14 Mar Deborah Main Meets Thomas O’Brien at Dallas Market

Thomas O’Brien and I at the #SneakPeek blogger event at Dallas Market Center.

One of the highlights for me and Deborah Main Designs at the #SneakPeek at Dallas Market in January (Yup, I still have a couple more posts of inspiration from just that one single day!) was having the opportunity to meet and hear Thomas O’Brien speak. Not having a background in design, I honestly didn’t know who he was. I really enjoyed hearing him speak, seeing his slide show, and learning about his NYC store. Since going to Dallas was my first time attending market as a blogger, I was very keen on learning more and listening to what he had to say. I was definitely intrigued!

Thomas O’ Brien getting ready to speak at Dallas Market Center, January 2014.

Here are a few tidbits of wise words of wisdom from Thomas’ talk that I really latched onto during his presentation. Each inspired me as I hope they will you. (Please note: I quote them in no particular order, but as a series of continuous phrases all together. I like them that way. They each have meaning independently, but together, for me, it sums up the world of Thomas O’Brien. And I give them to you just like I heard them, before I really knew anything about him).

“I’m obsessed with where things come from…I love the story. I love detail….restful, peaceful history. I like things to feel authentic, real. Plan for there to be mistakes in a space. When times are tough, you have to do something…how do you make it (the space) look good….focus on ‘looking good’. Have one thing to become your signature…mine, a crazy clock. Shop at home…I’m my best shopper. (It’s) all rooted in antiques, historical things. I’m always trying to put elegance and warmth into the casual modern look. I love history, the thread of vintage. How many handbags, shoes & lipstick stores can there be in the world? The Italian chair. It’s about ‘the thing’….the silohuettes, history, form, design. I bring forward all of these things that I collect….for me its very personal. The store is the ‘imaginary client’, masculine, where dark filters in with all the lightness. Industrial filters in and out…easy glamour, elegant….leafing and gilding filter through everything. I love blue…collect plates, glass and things. Love lamps, sconces and lighting. I love that a chair keeps its character. Light and dark coming together. Love the sleek world of ’40’s mid-century elegant. I like to bring things forward (in time)…art, old pictures, Rand McNally star chart, Picasso throw (for couch). Always antiquing with my Dad…hunting for one thing. The ’20’s, ’30’s, ’40’s….love that era. My first license was with Tiffany…I love blue. The store is about making it beautiful, but there things get sold….at home I don’t change a thing, I just add. Time makes you stronger…as you get older you get nicer or meaner. Be happy. Be a jolly elf.”

Even if you know, or don’t know who Thomas O’Brien is, don’t all those things he said about his life and studio begin to portray him as a human being?  I just loved it all!!

Thomas O’ Brien speaking at Dallas Market Center, January 2014.

Now that you’ve had my take on this wonderful designer I will now give you the full scoop. Thomas O’Brien is a New York City based interior and home furnishings designer and the founder and President of Aero Studios, a leading American design firm. Thomas O’Brien is also the proprietor of Aero Ltd. the “iconic home boutique that is the retail face of the studio.”

His newest book, Aero: Beginning to Now, is a follow-up to the bestseller coffee table book American Modern. The book, both eloquently and casually, tells the story of Thomas O’Brien, the Aero Studio, and Aero store. It explores his days at a Manhattan art school to the planning of his studio and his store which has become a Soho, New York landmark for both its historical significance and beautiful design.

It was at Aero where Thomas O’Brien coined the term “warm modern” which became his mantra and influence in his work.

Thomas O’Brien’s style is found in modern and classic forms: “downtown industrial and artistic loft culture, the luxurious elegance of the prewar city uptown, and the essential simplicity of American country antiques and rural living.”

Each of the bloggers who attended the #SneakPeek were lucky enough to receive one of his books as a gift in our blogger goodie bags (that’s one fun advantage to becoming a blogger!).  But I didn’t know that, so I bought a book and got it signed by Thomas.

Lucky for you because that means you have a chance to WIN a sealed copy of his brand new book.  See details of contest at the end of this post.

I’m only half way through the book, but even though it’s a large coffee table book with gorgeous photos, I’m reading it word for word because I find his story truly inspiring. He talks about how he evolved personally as a collector and how his store evolved, and how the two overlap and intertwine in his every day life.  This truly fascinates me because when I started Deborah Main Designs, I consciously decided to let it evolve. I started making pillows as my form of artistic expression, so I did not want to put any constraints on it.  I really just wanted to let it evolve and see what happened.  So since I work out of my home, and my business has evolved into a fledgling luxury design studio (and I might add, is about to celebrate 10 years THIS April – YAY!!), my personal and professional life are totally intertwined.  So, I get Thomas O’ Brien’s story.  I personally and professionally relate to his story (even though I do not own my own store in the middle of Manhattan or have a coffee table book (not yet!!)).

The book displays photographs of the store as it morphs from one season into the next in the captivating story of Aero. The photographs detail his first homes, lofts in Soho and Aero’s signature vintage furniture. I love how in the book he talks about having this amazing, leather Chanel sofa in his home and since he didn’t have the capital to buy a whole lot of furniture for his new store, he put that couch in his store and more.

Thomas O’Brien’s Chanel leather sofa at home with his classic white billowy curtains. Photo by, with permission from, Aero.com.

And Thomas O’ Brien’s store with the same Chanel sofa in far back corner and the same while billowy curtains. Photo by, with permission from, Aero.com.

So what was personal and real for Thomas O’Brien in his home life became what the store evolved into, and as Thomas evolved, so did his unique design aesthetic: Thomas O’ Brien at home and at his studio.  It’s a fascinating, relaxing read, especially during these nasty cold winters we’ve had all over the country.

Thomas signing books for everyone who came to hear him speak.

Thomas O’Brien has been recognized for giving modernism a warm and livable style. His work can be seen in private homes, companies, product design, brand and fine arts consulting.

“I like practical and useful things as well as fine and rare things…” Thomas O’Brien, 2013.

Now that is a quote any of us can live by!

Thank you Thomas for taking the time to speak in Dallas. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you, listening to your personal story, and reading your book.  Maybe I’ll get to actually come see your store next week when I’m in New York City at #BlogTourNYC by Modenus!!  New York is only a few more days away. I can’t wait!!  Because of this one venture outside my comfort zone to go to Dallas as a blogger, I had the good fortune of being invited to this blog tour.  I’m so excited I can hardly stand it!

Now, the deets about the book contest.  All you have to do is comment about this blog post.  What about Thomas O’ Brien inspires you?  (It also would be nice if you let us know what you like reading on our blog, as we appreciate your feedback). We at Deborah Main Designs will read through all the comments, pick a few that really speak to us, put the names in a hat and draw the winner.  We will announce a winner next week live from NYC. It’s that simple!  In the meantime, the next time your shopping for the perfect relaxing and inspiring read, look no further then Thomas O’ Brien’s books. Till next week, XO PG

Note: Photography and opinions my own, except where noted.