Thomas O'Brien interiors typically use a limited color palette of creamy neutrals paired with darker wood furniture. This chromatic discipline makes for spaces that are incredibly peaceful and airy without being at all minimalist or cold. It is virtually impossible to tell which furnishings are antique or vintage and which are new, since he blends old and new so seamlessly, never including anything too fancy or precious to be useful.
Indeed, despite the stylishness of O'Brien's interiors, functionality is obviously paramount. The sofas and chairs in his rooms look comfy and inviting, for one thing, and even though there is always an inspired mix of objects and furnishings, there is never anything resembling clutter.
His recent redecoration of his own loft reveals a shift towards collecting and eclecticism. In the above images, you can see O'Brien's home at three points in time, June 1998 (image 6), July 2006 (image 5) and November 2007 (image 4), and the progression towards texture and variety is unmistakable. But again, the objects enliven the space without overpowering it; the neutral backdrop is maintained throughout, preserving that trademark O'Brien calmness and sense of place.
Luckily, O'Brien has created several opportunities for us all to access his designs, in case hiring him to design your home isn't in this year's budget. His amazing housewares shop, Aero, combines O'Brien's original designs with well-edited antiques and international finds, and is probably the only store you will ever want to live in permanently (Seriously. I call dibs). Hickory Chair carries a line of O'Brien's designs (many of which are available at Aero), which perfectly walk the updated-traditional line. And you can accessorize with his tableware and decor from Target or Reed and Barton, depending on your price point. O'Brien has also designed Aero and Aero Retro bathroom hardware collections for Waterworks.
Thomas O'Brien's first book, American Modern, came out earlier this year.
Images: 1-4 Photos by Martyn Thompson for House & Garden Nov 2007; 5 & 7 William Waldron for Elle Decor, July/Aug 2006; 6 Thibault Jeanson for The New York Times Magazine, June 1996; 8 Laura Resen for Elle Decor, Aug/Sept 2004; 9-11 Laura Resen for Town and Country, June 2003; 12-14 Eric Boman for House and Garden, May 2005; 15 Hickory Chair. All images via Aerostudios.com.
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I've loved O'Brien's style since 1998, or maybe before - when I first encountered him in a shelter magazine. That he has evolved, allowed himself a little more stuff all around, is healthy. What I remember from my earliest view of his work is the desk from his house in the country, with everything this boy would want, including a baseball glove. I'm also deeply fond of the maps of constellations that recur in his homes.
Anna, I always appreciate your informative and insightful posts. It is not easy to attain O'Brien's restrained palette and harmonious assemblage of objects. Who might be the female counterpart to this style?
I remember his small shop on Spring Street with a huge table piled with objects. Thomas was always there. Very friendly & charming. Always impeccable taste from the start.
He's always been one of my favorites! Thanks for the reminder of how much I love his work.
First: I love Thomas O'Brien (and his book is great). Second: what are the rules regarding AT posting photographs directly from books, etc? Just wondering because there seems to be a lot of reposting of images...do you have to ask the designers, photographers and/or publishers permission?
Love his rooms and his furniture collections - He has a fabulous sense of style.
But Anne, there's nothing remotely MidCentury about anything in the 12th photo - not even the flush pocket door pulls.
It has to be said the man himself is pretty nice to look at too. He is everything his interiors are; elegant, restrained, masculine, classic, seemingly unstudied but really well thought out and carefully put together.
Lovely, just lovely.
If you like TO at all, I strongly recommend you purchase his book which was published this past April. It is fairly inexpensive online... It's wonderful, and contains a lot of insight from him.