Hearst Designer Visions: Thomas O'Brien

The third space in the Hearst Designer Visions Show House was designed by Thomas O'Brien of Aero Studios for Veranda magazine.  He was inspired by the 1987 firm Someone to Watch Over Me starring Mimi Rogers and Tom Berenger.  A bit more by the song of the same name and the prewar glamour of the apartment that Mimi Rogers lives in on the Upper East Side. One thing that Thomas O'Brien is a master at is accessorizing and styling.  Probably helps that he owns his own store from which to borrow an eclectic collection of objects as well furniture from his line for Hickory Chair.  You can read more online at Veranda here.

The upholstered bookcases with nailhead trim had me at hello.  I definitely need to own these someday. I love bookcases with closed storage below to hide stationery and unattractive or embarrassing self help books. 

Some books were covered in colored paper and finished off with accessories.

The wall color is Polaris from Ralph Lauren Paint and it too changed color according to the light.  During the day it looked blue and when I attended the opening night party, it looked more grey.  You should always test paint and look at it at different times of day and in different light.

I also like that the bookshelves were placed off center.  It means the television is closer to the sofa and it allows room for the sculpture in the corner. Thomas O'Brien didn't follow the usual furniture plan of two chairs directly across from the sofa but they could probably be moved anywhere someone wanted to sit.

Most of the fabric in the room is Thomas O'Brien for Lee Jofa and Kravet.  The trim is from Samuel & Sons.

There were interesting accessories everywhere you looked in the room.

Some pieces also have an Asian influence. 

The vintage rug from Safaviah has a flower motif is complemented by the round coffee table.

More objects and books.

I loved this little turtle on the living room coffee table.

Much of the large artwork is from Natural Curiosities. 

Round table calls for a round bowl.

The dining area of the room has an expandable table from Hickory Chair.  

The Tree of Life artwork is by Natural Curiosities.

I always think that pieces from another culture like this blue and white porcelain give you the sense that the owner travels and collects. Even if they just come from Pearl River.

This was my favorite kitchen.  The Brazilian Ruby wall color from Ralph Lauren Paint warms up the clean lines of the cabinetry.

I love adding accessories and even lamps to kitchens and bathrooms.  This little lamp is the perfect size for under the cabinets.

They are calling this room the library but it also serves as a breakfast room. The wallcovering is Island Ikat from Thibaut.

This photo is slightly blurry but I wanted you to see the great wall of bookshelves on the other side of the room.

The Marielle dinnerware is Thomas O'Brien for Reed & Barton as is the flatware.

Thomas O'Brien also created a soothing blue bedroom.  

Much of the furniture in the master bedroom is Thomas O'Brien for Hickory Chair.

The headboard shape is especially lovely.

This is the famous desk that made it's way into the Sex and the City 2 movie.

Couldn't resist taking a photo of this cute little guy.

The wing chair fabric is Kalina from Kravet.

I like the juxtaposition of the photograph and floral fabric.  It keeps the room from being too sweet.

I think I need this little rope covered stool too.

A fat little Buddha sits atop the dresser.

More photography.

I absolutely love that the curtain fabric by Kravet creates a pattern when pulled back.  Most of the time you lose the pattern.  They were fabricated by Jonas who is a master so that accounts for their perfection.

It might be hard to tell but the green in the fabrics picks up on the green trees of Central Park right outside the window.  This apartment had a really lovely view.

The master bathroom is just down the hallway.

It was created by S. Russell Groves and might actually my favorite room of all.  

All of the fixtures are Kohler and that black and white floor is so chic.

This little Lucite table is from Plexi-Craft.

I love the black outlines around the room.

There is a great view from the bathroom.  Too bad the neighbors in the next building would also be able to see you unless you used lots of bubbles!

Another look at the view.

The entrance had another beautiful carpet and lots of art.

This is the perfect sized accent table for New York apartments. Another large Hickory Chair dresser, below,  makes a perfect entry table for hiding papers or perhaps hats and gloves for a walk in the park.

I hope you've enjoyed this tour of the three spaces in the Hearst Designer Visions Cinema Style Show House. As I mentioned, it's one of my favorite events and I can't wait to see what they come up with next year.  If you missed attending in person, I heard that it might be open again on October 22nd through the Junior League.  

