Photo by William Jess Laird …
Photo by William Jess Laird …
Photo by William Jess Laird …
DESIGNER OF THE DAY

Designer of the Day: Bryan O’Sullivan

Irish designer Bryan O’Sullivan always tries to bring the comforts of a five-star hotel home. His studio has spent more than a decade creating interiors across residential, hospitality, and restaurant projects, guided by an eclectic European point of view and the classical proportions of mid-century French and Italian architecture. Starting his career under David Collins, he has since worked on Claridge’s and The Connaught in London and the Frick’s new Westmoreland restaurant. His latest project is Chilston Court, a new residential development in Greenwich, Connecticut, from Caspi Development, the team behind Fouquet’s New York.

Irish designer Bryan O’Sullivan always tries to bring the comforts of a five-star hotel home. His studio has spent more than a decade creating interiors across residential, hospitality, and restaurant projects, guided by an eclectic European point of view and the classical proportions of mid-century French and Italian architecture. Starting his career under David Collins, he has since worked on Claridge’s and The Connaught in London and the Frick’s new Westmoreland restaurant. His latest project is Chilston Court, a new residential development in Greenwich, Connecticut, from Caspi Development, the team behind Fouquet’s New York.

Photo by William Jess Laird …
Photo by James McDonald …

Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.

Name: Bryan O’Sullivan

Occupation: Founder of Bryan O’Sullivan Studio

Instagram: @bosstudio

Hometown: Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland

Studio Location: London & New York

Describe what you make: Our studio creates contemporary, livable interiors with an elegant, eclectic European point of view, spanning residential, hospitality, restaurant, bar and maritime projects. I’d say our hallmarks are interiors that are timeless yet truly original, sophisticated yet irreverent, and always welcoming. High-quality natural materials and textiles are always our focus. Our aesthetic favors a simple, authentic glamour, achieved through refined lines and inviting curvilinear shapes, paired with custom contemporary furnishings and carefully chosen antiques. I approach every project with fresh eyes, because I want each client to have something truly unique. That includes custom-made furniture and lighting, which we create for every commission.

Describe the problem your work solves: People remember how a space makes them feel, so we design around atmosphere, flow, and the rituals of everyday life. The aim is a place that feels intuitive, generous, and personal from the outset: collected rather than decorated. Collaboration is central to that; we work with a global community of creatives and artisans who have spent years honing their skills, bringing their extraordinary craftsmanship to our interiors to create something incredibly rich and layered.

The most important thing you’ve designed to date: Westmoreland, the restaurant at the Frick, was a very special project for us. Designing the museum’s first café was a real privilege, and it brought me full circle, since I started my career at Selldorf Architects, who led the renovation.

Photo by William Jess Laird …
Photo by Sabsile Appleton …

Describe the project you are working on now: Maybourne Saint Germain, a luxury palace-style hotel scheduled to open in 2027.

A new or forthcoming project we should know about: Chilston Court is a new luxury development located in the heart of downtown Greenwich. The development features 78 homes, from two-bedroom residences starting at approximately 2,000 square feet to penthouses, all classically proportioned. My goal at Chilston Court was to create a living experience that feels welcoming from the moment residents cross the threshold. Expansive private entry foyers lead into equally generous living spaces filled with natural light from large windows and loggias. Every detail has been carefully considered, from the custom lighting and marble pieces to the designer oak flooring, so that each home has its own distinctive character.

What you absolutely have to have in your studio: BBC Radio 6 in the background, good coffee from Dose across the road, and a candle burning, ideally our own, Obsidian.

Photo by William Jess Laird …
Photo by William Jess Laird …

What you do when you’re not working: Spend time with my kids and James.

Sources of creative envy (dead or alive): Carlo Scarpa, for making every junction feel like a jewel.

The distraction you want to eliminate:  The phone. Always the phone.

Concrete or marble? Marble, always.

High-Rise Or Townhouse? A townhouse for now, but I’ll return to a high-rise one day.

Remember or Forget? Remember because details are the whole job.

Aliens or Ghosts? Aliens.

Dark Or Light? Light.

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