Irish Interior Designer Bryan O’Sullivan’s Flair For Hotels

Old-school Hollywood glamour with a contemporary touch is the hallmark of interior designer Bryan O’Sullivan’s repertoire, on full display in his commissions for some of the UK and Ireland’s most notable hotels …

Born in Kenmare, Bryan O’Sullivan initially trained in hospitality management in DIT, but moved to London to study architecture at University of Westminster, gaining experience for two years with acclaimed Irish interior designer David Collins before further mentoring under industry leaders such as Annabelle Selldorf, Martin Brudnizki and Luis Laplace. O’Sullivan set up his practice in London in 2013 and since then has steadily built up an impressive international portfolio of work from residential properties to yachts and private jets.

O’Sullivan mines history for inspiration, resulting in a look that could be described as pared-back luxe. He blends classical proportions with contemporary elements, re-covering vintage or antique furniture in modern fabrics; always achieving stylishly comfortable, liveable spaces. Here’s a look at some of his most famous hospitality commissions:

Berkeley Bar & Terrace, London

This was O’Sullivan’s first project for the Maybourne Hotel Group: the result of a chance meeting with hotelier Paddy McKillen at his hotel Chateau La Coste in the south of France. Prior to O’Sullivan’s redesign, the space had been used as an overflow bar for private functions. It was dark with lots of brown leather (not to be confused with the iconic Blue Bar, designed by O’Sullivan’s mentor, the late David Collins).

In his book Bryan O’Sullivan: A New Glamour, O’Sullivan describes his starting point as the history of the building, a former barracks from the 1960s. He discovered a (naturally felled) 300-year-old walnut tree on the Fulbeck Estate to use as wall panelling. He also took cues from mid-century Italy and the Brutalist era – his design incorporated intimate seating areas and snugs to conceive an elevated and feminine space he nicknamed the Gossip Room. Artist TM Davy created a mural in keeping with this theme. Every seat in the bar is covetable.

Claridge’s, London

O’Sullivan’s polished and instantly recognisable style is seen throughout this iconic London hotel, from its hot spot restaurant to the elegant Claridge’s Suite – a contemporary homage to the art deco era for today. Soft and light, the original scalloped fireplace in pink marble and glass inspired the concept. Scallop curves continue throughout, from the curvature of a handpainted screen to the coral mohair chairs, with a neutral colour palette. The furniture is a mix of locally-sourced antiques and Bryan O’Sullivan Studio bespoke pieces. A statement pendant light in the suite’s sitting room is a 1950s Murano glass piece sourced at an Italian auction – its colours pull the scheme together.

The Painter’s Room on the ground floor bridges Claridge’s celebrated ballroom and the Talking Heads Gallery by artist-in-residence David Downton. O’Sullivan was inspired by 1930s’ archivaal photographs, with the aesthetic again paying tribute to the hotel’s art deco design heritage, with pale pink onyx featuring prominently. The bar’s blush-coloured stone is the centrepiece, complemented by a feature skylight in peach and cream coloured glass. Of note is an installation by artist Annie Morris and a mural by Mary Lea. www.claridges.co.uk

The Connaught, London

The Red Room, with a collection of the world’s best red wine, at the plush Connaught Hotel on Carlos Place is a hideaway that guests access through a velvet-curtained doorway from the hotel’s Champagne Room. Inside, visitors will find an impressive art collection, so O’Sullivan says he created the space with the feel of a collector’s living room. A runway of mosaic, hand-cut and hand-laid by Italian craftsmen, leads to two focal points – the bar in pink onyx complete with jewel-like moulded lamps, and the fireplace in Italian marble with intricate red veins. O’Sullivan opted for an eclectic mix of furniture to evoke a well-appointed sitting room with a snug under a giant antique pendant lamp. There’s also a collection of small ceramics and objets d’art added to continuously.

Park Hotel, Kenmare

In my opinion, one of the finest dining rooms in Ireland is Landline at Park Hotel Kenmare, designed by Bryan O’Sullivan in 2021 as part of an extensive commission by previous owners Francis and John Brennan. Their plan for the restoration was to retain the heritage of this special grande dame hotel while adding even more luxurious spaces, from the lobby to the Cocktail Bar, Champagne Bar and Dining Room through to the outdoor Terrace. O’Sullivan worked with local artisans on this project that included cabinet makers Joop Dunn and Son, family-run carpentry business Oliver Holbein, and ceramicist and artist Cormac Boydell. O’Sullivan’s design signatures are all there, from scalloped-edge sofas in pastel velvets to glam deco bars timeless in their aesthetic. The Dining Room has been further elevated with artworks by acclaimed artist Sean Scully and a large-scale tapestry by Annie Lewis, among others. Dining here is always a memorable experience – the marriage of design aesthetics and culinary excellence.