Thomas O’Brien: Part Deux
by habituallychic
06 . 15 . 09
When I started my blog, it was really an online inspiration album of tear sheets of all the interiors that I loved and wanted to save for myself. Since then, it’s become a whole lot more. Now, when I post something I always have to think about how it will be received or if my readers will be interested in it. I also try not to post something that has already been seen on another blog but in this case, I know you’ve already seen these photos of Thomas O’Brien‘s New York apartment but I couldn’t help but want to post them here too. They are some of my favorite images and I love the uniquely personal feel to this home. I recently visited a perfectly put together apartment and came home feeling so bad about all my books and magazines and clutter but this space says it’s ok to love things and want to display them. Thomas O’Brien is a collector’s kindred spirit and I can’t wait for his new book. I will add it to my already overstuffed shelves and think of his beautiful apartment every time I see it.
Photos by Martyn Thompson
12 Comments
I always feel that as a house is meant to be LIVED in, it should contain signs of life!! What is wrong with the person who DOESN’T have books, magazines, dvds, art or the like laying around!
I never tire of looking at this apartment. I read recently – maybe on Mrs.Blandings – that O’Brien never plans on moving out of this apartment. An amazing things for a designer to say…it seems like designers move every few years when an urge to start over comes across them.
I agree totally with post above. I often comment on interiors that look liveable.. meaning I could actually see a family or someone in there.. But you rarely see a place that looks lived in.. as this one does.. stuff is everywhere.. as it should be..
I am thrilled to see the random diplay of artwork, various, frames and sizes, finding a place that fit and hanging with pride.. Very comforting..
I so enjoy reading your blog Heather..
thanks
vitania
I remember this house from that House & Garden…this is when I fell in LOVE with Mr. O’Brien. Everything looks so layered and yet you feel like you could live in and with everything.
Wonderful.
xoxo
Rebecca June
The towels in my bathroom that get the most compliments are his Target ones. Yup!! Fluffy white with a 3 rows of tiny blue embroidery squares at the bottom. I tried in vain to find something higher end that matched they’re orderly wit but to no avail. Mans a genius even on a mass market scale!!!!!
Stefan – I’m always very suspicious of people without stuff! I just mentioned that to someone after I saw that apartment, even though I was a little jealous of the order. Lol.
Things that Inspire – if you look back at the older photos of the apartment, it’s much more clean and has less stuff. I think it looks evern better now that it’s been lived in and I don’t blame him for never wanting to move! I wouldn’t either!
Thanks Vitania! So glad you like it too!
Rebecca June – what’s funny is that overly cluttered interiors make me nervous and want to clean up but this one feels just right!
Alicia – Do they still make them? They sound great!
I agree – I can tell so much about a person by the books and photographs they have. They are our homes and should reflect our personalities in every way.
This space is just perfect – the perfect combination between moody and light, modern and eclectic. I agree, I love that you can really tell alot about the person who lives here!
I could see these photo over and over again and still miss some of the details. His eye has such a range and his taste and placement of objects seems to be unerring. I wish I could get my lived-in creative space to look like this. Love the art work, too. The balcony is where I could spend most of my summers. And I even spied my “Le Tigre” pillows on the “Papa” chair–love. Thanks!
I love the chic clutter of it 🙂
Shawna’s Study Abroad
the other nice thing about homes with “stuff” in them is that often the objects one gravitates to (whether clothes or books or bags) are a good complement to the home they live in, color and style-wise. so peoples’ stuff tends to look good around their own home – often better than it would in someone else’s home, because it is of the same sensibility.
i bought this issue! and his apartment is my inspiration!