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 18, 2021|Trends

Savoir Beds: Creating A Sleep Sanctuary

We all know good sleep makes us feel better, but we may not have considered the powerful role it plays in helping build our immune system. With studies revealing that a lack of quality sleep can mean we are more susceptible to falling ill after exposure to a virus, the value of a good night’s rest is more important than ever. Major events in our lives can create...

February 9, 2021|Trends

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 18, 2021|Trends

Pantone Colour of the Year 2021

For only the second time in Pantone’s 20-year history, the colour institution have chosen two shades instead of one for their Colour of the Year. As we look to fortify ourselves with energy for the year ahead after the ongoing uncertainty of 2020, it makes sense that we should want to surround ourselves with colours associated with joy and resilience. ‘Illuminating’ a...

December 10, 2020|Trends

Luxury Amenities in a Post-Covid World

Super-prime property is all about the superlative, from the very finest materials to world-class amenities, the standard expected is nothing short of exceptional. Our globally mobile clients have experienced the world’s most exclusive hospitality, and therefore when they return home, they expect this same level of luxury at a minimum. As a result, hotel-style services such...

November 18, 2020|Trends

Technology in a Post-Covid World

Our homes have always been our sanctuaries, but this cherished space has become all the more important as a result of the pandemic. From the need for a dedicated workspace, to an emphasis on cleanliness and wellbeing in the home, the virus is shaping new priorities. This is especially true at the top end of the market, where emerging trends pre-Covid 19 are now transforming the...

August 28, 2020|Trends

How To Design a Luxury Outdoor Space

With summer approaching and warmer days ahead, our focus shifts from the indoors to the outdoors. Much of the appeal of a garden is that it offers a multifunctional space; a place to enjoy alfresco dining with family and friends, a welcome retreat to read a book or room for children to play. As such, when beginning the process of designing an outdoor space, it is important to...

July 28, 2020|Trends

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...

July 26, 2020|Trends

Top 3 Ways to Accessorise a Luxury Outdoor Space

When designing a home, accessories can be viewed as the final layer that adds an all-important touch of personality and visual interest. A thoughtfully curated selection of accessories, that complements the overall design scheme and colour palette, has the ability to elevate a space to the next level. As a result, outdoor accessories are just as important as indoor accessories...

May 27, 2020|Trends

The Art of Wardrobe Organisation

Our wardrobes are often an extension of our personality, and hold many of our most treasured possessions. However, with space often at a premium, creating a streamlined and organised wardrobe has clear benefits. The trend for downsizing is one we have observed increasingly at the top end of the market, as our clients look for residences that reflect their unique lifestyles. One...

May 18, 2020|Trends

Home from Home: How to Recreate Your Favourite Hotel

While travelling is temporarily on hold, we find ourselves dreaming of the luxuries we enjoyed at our favourite hotels. From sumptuous bedding to decadent spa experiences, a stay in a hotel offers a much-need retreat from everyday life. While we are not able to visit these places in person, we can still recreate the feeling of sanctuary that a luxury hotel brings. The added...

May 7, 2020|Trends

Travel The World From Your Home

The luxury of travel is something many of us are looking forward to post-lockdown. From a tropical island escape to a culinary city break, travel offers enriching and memorable experiences that stay with us long after our trip ends. Although we currently aren’t able to visit these destinations in person, carefully considered design can provide a way to take a journey from...

May 1, 2020|Trends

How to Virtually Redesign Your Home

During this period of lockdown, we are spending more time in our homes than ever before. As a result, we are discovering a new sense of gratitude for spaces within our homes that may have been previously under-appreciated; a sun trap in the garden for eating alfresco or a freestanding bath for moments of relaxation. However, this extended period of time inside can also...

April 29, 2020|Trends

Tips for Creating An Inspiring Home Office in Lockdown

Of all the rooms in a home, the office is the most important space to achieve a balance between style and practicality. With many people now working remotely from home during this period of lockdown, the need for a clearly defined space for productivity is more essential than ever. Our expert guide shares our top tips on how to create an inspirational home office that marries...

April 16, 2020|Trends

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,...

January 21, 2020|Trends

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|Trends

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 5, 2020|Trends

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...

