33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning interiors with an opulent and unusual early/mid 20th century vibe, April 9, 2010
This review is from: American Modern (Hardcover)
It amazes me how few design inspirations there are for British houses built 1900-1950. A huge number of our suburban family homes date from this period, yet British interior designers and retailers seem incredibly reluctant to engage with them, and there are very few looks available to those wanting to avoid wholesale modernisation.
Either you go down the Cath Kidston route (way too girlie and twee for most blokes); or the retro Pedlars look (shabby AND expensive, a combination to make your mother weep); or the wholesale Utility or Art Deco re-creation (the Geffrye museum via Ebay, for those who really want to dedicate years of their life to replicating an Agatha Christie stage set).
Well, folks, now there's an alternative. And it's BEAUTIFUL. 'American Modern' - which has nothing specifically American about it, and is absolutely not what Europeans would call "modern" at all - is the signature style of the book's author, a New York decorator called Thomas O'Brien, who is very famous in the US apparently, though I hadn't heard of him until now.
O'Brien's interiors have a very polished and opulent style that incorporates a ton of "stuff": piles of interesting travel relics and eclectic gewgaws surrounded by early 20th century antiques, dreamy line illustrations and photography, sumptuous upholstery, foxed mirrorglass furniture, chrome, marble, linen, silk and velvet, all in divinely muted colour palettes. (If I ever re-do my sitting room, I'm going his 'shades of blue hydrangea' all the way). Think pre-war Hollywood movies, the great grand hotels of the world, and deposed royalty living it up in Park Avenue and Cadogan Square mansion flats. Dahlink, I kennot tell you, it's etterly febulous.
This book is not for the faint of heart, or the light of pocket. Its ideas are way too luxe for owners of teeny-tiny pre-war semis and bungalows (who should check out the 'Domino' book or Ann Grafton's 'Interior Transformations' instead). And if you're a minimalist, or think 20th century modernity should be all Eames and brutalist architecture, you'll almost certainly hate it. But for those who prefer a richer and more overtly decorated look, this really is the most stunning property porn I've seen in a long while.
'House & Garden' addicts who, like me, salivate over the work of Emily Todhunter, Neisha and Charlotte Crosland, Nina Campbell or Guy Goodfellow will adore 'American Modern', and will soon be adding Thomas O'Brien to their list of design crushes (he's also absurdly handsome if his author photo is anything to go by). As for those of you who have, or aspire to have, a BIG early 20th century house, and want a glamorous, impressive, sexy yet comfortable interior, do not dare pick up even a paintbrush until you've checked out this gorgeous book.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Modern Classic, March 27, 2010
This review is from: American Modern (Hardcover)
If you like a fresh, original mix of classic styles with modern, you'll love this book. Modern can easily be too sterile or cold, but Thomas O'Brien knows how to warm it up with light and grace. I loved this book, and think it will become a best-seller and classic among lovers of interior design. The author shows how to interpret modern style in combinations such as vintage modern, urban modern, formal modern etc. as illustrated by his various design projects including his own residences.
One of my favorite residences is the former Academy on Long Island which O'Brien renovated and repurposed for his own home. I've found that many designers design wonderful living and sleeping rooms, but I'm not as fond of their kitchens and bathrooms. O'Brien's kitchens and baths are amazing--the kitchen in his former Academy is luscious. Note the white cork floor. The book also features a guest house kitchen with wonderfully unique bar stools.
What I admire about O'Brien's work is that it has a certain anonymity--it doesn't scream his name as some designer's projects do where they look more like the designer than the client. You can tell someone with a keen design sensibility and deftness designed these rooms. You want to study the rooms and read about how the designer approached the project and the reasoning behind the decisions he made which O'Brien explains in this book. You can get into the mind of a great designer for a few hours.
For those of us who enjoy eclectic style and want to know how to adeptly mix antiques with modern furniture, this book will train your eye in how to do it successfully. It's also full of images that illustrate how to use loved and original accessories beautifully. I enjoyed this book so much I'm going to recommend that my library get it as I think it has a universal appeal and timelessness of style that will last for a long time. The book is beautifully crafted and a pleasure to view.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a meticulous, beautiful book, April 15, 2010
This review is from: American Modern (Hardcover)
I have been a fan of Thomas O'Brien for quite a while--having lusted after many a magazine photo of his interior and furniture designs and having been to his store, Aero, in New York. But even if you're not familiar with his work, you should buy this book. His style is quirky yet timeless, warm but elegant, and he's somehow found a way to make sure antiques never look dowdy and modern never feels cold. Best of all, he's written a book that doesn't talk down to the reader. You may not get every obscure historic reference or construction detail, but it's nice to hear from someone who knows his stuff and wants to share that knowledge and passion. He is a meticulous designer and he's written a meticulous, beautiful book. Buy it!
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