OB WORLD

Bloomsbury Style in Interior Design

As a studio, we look to different movements and periods throughout history to inform our design. From the lavish interiors that defined the Regency period to the minimalist and contemporary feel of Mid-Century Modern, design provides an endless and rich source of reference. A movement in design history that feels particularly relevant at the moment is Bloomsbury style. Formed...

February 9, 2021|Style

How To Style A Luxury Bar Cart

A true icon of the Art Deco era, we love how a bar cart makes an instant style statement. Popularised during the 1920s-1970s, drinks trolleys are experiencing a revival once more as we currently spend more time at home. A practical, portable and stylish piece of furniture, keep reading to learn our expert tips to styling your own bar cart.

January 25, 2021|Style

Bridgerton: Our Love Affair With Regency Interiors

Celebrated as the ‘age of elegance’, the Georgian era is the backdrop for Netflix’s sumptuous new series Bridgerton. Inspired by best-selling author Julia Quinn’s novels, the plotline follows two competing families in London in the early 1800s: the understatedly elegant Bridgertons and the ostentatiously wealthy Featheringtons. The exquisite interiors reflects each...

September 11, 2020|Style

Art Deco Style in Interior Design

Art Deco first appeared in France and is short for ‘Arts Décoratifs’ after the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts held in Paris in 1925. Considered the epitome of glamour in the Roaring Twenties, this eclectic movement references the geometric forms of Cubism, the machine-style of Futurism, as well as its predecessor Art Nouveau....

July 28, 2020|Style

Jewellery for the Home: Passementerie

Passementerie is a French term, which encompasses ribbons, trimmings and tassels used to adorn clothing and furnishings. This age-old technique enhances curtains, pillows and upholstery through embellishment, transforming these commonplace items into works of art in their own right. These trimmings can be both bold and understated, adding the all-important finishing touch to a...

June 23, 2020|Style

Craftsmanship in Design: Our Top 5 Artisans

Craftsmanship in design has a rich and long legacy, which has seen time-honoured skills and expertise passed down from generation to generation, but adapted to meet modern tastes and requirements. At the top end of the market, our clientele are seeking exclusivity and exceptional quality, and this is where we enlist the skill of artisans and craftsmen to create something...

April 16, 2020|Style

The Colour of Hope: The Blue Edit

Colour authority Pantone unveiled Classic Blue as their Colour of the Year for 2020. One of the strongest hues within the colour psychology spectrum, blue instils a sense of calm and is associated with loyalty, security and trust. In solidarity with the NHS and all the incredible work they do to save lives, we have collated a sensory edit of our favourite blue-hued places,...

April 8, 2020|Style

Sharon Lillywhite on Staying Inspired From Home

We sit down with Sharon, Founding Partner, to find out her working from home routine, what is currently inspiring her and her self-isolation tips.

January 21, 2020|Style

Super-Prime Bathroom Design

At Oliver Burns, we are thought leaders in luxury bathroom design. In an increasingly fast-paced and technology-driven world, we understand the practical and emotional value of a beautiful bathroom. Traditionally a private domain within the home, we are seeing the division between the bedroom and bathroom removed to create expansive, open plan areas and suites that maximise the...

January 20, 2020|Style

Luxury Soft Furnishings

Adding texture to a space is an all-important consideration when designing any interior scheme. Without texture a room will have the same visual tone and tactile feel, which can result in it feeling flat and uninspiring. Fabric is an effective way to instantly create an inviting atmosphere in a space, especially when contrasting materials are layered together to add visual...

January 15, 2020|Style

Project Focus: Belgravia Townhouse

In a charming Belgravia enclave, this Grade II listed white stuccoed residence with portico entrance represents Georgian grandeur at its best. Responsible for not only the design, but also the build, Oliver Burns acted as designer, development manager and main contractor for an international client on this inspiring project, solely responsible for crafting and delivering its transformation.

January 5, 2020|Style

Art in London’s Finest Residences

London is one of the greatest artistic epicentres, with world-renowned galleries such as The Royal Academy, The National Gallery and the Tate Galleries displaying some of the finest and most highly valued masterpieces. From Seurat’s Bathers at Asnières to Diego Velázquez’s Rokeby Venus, London is a treasure trove of iconic and celebrated works of art. However, it is no...

October 26, 2019|Style

Project Focus: Regent's Park Townhouse

Situated overlooking The Regent’s Park, this exquisite Grade I listed Nash townhouse has it all. From floor to ceiling windows and grand fireplaces, to sublime architectural details, the natural beauty of this Regency gem is breath-taking. Set over six stunning floors, we designed this family home for lovely long-standing clients who had just become new parents, so...

