Barry Brukoff

July 7, 2023

Barry Brukoff, awardwinning photographer, designer, and world traveler, passed away of natural causes in Greenbrae, California, on July 7, 2023.

He was born on November 6, 1935, in Chicago to William and Edna Brukoff. After attending the Chicago Art Institute, Barry moved to California in 1970, where he was quickly promoted from floor salesman to manager of a furniture store. He started his own firm, Brukoff Designs, in San Francisco in the 1970s. In addition to contemporary interior design, Barry often functioned as the architectural lighting designer, custom furniture designer, and art consultant for his clients. He was perhaps best known for his residential designs, which have been featured in numerous international publications.

When he first came to California, he met quite a few of the leading members of the Human Potential Movement, with whom he continued to have special relationships for the rest of his life.

Photography was his passion, and throughout his design career, Barry traveled the world, taking photos of ancient ruins in Cambodia, Morocco, and Greece, and of the Mayan civilization and England’s Stonehenge. Those evocative photos, paired with texts by well-known writers Paul Bowles, John Fowles, Nicholas Gage, Helen Jessup, Michael Coe, Pablo Neruda, and translator Stephen Kessler, resulted in five stunning books marketed by Simon & Schuster, Abrams, Vendome, and other leading publishers.

He was an avid polo player in his youth. He loved to swim, listen to music, and watch films. His memory of films (thousands of them) - the characters, actors, and plots - was truly amazing. He claimed to have reviewed 6000 movies on Netflix. He was quite the raconteur and enjoyed good food and company.

Barry’s unfinished memoir, “A Charmed Life in Ruins,” explored the synchronicities of life, which he felt permeated his experiences and made for many a charming tale. He was a total romantic, and was passionate about people who had taken their craft to the highest level of performance, whether it be magic tricks, football or the arts.

He is survived by a son, Christopher Brukoff; and a granddaughter, Lea, whom he adored. He will be buried in his beloved island of Hydra, Greece. Barry will be sorely missed by his many loving friends.