Thomas O'Brien is one of the best-known interior designers in the country. His mix of the classic and the contemporary—termed 'warm modernism'—has everyone from individual homeowners to restauranteurs clamoring for his unique style.
After receiving a degree at Cooper Union in New York in 1986, O'Brien joined the Polo Ralph Lauren team as a creative director. After a few years, O'Brien opened Aero Studios (www.aerostudios.com), which the Web site describes as a 'combination interior design practice and fine furniture gallery.' However, Aero also includes textile and dinnerware items.
Windy City Times recently talked with O'Brien after a presentation at the Marshall Field's store on State Street concerning his lifestyle collection (which includes fabrics and dinnerware). He proved himself to be modest, affable, and thoroughly creative.
Windy City Times: I'm always interested in knowing how people are drawn to their careers. When did you know you wanted to be a designer?
Thomas O'Brien: I've always been interested in [design]. I've always been interested in learning about furniture. After I graduated from Cooper Union [School of Art], I worked as a designer for Details magazine—before it became a men's magazine. I became more and more interested in putting things together—and that interest extended to how I put my apartment together. After a chain of events, I started to work at Ralph Lauren and things took off from there.
WCT: How did your gig at Ralph Lauren happen?
TOB: I started in the Madison Avenue store doing displays on the Home Collection floor. I just had all these ideas (like taking down walls) and things grew from there. The stores still use some of those ideas.
WCT: I like the fact that your items are innovative, like the denim duvet in your textiles collection. Where do you get the inspiration to come up with products like that?
TOB: I like so many different kinds of things. I actually like fashion as much as I like home. Most of the denim bedding collections I've seen have not been that adult and I wanted to do something more sophisticated. The other thing is that I mix things all the time. They're all in tones that I like but I'll mix denim with stripes—and I hope people mix the items in my collection. [I hope they] use them like they would clothes.
WCT: So you want to inspire people.
TOB: Yes. I just want people to mix things in different ways [that suit them].
WCT: It sounds like you want to be a fashion designer.
TOB: [Smiles] Well ... let's see; I don't know. I do these bags in the store at New York. I also have my share of vintage clothes that I use for inspiration for the bedding, regarding color and stitching.
The nice thing is that I get to play because I have a store. I've been thinking about selling vintage coats. It's a little scary to think how many coats I have. I also have ideas about coats; I want to use canvas and leather.
WCT: I'll be sitting at the front row of your runway show. Now, could you tell me about Aero Studios?
TOB: It's a combination store and design studio. The store includes all the products I design; it has vintage and modern items and accessories. There's a small shop here at Marshall Field's State Street. The store is one of the most exciting things I do. If I had to pick between being a designer and being a merchant, that would be a hard [choice]. I might even lean toward being a merchant.
There's something about the challenge of having a store that I really get into. I like doing that 'pot luck' thing with ideas and putting them out.
WCT: What's the hardest thing about running a business?
TOB: The hardest thing is having a good staff. I think I have an incredible group, but it's taken years to build. It's just like a family. Having your family evolve [the way you want]—along with your business—is always the trick.
WCT: What's the top mistake people make when designing their own homes?
TOB: I think that people don't [invest enough] in upholstery. Upholstery is very important. It's not something to skimp on. I'd rather buy a really nice sofa now and get the other stuff later. The stuff you use a lot is extremely important. For example, you'd want to get a nice sofa or a nice mattress.
WCT: Your style is described as 'warm modernism.' What exactly is that?
TOB: You know what? That was in one of the first articles written about me—and it's followed me everywhere. I usually tell people that I don't like cold modern things. I like things that are warm and inviting. I prefer warm tones, not things that are cold and severe. It's not in my character to be that way. I don't feel comfortable in a hard, modern environment. That type of environment—with black leather, stone, and other things—doesn't feel restful.
Please take time to visit the Aero Studios department on the 6th floor of Marshall Field's on State Street.
