There are few names in Australian design that have shaped so many interiors while remaining largely behind the scenes. From private residences and hospitality projects across Australia—including the rugged landscapes of Bruny Island and Groote Eylandt and the coastal homes of Noosa and Margaret River—to projects across the United States and Europe, Dunlin has become a trusted source for architects and interior designers seeking furniture and lighting that prioritise craftsmanship over trend. “Nicholas [Barber] founded Dunlin in 2010 out of genuine frustration as an architect,” explains his partner, Taylor McGuire Barber. “He struggled to find lighting that felt timeless, beautifully made and quietly considered.”

McGuire Barber’s own background spans fine art, fashion, and finance, having worked as an equity trader in New York. After joining Dunlin several years later, she and Nicholas shaped the company into a studio that balances architectural rigour with a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, materiality and atmosphere. “What started as a curated collection of furniture, lighting and homewares sourced from leading international makers has evolved into a respected design destination,” nods McGuire Barber.

The studio quietly introduced Australian audiences to the likes of Rose Uniacke, Disderot and Original BTC long before they became household names; in fact, it’s the exclusive home for all of these, as well as Davey Lighting, Beadlight and J'Jute. Dunlin’s own collection of handcrafted lighting has also grown significantly over the past five years. “Working alongside exceptional makers has deepened our appreciation for craftsmanship and materiality, while also allowing Nicholas and me to gradually develop our own design language,” explains McGuire Barber.  “Today, Dunlin is as much about creating as it is about curating.”

That curation now has its own home, with the opening of Dunlin’s first showroom in a restored terrace in Paddington—though McGuire Barber notes it’s not your average retail and studio space. “It was conceived as a lived interior,” she explains. “It reflects our belief that lighting, furniture and objects should be experienced together, demonstrating the transformative role of light within a space.” Inspired more by galleries, fashion spaces, and beautifully lived interiors than by traditional interior design showrooms, McGuire Barber recalls the three principles that guided the creation of the new Dunlin space: “it should never feel cold, every room should be carefully edited, and it should reflect Nicholas and me personally.”

As a layered environment in which architecture, furniture, art and lighting exist in conversation rather than as standalone objects, the terrace allows appointment-only clients and visitors to experience the full collection as part of a complete interior. “Every piece was considered in dialogue with the architecture,” says McGuire Barber. What’s more, by placing Dunlin’s lighting collection alongside a considered edit of internationally renowned brands, the space “reflects an increasing focus on the role of light and its role in shaping atmosphere, spatial rhythm and architectural intent.”

In addition to their lighting, the duo have introduced a small collection of Dunlin furniture and hardware, much of it designed specifically for the space, as well as pieces they have collected over the years. ‘Restraint’ is the word McGuire Barber returns to repeatedly when describing Dunlin’s approach. “We’ve never felt the need to introduce something simply because it’s new,” she says. “Every piece must have a reason to exist. We take our time—often years—refining an idea until it feels resolved enough to become part of the collection.” Indeed, even their brand name reflects this philosophy, inspired by the migratory shorebird known for travelling vast distances with quiet endurance. “It’s a reference to movement, continuity and a thoughtful approach to growth,” explains McGuire Barber.

As you might expect, this process of refinement requires buy-in from both partners: “It's rare that we develop anything unless we're both completely on board with it,” confirms McGuire Barber. “Nicholas and I see design through very different lenses: he approaches every project with an architect’s discipline, always thinking about proportion and permanence, whereas I’m often drawn to the emotional side of design and how an object feels to live with, the atmosphere it creates and whether there is a need for it.”

The pair return to solid brass, hand-blown glass, handwoven rattan and natural fibres time and again, not solely for their appearance, but “because they possess an honesty that only improves with age,” explains McGuire Barber. “For us, everything comes back to craftsmanship and materiality.” Glass was a particular challenge, as finding the right Australian glassmaker—one who shared the Barbers’ approach to craftsmanship—took time.

Another defining feature of the new Dunlin showroom are dedicated furniture and fabric rooms for British designer Rose Uniacke. “As the exclusive Australian representative of the complete Rose Uniacke collection, it was important to create spaces that honour Rose’s philosophy while sitting naturally within the Dunlin experience,” says McGuire Barber. “For the first time, Australian designers and clients can experience the collection in its entirety, engaging with the furniture, fabrics and materials as they were intended to be experienced.”

A second lighting collection, created in collaboration with designer practice Handelsmann + Khaw, is also scheduled for 2027, building on the success of the inaugural Handelsmann + Khaw × DUNLIN lighting collection in 2025.

Exciting as they are, these projects and partnerships are actually proof of Dunlin’s overall approach. “A client recently described the showroom as a ‘total sensory experience,’ which was perhaps the greatest compliment,” recalls McGuire Barber. “It’s more than a place to display objects; it’s a place to settle in, spend time and experience design through all the senses—scent, sound, colours, textures, the way you move from one room to the next.”

She continues: “We’re drawn to pieces that reveal their value over time—objects that age gracefully, develop character and become more meaningful through use. That’s always been at the heart of Dunlin.” - Vogue Living

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