Thomas O’Brien’s American Vintage Modern Casually Elegant Collection
by habituallychic
10 . 25 . 09
The best part of High Point was definitely meeting all the designers and having them walk us through their spaces. I also loved that Hickory Chair allowed the designers to not only display their furniture for Hickory Chair but also their lines for other vendors which created a wonderfully styled space that ended up looking more like a real home than a showroom. This was especially true of Thomas O’Brien’s rooms that were a great mix of his furniture for Hickory Chair, rugs from his collection for Safavieh, his bedding for Target, accessories from his shop Aero, and china and flatware from his line for Reed & Barton. The rooms also represented what he called his Gemini love of both vintage and modern, and elegant and casual pieces, much of which was based on furniture he has collected over the years. I really found them inspiring and hope you do too!
Photos by Heather Clawson
15 Comments
Wow!! Mr. O’Brien has created so many amazing pieces that it’s impossible for me to select just one favourite piece (although I LOVE both the secretary and the curved 3 drawer chests!!). Every piece is an absolute classic, and would be treasured for many years to come. Thanks, Heather, for the amazing photos.
J’ADORE! Thanks for the visual feast…
Hi Heather,
Hickory Chair is a great place to get lost in (literally, I can never find my way out). So many lovely collections to see. I ran into Thomas while I was there. Great collection. I didn’t see Suzanne this time 🙁 I only saw Alexa at lunch and she was busy, busy. She was being paged ~ not sure why. I have never heard a designer being paged before. I am enjoying reliving Hickory Chair through your posts!
Paula Grace
P.S. I am posting your interview next week!
O’Brien is one of my all time favorites! So jealous you got to meet him. Will definitely be using these photos as inspiration for the bachelor pad I’m working on. We’re so spoiled to have you share all this with us! Safe travels home.
XX Kate
This is so great. Hickory Chair teams up with some fantastic designers. Loved when they had Barbara Barry too. Thomas O’Brian is really creative and strategic. Especially love those “book case” cube thingies!
Yes, yes, YEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!
Oh I love love Thomas O’Brien. THank you for all the photos! I will be going back through to study.
Heather- I couldn’t make it to High Point last week so all of your photos and recaps are great and a huge help!
Does anyone know anything about those bookcase/display/linen cabinets? I can’t find them any where on any of O’Brien’s sites!
ish, I went to Hickory Chair’s website and it’s probably one of these three (not sure which you were describing):
http://hickorychair.com/product_detail.aspx?i=3741
http://hickorychair.com/product_detail.aspx?i=4783
http://hickorychair.com/product_detail.aspx?i=4713
SO amazing I love the bookcases I am so inspired!
thomas o brien is amazing
Decofan you are an effing genius! You found it — the second on your list, “Davis cabinet”. I had looked and hadn’t found it, but I was stuck on the idea that they were bookcases. Thanks!!!!
This is SO what I have been talking about … especially the BIG cabinets and BIG shelves that have STUFF. I love the references to classic American design with the wood and sumptuous chairs, but especially I like that these designs recognize that people have things and need a place to put them. So many designs may look nice, but obviously the people they are designed for don’t own much. Who has only seven CDs or fourteen books?
Thomas and his staff are the nicest, most unpretentious people around. It’s great that they are also SO TALENTED and design such beautiful things.