Design report
With so many launches, openings and new ideas on the horizon, we’re getting excited for a very dynamic, creative and inspiring year ahead.
FEATURE Fleur Britten FOREWORD Pip Rich
1 As we get ready for the design happenings, new collections and exciting openings to come in 2024, we’re starting things off with a look at a designer who has always been ahead of the curve –or at least, was one of the first names in recent times to embrace the curve in all its forms: arched sofas, rounded headboards, circular rugs. Bryan O’Sullivan, right, set the tone for what decor has looked like these past few years, an inclusive sense of elegance that can’t help but create sociable settings people want to curl up in. And he continues to embrace new colours, shapes and moods. This year saw him launch not only his first furniture collection, left, full of instant iconic pieces such as the glowing Jellyfish mirror, but also unveil his latest space for the Maybourne Hotel Group – the main restaurant in Claridge’s,London.Thereare banquettes with curved edges that draw diners together, creating a sense of intimacy in the grand hall. There are stone door surrounds, richly veined, blending the art deco architecture with afeeling of modernity. And there is asense that, once again, Bryan has set the tone for how we’ll all want to decorate in 2024. But wait, why are we looking back when this feature is meant to be all about looking forward? Because one of next year’s key moments will be the publication of Bryan’s first book, a lu xe coffee-table tome by lu xe coffee-table tome maestros Rizzoli. ANew Glamour, out 2April, is achance to take in a retrospective of his work and see how it continues to inform the zeitgeist, with glimpses into what he’ll do next. It seems murals will be key. ‘I am excited to create one-of-a-kind murals where we work with artists to create aspace that is unique and tailored to aspecific look and feel,’ he says. ‘At our gallery in Mayfair we worked with artist Sam Wood on a whimsical drawing of a celestial sky that spans the ceiling and helps to offer something extra, creating asense of authentic glamour and bringing the terracotta plaster walls to life.’
2 MODERN HISTORY
The four-storey Covent Garden emporium of modern design, Aram Store, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, with aspecial exhibition at the Aram Gallery and exclusive editions. May; 110 Drury Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5SG.
3 PLATING UP
The moody maximalism of interior designer Abigail Ahern is set to expand this February with three glossy new tableware collections, designed to look just as beautiful stacked on ashelf as they do on the table.
4 SIMPLY ITALIAN
In March, the Design Museum will be paying tribute to the late Italian modernist artist and designer Enzo Mari, renowned for his austere designs. The major r
