Tim Burney, acclaimed artist and visual merchandiser, dies at 77

Artist, photographer and visual merchandiser Timothy Caroll Burney, whose artwork and creative vision enhanced many home décor showrooms and whose kindness touched anyone who met him, passed away unexpectedly on May 27, 2026, after a brief illness. He was 77.

Burney’s company, Atlanta-based Timothy B Designs, earned him a reputation for a distinctive artistic eye. He was inspired by the written word, according to his website, and his photography and mixed media presented chosen objects collected from around the world.

He collaborated on artwork with some of the biggest names in home décor. He designed art for Paragon for close to 20 years, creating multi-layered images that included unique antique elements that Paragon would frame as a shadowbox. He was a featured designer at Paragon for many years, and it was a successful partnership, said Malanta Knowles, vice president of marketing and design. He always wanted to know what buyers were asking for, she said, and he would try to create with that style in mind.

“Tim was a joy to work with,” said Knowles. “Such a kind, soft-spoken person.”

Mark Abrams, vice president of design and marketing for Port 68, collaborated with Burney on artwork as well, and the two spent many afternoons and evenings in the Port 68 showroom deciding how to display it. They most recently interpreted orchid artwork from the Winterthur collection that debuted at High Point Market in April, said Abrams, and Burney had come up with the idea for the company’s popular martini monkey designs. When challenged to come up with new ideas, Burney delivered, said Abrams. “We would take an idea and make it better,” Abrams said. “He had a way of looking at things creatively. And he was just so kind. And that was Tim.”

Steve Papevies, the owner of Southern Accessories Today, a representative showroom that is now closed, worked with Burney for more than 30 years on the design of his showrooms in High Point and Atlanta.

“People would ask me where I learned what I do with visuals, and it was with Tim,” said Papevies. “He was one of those people who came in and, in a very short time, put a nice spin on whatever he set up. My learning came from Tim, just from watching him for so many years.

“I’ve always been a very fast-moving, intense individual and a perfectionist,” Papevies said. “That’s not the easiest person to work with. Tim would come in, and we’d look at colors, and I’d say, ‘I don’t like this,’ and he would convince me why I should like it, or what else I might like. … He was just a very kind, easy person to work with.”

Papevies and Burney became personal friends, and Burney would often accompany Papevies to Europe on antique scouting missions. There they would fill up containers and ship them back to the U.S., where Burney would visually merchandise them in Papevies’ antique space in Bennett Street in High Point, N.C. People who saw Burney’s work would often ask him to set up their showrooms as well, according to Papevies.

Burney and Currey & Company Creative Director Cecil Adams first became friends in 1984, when they were both visual merchandisers.

“My first job in visual merchandising was at Dillard’s in Austin, Texas,” said Adams. “Tim was the visual manager at Scarbrough’s. There was a group of us who were all working in visual arts and were all close friends. He was a great friend and mentor, and I learned a lot just being around him. In those days, you created worlds out of foam core, hot glue and imagination and he was one of the best.

“Tim was also an excellent entertainer, and any party at Tim’s house had to have all the elements — music, food, drinks and candles — no exceptions for any size or type of event. His charcuterie boards were works of art, like a Dutch painting,” said Adams. “His entire career was devoted to bringing beauty into the world and creating environments that excited and delighted all who witnessed them.

“He worked with a calm and steady manner and never raised his voice. A true gentleman in every aspect of living.”

Burney is survived by his wife, Cathy, whom he met in 1976. “After sharing more than three decades together, they were married in April 2010, celebrating a partnership that spanned nearly 50 years,” according to an obituary posted on Dignity Memorial. He is also survived by family members, friends, colleagues and clients.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a GoFundMe account established on Cathy Burney’s behalf.