Thomas O'Brien
Public Places, Private Spaces : Episode PPS-105 -- More Projects »
Classic beauty and contemporary comfort describes renowned designer Thomas O'Brien's style. See why 60 Thompson Street has become the address for all that's stylish in New York City and learn how to copy his look in your home. O'Brien shares his design secrets and reveals how traditional elegance can be transformed into a luxurious and modern vision: - Thomas O'Brien is heating up the design scene with his trademark "warm" modernism. His signature style combines luxury and tradition with warm tones and lots of texture for a look that's redefining what it means to be modern. With a thriving design business that caters to some of the world's premiere style makers including Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani, O'Brien has become one of the hottest designers around.
Hotels are a great study in how to create small but chic spaces and at 60 Thompson, O'Brien has created a rich setting with equal parts vintage elegance and 21st-century edge. The mezzanine lounge is a mix of modern style and '40s glamour. Elegant, tufted banquettes mingle with parlor tables and classic leather seating (figure A) while lush oversized sofas mix with velvet chairs designed by O'Brien himself.O'Brien likes to add a little glow to his rooms and loves fireplaces with candles inside. To maximize space, O'Brien contrasts light and dark spaces so the dark upstairs hallways lead into very bright and light rooms.
At 60 Thompson, the glamorous beds are the main attraction. With glossy, dark wood headboards against a towering wall of leather, each bed has a romantic 1930's feel. O'Brien balanced this room with more modern forms like sleek end tables with chrome trim crowned by a geometric-shaped lamp (figure B). To get the same luxurious look for your bed, upholster a headboard with batting and ultra suede.The beauty of Thomas O'Brien's designs is that they adapt well to any space such as a stunning New York City penthouse in Tribeca. It began with grand details from the turn of the century but the rest of the space was cut-up, which was challenging.
O'Brien tackled the penthouse design with his talent for mixing the past with the present. He believes in restoring what you can (plaster details in this case) and added oversized modern forms like these O'Brien-designed club chairs (figure C).
Paneled doors make for flexible space, giving the apartment a new look at a moment's notice. This wall of doors can enclose the kitchen (figure D) or completely open it up to the rest of the apartment (figure E).Finally, versatility is a top priority in many Thomas O'Brien spaces. Instead of hanging artwork on a wall, try leaning pieces against a mantel--it's a trick that provides the freedom to change the look of your space whenever the mood strikes.
Resources 60 Thompson Hotel
60 Thompson St.
New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212-204-6464
Toll-Free: 877-431-0400
Fax: 212-431-0200
E-mail:
info@60thompson.com
Website:
www.60thompson.com
Guests Thomas O'Brien, Interior Designer, Aero Studios Ltd.
132 Spring St.
New York, NY 10021
Phone: 212-966-4700
Fax: 212-966-4701
E-mail:
info@aerostudios.com
Website:
www.aerostudios.com
Also in this Episode
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