Sophisticated yet irreverent, curvilinear shapes and rich textiles are the hallmark of Bryan O’Sullivan’s new collection
Photography by Giulio Ghirardi
Words by Alia Akkam
When he was a child, designer Bryan O’Sullivan frequently holed up in his grandfather’s studio for hours at a time, mesmerised by the talented self-taught draughtsman’s work process while experimenting with his own drawing style.
‘I learnt so much about design and the function, form, and beauty of creating furniture from him,’ recalls the native of County Kerry, Ireland. ‘Ever since then, I’ve been sketching ideas.’
O’Sullivan’s early ambition to bring a full-fledged range of furniture to life manifested in July (auspiciously in tandem with the 10-year anniversary of founding his eponymous London and New York practice) as an evolution of the bespoke products he regularly integrates into a plethora of swank residential and hospitality interiors.
Photography by Giulio Ghirardi
‘Designing those pieces has brought such joy—not only because of the relationships we’ve built along the way with talented makers and artists—but quite often our own creations have been the missing piece to the puzzle in so many of our projects,’ he explains.
Numerous requests for those creations were the direct impetus behind Bryan O’Sullivan Studio’s expansive inaugural collection of furniture, lighting, and objects, which exudes a desirable mix of glamor and whimsy. Comfort was top of mind in all designs, as was a sense of humour, yet it’s the quality craftsmanship that lends each one a timeless air.
Consider the undulating double-tiered Stamp stool, the Schurmann table light spawned from glass resembling a jewel, or the soft, cocooning, fluted Croissant sofa. The rippled Jellyfish mirror, inspired by the vivid sunsets glimpsed through his apartment windows, is fashioned out of ‘extraordinary hand-poured resin, with a gradual fade to mimic the fabulous glow of evening light,’ O’Sullivan elaborates.
Photography by Giulio Ghirardi
Another of his favourites is the imposing Davies side table, showcasing a sleek Kilkenny limestone base. It was originally dreamed up for suites at London’s iconic Claridge’s hotel, but its ‘elegant form makes it work so well in many different spaces,’ O’Sullivan points out. He’s also a big fan of the walnut Harvest dining table, handmade by Ireland’s Dunleavy Bespoke, that can be bolstered by an inlay of brass motifs.
The Bryan O’Sullivan Collection’s embrace of motley finishes, including burl wood, Irish crystal, nickel, and onyx, adds ‘texture and depth, which I feel sparks greater interest and intrigue,’ says O’Sullivan. A palette that celebrates uplifting hues like pastel blue, pink, and yellow, is another standout.
Growing this dynamic division of the studio is certainly a priority for O’Sullivan, who hopes that in time it spins off into a curation of smaller, more accessible accessories, too, such as scented candles planted in Murano vessels.
Photography by Giulio Ghirardi
Until then, the public is invited to see the first iteration at a permanent Mayfair gallery space launching during London Design Festival next month (16-24 September), where a piece that is deeply personal to O’Sullivan is sure to make a particularly vivid impression.
The glittering Cosmo lamp, named for his son, is the handiwork of a silversmith from the South of France. Strewn with ethically sourced ruby cabochons and crowned in an ethereal silk-linen shade, O’Sullivan says, ‘it’s divine.’
Get a curated collection of design and architecture news in your inbox by signing up to our ICON Weekly newsletter