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Barbra Streisand Shows Off Her 'Passion For Design'

by NPR Staff

Music legend Barbra Streisand is a long way from where she started out in Brooklyn. She has a new book out, My Passion for Design, that presents the story of her dream house, from blueprints to roses. Host Scott Simon talks to  Streisand about her storied career as well as her new coffee table book.

  • Barbra Streisand chronicles the creation and construction of her newest home in her book My Passion for Design. Seen here, the Mill House on her property has a working water wheel over a man-made pond.
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    Barbra Streisand chronicles the creation and construction of her newest home in her book My Passion for Design. Seen here, the Mill House on her property has a working water wheel over a man-made pond.
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    All photos courtesy of Barbra Streisand from My Passion for Design, Viking
  • Streisand's book describes the inspiration for the California home it features, with notes on her art, furnishings and gardens.
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    Streisand's book describes the inspiration for the California home it features, with notes on her art, furnishings and gardens.
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  • Describing the screening room where she shows movies, Streisand says, "My favorite piece of furniture in the room is that Hepplewhite card table, with a hinged top, beside the couch. As soon as I saw the eagle inlay, I had to bid on it at auction."
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    Describing the screening room where she shows movies, Streisand says, "My favorite piece of furniture in the room is that Hepplewhite card table, with a hinged top, beside the couch. As soon as I saw the eagle inlay, I had to bid on it at auction."
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  • Writing about her Great Room, Streisand says, "A two-tiered room deserves a two-tiered chandelier. I didn't have to search far for this one. It was hanging in the foyer when I bought the main house, but it was always too big for that space and looks much better here."
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    Writing about her Great Room, Streisand says, "A two-tiered room deserves a two-tiered chandelier. I didn't have to search far for this one. It was hanging in the foyer when I bought the main house, but it was always too big for that space and looks much better here."
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  • A section of Streisand's home has been turned into a replica of an antique clothing shop — all of clothes she has worn.
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    A section of Streisand's home has been turned into a replica of an antique clothing shop — all of clothes she has worn.
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  • "I thought this room would be an opportunity to get my things out of storage and display some of my favorite pieces," she says.
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    "I thought this room would be an opportunity to get my things out of storage and display some of my favorite pieces," she says.
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  • Streisand took most of the photos in the book, which also includes memories of her childhood and insights into the development of her own sense of style.
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    Streisand took most of the photos in the book, which also includes memories of her childhood and insights into the development of her own sense of style.
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  • Barbra Streisand is featured on the book cover for My Passion for Design.
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    Barbra Streisand is featured on the book cover for My Passion for Design.
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