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Hearst Designer Visions: Jed Johnson Associates

Jed Johnson Associates is a wonderful design firm in New York but the one I had the least familiarity with at the Hearst Designer Visions Cinema Style Show House.  It was nice to be able to see their work up close and learn more about then.  While I knew that Jed Johnson had died in the crash of TWA flight 800 and that his twin brother Jay took over and was able to keep Jed Johnson Associates up and running, I did not know that he had been the partner of Andy Warhol.  He was also a director on many of his films and had decorated Andy's townhouse which led to more design work and to his eponymous firm.  Because of that relationship, Heather Moore a designer at Jed Johnson Associates chose Factory Girl as the inspiration for their space.  It was also convenient that she could borrow many original Andy Warhol paintings from the office such as the flowers above the sofa. 

It was completely a coincidence that both Jed Johnson Associates and Carrier and Company both used orange in their apartments.  Maybe they thought it might be nice for a fall show house and the leaves would be changing in the park or perhaps they just like orange as much as me.  Whatever the case, I love the burnt orange color on the walls which is Cork from Ralph Lauren Paint. 

Jed Johnson Associates was paired with House Beautiful magazine and you can already see this space on the cover and in the new November 2011 issue. It's styled with more flowers and accents in the magazine too. 

The wavy patterned rug is by Raymond Loewy from Edward Fields. 

The interesting bench in front of the window is from Jed Johnson Home.

The Antwerp sofa is from Berns Fry.  I also wouldn't normally think of pairing a grey sofa with orange walls but it all works beautifully.

I like that the motifs and the pillows play off the Andy Warhol Flowers. 

Besides the decor, the star of the room is the view of Central Park.

The dining area shares space in the living room.

That James Nares painting is also a show stopper.

The sideboard is parchment from Lorin Marsh.

The dinnerware is by Rosenthal while the glassware, vase and saltshakers are by Calvin Klein. 

Side chairs are Sussex by Oly.

The dining table is the Dakota by Julien Chichester and the dining chairs are Cyril by Oly. I love the Heather Moore for Jed Johnson Associates chose some very affordable pieces for this space. 

Heather Moore told House Beautiful that she imagined Edie Sedgewick grown and married and living in this apartment.  

The burnt orange walls change colors depending on the lighting and time of day.  They also complement the neutral kitchen designed by S. Russell Groves. 

If I lived in this apartment, I would have installed pocket doors to hide the kitchen mess from guests during dinner parties.  I also just don't like open kitchens.  

View of the dining area with the brown den just beyond. 

The den was painted in Arrow Wood from Ralph Lauren Paint in a suede finish.

I love placing more personal photos such as these of Edie and Andy in the more private areas of an apartment.

You can see a little of the suede wall finish in this photo.  It looks like someone ran their hand over it and smoothed down the nap of the suede. 

The cocktail table is Bruno by Oly. 

It's a little hard to tell but the screen looks like Paint by Number images.  I don't see a credit listed so it might be vintage.  It was something so unique that I've never seen another one.  

Two of the show house spaces are connected so I wondered into this space from the wrong side. I had to go back and experience the entry as it is meant to be seen from the front door.  

The Burt Glinn photo of Edie Sedgwick, Andy Warol, and Chuck Wein is a perfect image to greet guests in a space inspired by Factory Girl. 

I didn't see a credit listed for the bust but I would buy it in a heartbeat if it was something reasonably priced.  I love the cheekiness of the lipstick.  If I can't find it, I might have to make my own. 

The master bedroom lamps were chosen because they sparkled like earrings that Edie Sedgwick used to wear.

The bed is Jed Johnson Home and it's masculinity is softened by the sparkly lamps, floral draperies, and shades of lavender. 

The wall color is Victorian Lace by Ralph Lauren Paint. 

The lamps are by Best & Lloyd through George Smith.

The art is the master bedroom is also from the collection of Jed Johnson.

I love the look of this Papa Bear chair designed by Hans Wegner reproduced by Manzanares. 

Of course, Factory Girl was planning on the flat screen television. 

This room was designed with a 12 year old girl in mind.  Albeit, a very sophisticated New York city 12 year old girl. 

I think kids of any age would love sitting in the Bubble chair designed by Eero Aarino. 

The headboard fabric is Madras Lilla by Brouchier.

New York kids learn a lot about art a young age, hence the books.

The bed linens are Calvin Klein Home.

More interesting art. 

I didn't see a credit listed for the dresser or mirror but I like how the round mirror complements the round drawer handles.

The writing desk is also by Jed Johnson Home.

Another view of the Bubble chair. I like how it has its own stand instead of having to be screwed into the ceiling.

It was a grey day when I visited the Hearst Designer Visions Cinema Style Show House but the view of Central Park is spectacular no matter what the weather, below.

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic