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What's Your Fancy? A Claridge's Designer on the Best Tea Set for Two
Interior designer Bryan O'Sullivan's first book looks at the projects and lessons of the past decade, including the best way to experience Claridge's afternoon tea service at home.
The London and New York City-based interior designer Bryan O'Sullivan is best known for his work on a handful of heritage British hotels, creating the Red Room at the Connaught, the Berkeley Bar & Terrace at the Berkeley, and the Painter's Room at Claridge's. Those properties are handsomely featured in O'Sullivan's first book but A New Glamour takes a much broader look at his firm's first decade of work across commercial and residential projects. There's a townhouse in Belgravia and a Fifth Avenue apartment in New York, and then there's also a yacht as well as the Maybourne Riviera, the site of a particularly memorable T&C cover story a few years back. The common thread throughout is an appreciation for tradition and an eye strictly fixed on the future, a theme that's especially evident in his commissions for Claridge's. But perhaps his biggest takeaway from that experience was the pageantry of the hotel's afternoon tea service, invariably served on its signature jade and white chevrons. Now, a Claridge's tea set for two (or more) can be purchased for the home, and O'Sullivan lists it among his essential indulgences.
"I’ve been lucky to designer a number of extraordinary spaces, including fabulous suites and The Painter’s Room at Claridge’s – there is nothing quite like afternoon tea on their beautiful china in the Foyer. Now you can purchase online for your home enjoyment."
"I've been collecting John Rocha (Simone’s Dad) stemware for Waterford Cristal for many years now. I love its simple design and its generous weight. It was discontinued some years ago, but I spend time searching the web for vintage pieces. I’ve long dreamed of an Adolf Loos set of stemware from J & L Lobmeyr. Next on the list!"
"I don’t drink, so it’s a mocktail for me. I’ve recently started drinking Clean-Co alcohol free gin and it is simply delicious."
"My Puiforcat flatware is my pride and joy and always sets the tone for a special evening. The Vieux Paris is my go-to. I love its elegance and simplicity and have been collecting it for years. I love to pair this with my JL Coquet Hemisphere dinner set."
"Cedric Grolet at The Berkeley’s Pan Suisse would have to be my guilty pleasure."
"I recently developed my own sent called Obsidian, which is available online and in our gallery in Mayfair. We developed it with an extremely talented friend of mine Dawn Goldworm, who is an extremely talented nose. I feel the scent is fresh, yet complex. Uplifting yet inviting and happy."
Mitchell Beazley The Elements of Style: An Encyclopedia of Domestic Architectural Detail
"The Elements of Style: an Encyclopedia of Domestic Architectural Details gives a very clear history of architectural periods from Tudor to Modernism and is my bible when working on residential projects."
"I think good luggage is essential. I move around so much, it’s all about making travel as seamless and comfortable as possible. I have been using Rimowa for years and never leave home without my Trunk Plus, because a fella needs options. Their packing cubes are a life saver. I also have lots of items that permanently live in my suitcase (toiletries bag, chargers, gym trainers and attire) to make packing and repacking easier."
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