September 26, 2019|Style

Art in Super-Prime Interiors

Artwork has been traditionally viewed as the finishing touch to dressing a home, providing the proverbial cherry on top. However, recently we have observed a reverse trend where art can inform how the structure of a home is designed. From reinforced floors, to freight elevators to bear the weight of heavy paintings, the architectural fabric of the building is now carefully...

March 13, 2019|Style

Project Focus: The Lakehouse

Situated on the tranquil shores of the Italian lakes, with a stunning backdrop of mountains and cypress-fringed water, we created this stunning villa as a family holiday home for a dear long-standing client. A derelict property that had fallen into great disrepair through the generations, our client purchased the home four years ago and commissioned Oliver Burns to lead...

January 18, 2019|Style

5 Reasons Why You Should Commission a British Interior Designer

As international studios increasingly look to make their mark on the UK scene, our Managing Director Alex Holden explains why British design – and designers – will always be in fashion…

December 8, 2018|Style

Fringe Revival

No longer the domain of opulent, stuffy interiors, the fringe is back and it’s better than ever. Adorning catwalks and interiors this season and beyond, we explore why fringing is set to become the new classic, adding instant glamour to whatever it touches.

December 7, 2018|Style

All I Want For Christmas

From candles to PJ’s topping our Christmas gift wish lists, some of our team share what they would like to find under the tree on Christmas day. Read on for some stylish gift inspiration.

August 15, 2018|Style

Please Vote For Us!

On your marks, get set, vote! We are delighted that Oliver Burns has been nominated for “Best Interior Designer Blog’ in the prestigious #IBA18 awards, celebrating the most authoritative and respected blogs in interior design. Please take the time to vote for our blog, OB World, here – it would mean so much to us to have your vote!

May 22, 2018|Style

A Week in The Life of Alex Holden

Ever wondered what it takes to run a luxury architectural interior design studio? From journalists to site meetings and everything in between, read the diary of Alex Holden and discover a week in the life of Oliver Burns’ Managing Director.

February 20, 2018|Style

Monochrome Interiors

Black and white will always be a classic; a colour combination that isn’t dictated to by changing seasons, it has a timeless, elegant appeal. Fresh, modern updates of this stylish palette have continued to feature on runways this season and it was a key look at Maison et Objet. Read on to find out what our designers think it takes to create the perfect monochromatic scheme.

February 19, 2018|Style

London Fashion Week AW18 Trends

From Erdem and Preen’s luxurious, textured florals to Emilia Wickstead’s mismatched prints, the capital’s runways were awash with innovative new trends this February. As always, we are drawing interiors inspiration from the unique craftsmanship of this season’s showcase – and if London Fashion Week can teach us anything, it’s that rules are there to be broken.

January 12, 2018|Style

Pantone Colour of the Year 2018

We love Pantone’s colour of the year for 2018 – our very own hue of Purple – Ultra Violet! The most complex of all colours, this deep, vibrant shade has always been the colour of ultimate luxury due to the effort it takes to produce; linking it to wealth, power and royalty.

December 14, 2017|Style

Our Christmas Wishlist

Christmas is coming and we can’t wait! We know that being with loved ones is what makes us happiest at Christmas, but for fun, we asked some of the team to share what they would like to find in their dream stocking on Christmas day. Read on for some stylish gift list inspiration.

December 2, 2017|Style

Christmas Interiors: The Top Three Design Trends

Christmas for most conjures up images of a roaring fireplace festooned with stockings, tables laden with a festive banquet and rooftops covered in a dusting of snow. It is these age-old traditions which make Christmas such a nostalgic and special time of the year. Typically associated with the colours red and green, a modern Christmas can be just as enchanting as a classic one...

August 18, 2017|Style

5 Minutes With Alex Holden

We sit down for 5 minutes with our Managing Director, Alex Holden, to find out what it's like working with developers, the best thing about the design industry and the far flung place at the top of his bucket list....

June 16, 2017|Style

Modern Tailoring in Interiors

This week marked the 5th anniversary of the hotly anticipated Men’s Fashion Week in London. A firm fixture in the sartorial calendar, this 4-day event showcases the trends which come next spring will adorn shopfronts across the country. Vertical stripes, neon shades and playful layers where just three of the trends to emerge from this week’s offerings, showcased by...

June 9, 2017|Style

New York Loft Living

In New York City, the most iconic type of home is by far the loft apartment. In a city where every square foot is to be treasured, the open plan layout of a light and expansive loft is highly coveted. Considered to be luxury prestige homes, what makes these spaces so special is the combination of industrial heritage features combined with a light and airy aesthetic. We trace...

