Modern heritage and how a grand piano became the elephant in the room
Interior designer David O’Brien on adding a classic touch to any room, and why modern heritage is not a trend, but a continuum
The Black House with piano
Modern heritage is a style with two directions: enlivening period homes with modern furniture or using old objects to add character to a new home. David O’Brien, interior designer, loves the imperfections in older buildings because that’s where their character comes from. “Imperfections are frowned on in a new build,” he says. “We want the walls to be straight and the floors to be level!”
O’Brien’s home, the Black House, is a new build in Ballygarvan, Co Cork. The house was on Home of the Year in 2021 and is famous for having a grand piano in the kitchen. The repurposed instrument is quintessential modern heritage style. It’s probably also the reason the house didn’t win.
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