the light that radiates

TV Show: Stranger Things Setting: Fall 1983, Indiana Room: Barb’s Bedroom

Story we told: Poor smarty pants Barb. She was one minute from busting out of those prairie ruffle blouses and living her real life. I like to imagine that her last moments on that diving board were spent thinking “This bitch is actually holding me back,” but we may never know. 

We decided to give Barb an eclectic, colorful home escape from her drab school life and lame friends who let her die alone in the cold. A place where she can explore her inner truth without worrying about her idiot friend Nancy.

Brooding brainiacs don’t have time for sports but bowling isn’t a sport - it’s a right of passage in the Holland family and a great way for Barb to get out her frustrations at the world.

Barb’s older brother scored her a job at the BRAND NEW video rental store. Although Barb’s parents don’t quite understand the concept of renting movies to watch at home, they are extremely supportive of her desire to learn financial independence. Barb is just glad she gets to watch all the classics (or movies that just came out recently) for free. She also has to rent a VCR (not pictured) because her parents don’t have one yet.

Barb definitely takes time to nurture some budding inner truth (after her homework is done and before she reads her NASA newsletter). Her experimentation with on-trend electric blue eye shadow is symbolic of the clear and present truth Barb can see that her idiot friend, blinded by lust, ignores.

But it’s fine. Barb is comforted by listening to The Cure and reading her Seventeen Magazine; reminding herself that there’s more out there than this small, backward town and its rich white kid entitlement attitude.

Barb isn’t sure if her coat is cool but it makes her feel warm. She’s practical.

Barb is 100% sure her patchwork white leather purse is cool which is why she doesn’t take it to school and risk drawing attention to her inner truth that is still being carefully cultivated. The blue eye shadow is risky enough for junior year. Maybe next year, patchwork purse. Or not, since Barb dies.

BONUS IMAGES

Proof we didn’t fake that 1981 Seventeen magazine. We found it at the same thrift shop as the puffy coat. Killer finds for Barb.

Barb’s sheets! Like totally 80s but on point when we pair it with this 70s afghan. We are truly into details here at Imagined Interiors.