Interior designer Bryan O’Sullivan gives a double-fronted Victorian house a calm new vibe

PHOTOGRAPHS BY James McDonald

Creating interiors that make people forget the outside world is a rare talent – one that London-based Bryan O’Sullivan (who joins us at Design Week Dublin on Tuesday May 20)has mastered. For him, the essence of a true home lies in comfort and ease, crafting spaces that feel like sanctuaries. When a referral came via Martin Brudnizki – a designer O’Sullivan admired and once worked alongside – he was asked to reimagine a family home as a peaceful, tranquil retreat.

After more than a decade living in their double-fronted Victorian home and with their two children, now teenagers, the homeowners were ready for a change. What began as a subtle refresh quickly evolved into a much more ambitious project, driven by the transformative potential of O’Sullivan’s ideas. The original layout, designed by previous architects, was geared toward maximising views front and back – but at the cost of spatial flow. O’Sullivan shifted the focus inward, emphasising the connection to the garden and the harmony between rooms. By opening up several spaces, he introduced a sense of grandeur and cohesion. This transformation required structural work – walls were taken down and rebuilt with wider openings – but remarkably, the core renovations and restoration of period details were completed in just three months.

With one homeowner a restaurateur and the other active in cultural philanthropy, both brought a sharp eye for design and a passion for art to the project. The goal was a home that was not only functional but effortlessly elegant and deeply restful. O’Sullivan proposed a neutral palette to let their collection of art and furniture shine, creating a calming, unified backdrop. The approach works beautifully, particularly on the piano nobile where two sitting rooms merge into a harmonious whole, and on the lower ground floor, where the kitchen, breakfast room, and garden-facing sitting area flow together seamlessly. The bespoke kitchen, crafted by Crispin & Gemma, features warm timber and marble – a nod to the clients’ old butcher’s block – and embodies the home’s spirit of craftsmanship. Throughout the space, carefully chosen antiques and custom pieces designed by O’Sullivan himself reinforce the thoughtful, layered aesthetic that defines the entire project.

Design Week Dublin: Bryan O’Sullivan will be at Dublin Design Week which takes place May 19-25. Bryan will be in conversation with Amanda Bone on Tuesday May 20 at 9.30am-11am, at The Marker Suite at Anantara The Marker Hotel Dublin. Book tickets here.

For the sitting rooms on the piano nobile, the Bryan O’Sullivan Studio designed sofas upholstered in green velvet, simple bookshelves for either side of the fireplace, and a glass and brass coffee table. The rugs are by Limited Edition, and the leather chair (just seen, and in main picture, top) is from Soane, London.

In the dining room, the light is maximised by the use of églomisé mirrored panels by Rupert Bevan on either side of the fireplace. The rosewood and brass dining table is by Jonathan Burden, as are the lamps. The dark pewter dining chairs are by Fiona McDonald, the rug by Limited Edition. The gesso convex mirror above the fireplace is by Ochre.

The Bryan O’Sullivan-designed kitchen was made by Crispin & Gemma Furniture Design. The kitchen table is the client’s own with chairs by Fritz Hansen. The brushed steel kitchen seems simplicity itself but there is subtly effective detailing in the backlit glass panels, steel panelled ceiling and herringbone sycamore floor.

Beyond the kitchen, in the garden room, is a bespoke sofa designed by Bryan O’Sullivan.

The marble cantilvered vanity in the master bathroom was designed by Bryan O’ Sullivan. The round steel mirrors with pewter finish are from Jonathan Burden.

Several pieces were designed especially for the house by Bryan O’Sullivan, including the striking fireplace in the master bedroom. A subtle backdrop of muted whites and greys is the ideal canvas for elegant pastels in the bedroom. Soft pink, pistachio and copper accents create a feminine, contemporary bedroom. The bedside tables are bespoke by Bryan O’Sullivan. The bedside lamps are by Roberto Rida.

In the dressing room, a bespoke ottoman by Bryan O’Sullivan and rug by Limited Edition. The chair is black cord and walnut from H Furniture. The artwork is from the clients’ collection.