community spotlight

“Don't shine so others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him.” C.S. Lewis

Barrie Parker first fell in love with interior design while studying art at Mercer University. Drawn to the “problem solving” aspect of design, she welcomed the challenge of bringing beauty and vibrancy to any space. After graduating from Mercer, Barrie began her career working for Ethan Allen and eventually opened her own interior design business in Macon. After several successful years, Barrie and a business partner moved from Macon to St. Simons Island taking over the storefront Harvey & Harriet’s Furniture on Frederica Road opening Pierce + Parker Interiors.

Along with her passion for interior design, a new passion was stirring within her: one for expecting mothers in crisis. In 1992, Barrie cofounded Crisis Pregnancy Center, now called Skylark, to assist women in unplanned pregnancies and to council expectant mothers at every stage of pregnancy. Barrie still serves on the Board of Skylark although it has grown exponentially since its conception in 1992. Skylark now has a Mobile Medical Unit and three centers in Brunswick, Jesup, and Kingsland.

As Barrie and her husband, Ken’s, children grew, she became passionate about her children attending a school where they could obtain a Christ-centered, Classical education. So in 1994, when her children were in elementary and middle school, Barrie cofounded the Whitefield School, originally located at Golden Isles Presbyterian Church on St. Simons Island. After nearly three decades, a change in name and location, St. Simons Christian School is still offering students in the Golden Isles a Christ-centered, Classical education built on the legacy of the Whitefield School.

In 2015, after a few years of retirement and with the encouragement of her husband, Barrie opened Cachettes + Home in Redfern Village returning to her first passion: interior design. Meaning “hiding place” in French, Cachettes enhances each shopper’s personal hiding place with designer furniture, artwork, pillows, throws, lighting, permanent botanicals, and unique gifts. In November 2021, Cachettes moved to a new location on Frederica Road allowing the store to double in size.

Barrie’s distinctly entrepreneurial spirit and artistic creativity make her valuable to our community, but what makes her exceptional is her heart. Barrie has a way of making you feel seen, heard, and valued. She exudes grace, poise, and humble confidence. Through Cachettes + Home, Barrie shares her God-given talent and eye for design with the Golden Isles, but the true gift to our community is Barrie herself.