September 26, 2019|Trends

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...

December 8, 2018|Trends

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.

September 19, 2018|Trends

London Fashion Week SS19: Our Highlights

In the past week, fashion lovers from over 50 countries have poured into the capital to see collections unveiled by the likes of Victoria Beckham, Alexa Chung and Matty Bovan. Just as interiors trends and style references hark back to bygone eras, many of this season’s strongest looks doffed a cap to the most memorable collections of AW18 and beyond. Drawing on Prada’s...

September 2, 2018|Trends

The Art of Scent Styling: The Power of Scent in Interiors

Our sense of smell is the most powerful and emotional of all the senses, as it is directly hardwired to the brain. Scent styling is fast becoming the next frontier in interiors as we strive to cater for all five senses. Our studio doesn’t underestimate the importance of a multi-sensory approach to design. We know that scent has the ability to instantly transform a space...

August 15, 2018|Trends

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!

August 13, 2018|Trends

Sophisticated Stripes

Bold patterns and geometrics have been key in design for a number of seasons now. However there is one pattern that we can always rely on to produce outstanding results and striking spaces; sophisticated stripes. With a timeless appeal in so many variations, from pinstripe to thick bands and vertical to horizontal, the possibilities for using the simple stripe are endless.

June 11, 2018|Trends

Bottled Sunshine: Decorating With Yellow

From the softness of dappled sunshine to zingy lemons on tabletops, via the paleness of soft butter and burnt saffron tones of market spices, yellow hues burst with hope and warmth. NYFW18 catwalks were awash with yellows and WGSN’s Interiors Trend Report for 2018/19 highlights that blondes continue to have more fun – yellow is the fastest rising colour behind orange...

February 20, 2018|Trends

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|Trends

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|Trends

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|Trends

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|Trends

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...

October 18, 2017|Trends

Our S/S18 Trend Edit

The trends to emerge from the latest fashion shows where decidedly feminine in feel, offering an alluring glimpse into the styles we can expect to see come next spring. In anticipation of this, we have curated below an edit of our favourite trends from September’s catwalks shows and how these sartorial styles can be translated into interiors for a subtle nod to next season’s trends.

August 18, 2017|Trends

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|Trends

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|Trends

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...

May 25, 2017|Trends

The Value of a Luxury Branded Residence

Luxury branded residences are rising in popularity with the world’s wealthy for their unique combination of cachet, convenience and prestige. From a glittering penthouse designed by crystal specialists Baccarat to a spectacular show home conceived by sports car manufacturer Bugatti, these residences are the ultimate trophy homes. However, the appeal of a branded residence...

May 19, 2017|Trends

Thoughtful Detail: Parquet Flooring

Parquetry dates back to 17th century France, where intricate patterns carved from wood graced the floors of the very finest palaces and stately residences. Today, this elegant style is enjoying a renewed appreciation as a beautiful and yet hard-wearing flooring option. Not to be mistaken for marquetry with its curved patterns, parquet flooring is easily identifiable thanks to...

April 6, 2017|Trends

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...

March 20, 2017|Trends

Luxe Mountain Living

Alongside the country estate and city pied-à-terre, a mountain hideaway is considered a valuable addition to any global property portfolio and remains one of the most popular secondary home markets. It’s not hard to see why; from the incredible natural scenery to the expanding range of luxury amenities on offer, an alpine home can be enjoyed all year long. Once a base for...

March 17, 2017|Trends

London Design Week 2017 | Unlocking The Science of Design

Last Sunday saw London Design Week return to the glass domes of the Design Centre at Chelsea Harbour, where 80 of its galleried showrooms opened their doors to both the trade and the public. Showcasing collections from 650 brands, from specialist wallpaper to show stopping lighting, there was a wealth of inspiring design to uncover. Keep reading to discover the colours,...

March 10, 2017|Trends

Colour Psychology: Celebrating Holi the Oliver Burns Way

The Hindu Holi Festival celebrates colour and at Oliver Burns we love all things colourful. We couldn’t imagine a world without it, so to honour the festivity we explore the psychology that lies behind the colours we love. Colours induce and prompt, often subconsciously, certain emotions in our minds, therefore it is vital to consider their application when designing a...