Barbara Best-Santos
Director of Interiors at Hart Howerton
A little bit about Barbara…
Barbara leads the interior design team at Hart Howerton, an award-winning global design firm headquartered in New York and San Francisco. Working in over fifty countries across six continents, the firm’s interdisciplinary team of architects, planners, landscape architects, and interior designers specializes in the complete design of luxury hospitality, residential and mixed use environments. Her career spans more than twenty-five years leading the design of luxury and lifestyle hotels, spas, restaurants, resorts and residences. Prior to joining Hart Howerton, she was the Co-Managing Principal of ForrestPerkins, overseeing five offices and was the Hospitality Practice Area Leader for Gensler’s Northwest Region. Earlier in her career, Barbara directed her own firm, Best-Santos Studio, for ten years, and focused primarily on boutique hotels, spas, and restaurants. Barbara started her career in restaurant design, which remains a passion. She transitioned to hotels under the guidance of renowned international designer Bent Severin, where she designed a variety of project types domestically and abroad. Brands included in her extensive portfolio include Fairmont, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, Marriott, Starwood, Kimpton, and Caesars Entertainment.