April 27, 2017|Style

Quintessentially British Style

Quintessentially British style can come in many guises, from a stately home nestled in the countryside to an elegant Georgian townhouse, the essence of British décor remains charmingly elusive. The unique marriage of eccentricity, elegance and subtle wit has ensured British interior design has remained enduringly popular, offering an attractive alternative to the prevalence of...

April 6, 2017|Style

Design Diary: Salone del Mobile 2017

Our design team paid a visit to the bustling Italian city of Milan this week to attend the ever-inspiring Salone del Mobile. Running from the 4th-9th of April, this internationally renowned event showcases the very best in global furniture and homeware in a city celebrated for its creativity and culture. Running concurrently alongside Salone del Mobile is the International...

February 24, 2017|Style

London Fashion Week 2017: 3 Tailoring Trends

Studwork London Fashion Week showcased a plethora of trends that referenced techniques traditionally used in tailoring and dressmaking. From the understated glamour of studwork to timelessly stylish stripes, the Autumn/Winter 2017 collections incorporated aspects of gentleman’s tailoring in a modern and unexpected way. New York fashion house Altuzarra interpreted the...

January 6, 2017|Style

Pantone 2017 Colour of The Year: Greenery

Colour authority Pantone have revealed their highly-anticipated Colour of the Year for 2017, Greenery. A vibrant and revitalising shade of yellow-green, Greenery is symbolic of fresh beginnings. Evoking the first days of spring and stirrings of new life, Greenery is the ideal colour to welcome in the New Year.

December 15, 2016|Style

Mid-Century Modern Design

Mid-Century Modern style refers to a design movement which spanned two and a half decades, from the mid 1940s-1970s. Timeless in feel, this style is celebrated for its minimalist aesthetic, accents of vibrant colour and contemporary patterns. A response to the new-found optimism of post-war America, Mid-Century style gained popularity as the demand for lightweight, simple and...

December 9, 2016|Style

Festive Foliage

Nature has so much to offer in winter. From gathering armfuls of holly and ivy for decorating tables and mantelpieces to harvesting fresh berries and ferns to create the all-important door wreath; it’s wonderful to make use of this and bring a piece of the outside in during the festive season.

November 24, 2016|Style

Scandinavian Interiors: The Art of Hygge

With the long winter nights drawing in and shorter days stretching ahead, the attraction of a warm and inviting home is all the more apparent. Scandinavian-style interiors lend themselves particularly well to this time of year with their emphasis on light, bright and welcoming spaces to counteract the cold and darkness outside. At the heart of Nordic design lies the concept of...

September 23, 2016|Style

Decorex 2016: Our Top 5 Design Highlights

Decorex International, the UK’s longest running show for the luxury interiors market, is an unmissable event within the design calendar. Now in its 39th year, Decorex returns again for 2016 to Syon Park, a suitably elegant setting to showcase the very finest in luxury design and craftsmanship. Spanning 400 hand-selected exhibitors, from established brands to emerging talent,...

September 9, 2016|Style

Maison & Objet September 2016: House of Games

Twice each year Maison&Objet provides a creative playground for architects, interior designers, and stylists alike. As such, the theme of ‘House of Games’ for this September’s edition couldn’t have been more fitting. Hosted in Paris, the international trade show spanned three major sections this year: ‘Maison’ which explored interior decoration, ‘Objet’...

August 5, 2016|Style

Rio Inspired Interiors

This week will see the colourful city of Rio de Janeiro play host to the 27th Olympic Summer Games. A city of juxtapositions, Rio’s contrasting landscape of sea, concrete and jungle is as eclectic as its approach to design. Separating the land from the sea is the iconic Calçadão de Copacabana, a mosaic walkway crafted from contrasting white calcite and black basalt stones....

July 27, 2016|Style

Thoughtful Detail: Glass

The iconic French designer, René Lalique, described his chosen medium of glass as a ‘marvellous material’. Lalique’s mastery of glass, in particular crystal, into exquisite works of decorative art showcased not only the splendour of this material, but its diversity. Crafting everything from perfume flacons to graceful fountains, Lalique was a true visionary of his time...

February 26, 2016|Style

Studs In Our Eyes at London Fashion Week

Last week saw the start of the 63rd edition of London Fashion Week (LFW) showcasing the A/W16 collections. Over 200 designers and a global audience of 37 million people eagerly looked on as shows that will lead the thriving fashion industry, valued at £26 billion, took place. LFW in collaboration with Ocean Outdoor Media secured 60 locations where shows were projected live...