Andy brings vintage and mid-century inspiration together with new touches from his favorite local shops to create personal and character-filled homes. Filled with cheerful pops of color and thoughtfully placed plants, his spaces are always joyful and full of charm. Below Andy shares his design inspirations, Schoolhouse favorites and tips for making a meaningful home.

person smiling in front of a window and plant


What you do: Head of Interiors


Where: THESIS Studio in Portland, OR


Design aesthetic in five words: Timeless, fun, textural, vintage, modern


Inspiration sources: Schoolhouse of course! I also find inspiration in nature, Japanese and Scandinavian design, midcentury design, music, books, and all the other designers I stalk on Instagram. 

kitchen with a sink and cabinet

kitchen with a red lamp and a large window and sink

bathroom with a sink and a round mirror and plant on the floor

Photos by Eduardo Acorda 


Favorite projects: Our Sellwood Bungalow project has definitely been one of my favorites. Our clients wanted something fresh, clean, and modern, yet wanted to keep (and bring back) some of the integrity and historic elements from their nearly 100-year-old bungalow. The result was both timeless and new, colorful but subdued, and full of locally made pieces. 

kitchen with blue cabinets and an arched doorway

an open book on a kitchen countertop with a window and cupboard with glass doors

living room with a fireplace and a brown armchair

kitchen with chairs

Photos by Christopher Dibble 


Best design trick: Have an awkward space? Fill it with a plant!

living room with a fireplace and a brown coffee table

Home advice: Go with your gut, and don’t be afraid to mix styles. Select pieces that have a story and/or mean something to you. The stronger connection you have to an item, the longer you will want to keep it on display (creating less waste from constantly changing styles). Follow that saying, “want better, not more!” and SHOP LOCAL AND SMALL!

Top Schoolhouse products: Sidnie Lamp, Knurled Pulls, Flip Clock, and the tweed Jack Chair that I dream about owning one day myself. 

bed with a blue blanket and a painting on the wall and a blue lamp on the nightstand

table with blue rounded lamp and mirror above it

 Photos by Andy Barlow

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