Aubrey O’Brien is an interdisciplinary artist and interior designer whose work weaves together art, architecture, craft, and narrative. Her career is distinguished not only by aesthetic innovation but by a foundational belief in authenticity, rooted storytelling, and carefully honed skills in craftsmanship. Through her firm, she designs spaces—and experiences—that reflect souls, not trends.
Early Life and Foundations
Aubrey’s journey began in Sarasota, Florida, where her upbringing was steeped in art, design, and construction. From her earliest years, she was conversant in floor plans and job sites, learning firsthand the language of structure, lights, surfaces, and the built environment. This early immersion informed her lifelong reverence for materials, processes, and the way things are made—not just how they look.
She pursued formal training at a notable art college, specializing in interior design. During her studies, she distinguished herself through academic awards and scholarships, underscoring both her commitment and the promise of her practice. Alongside coursework, AUBREY O'BRIEN also apprenticed in woodworking and metalwork, learning vital skills that would later infuse her design practice with texture, craft, and substance.
Disciplines & Philosophy
Aubrey is not content to occupy a single lane. Her work spans fine arts, product design, object‐making, interiors, education, mentoring, and public art. She has created tangible art—figure drawings, installations, custom furniture, architectural interiors—and also engaged in watch and product design. Across these pursuits, what remains consistent is her quest for integrity: materials chosen with care, forms shaped with purpose, and each project conceived with both function and emotion in mind.
Central to her philosophy is that spaces should reflect the individuals inhabiting them. She rejects formulaic design or style copying; instead, she partners with people, listening deeply, and drawing out what’s personal in each context. Whether designing a home interior, a commissioned piece, or an art installation, she aims for work that is specific, resonant, and true.
Noteworthy Projects & Roles
Aubrey’s work portfolio is rich with variety. She has been involved in high‐visibility art residencies and public art projects. Among her notable achievements:
Artist‐in‐Residence at Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai, where the engagement extended from studio work to public installations.
Collaborations with significant design firms, contributing to large‐scale interior design projects.
Participation in exhibitions and curatorial projects, such as figure drawing shows and solo art exhibitions.
Product and object design for international clients, including watch design and development.
In education and mentorship, Aubrey has served as an instructor in interior design fundamentals and history. She also mentors emerging young designers, giving back to the community by sharing the skills, values, and way of seeing that have shaped her own path.
Value and Differentiators
Several pillars distinguish Aubrey O’Brien’s work:
Craftsmanship: Having apprenticed in woodworking and metalwork, she understands making at the hands-on level. Materials are not afterthoughts; they are integral to expression and durability.
Interdisciplinarity: Her practice doesn’t fit neatly in one box. She moves between art, design, object work, and education, allowing each realm to inform and enrich the others.
Story & Meaning: Every project tells a story—of place, of person, of aspiration. She crafts not just interiors but narratives.
Sustainability & Ethics: In her education and practice, she has taken up standards like LEED accreditation, indicating concern for the environmental dimension of design.
Optimism & Discovery: She embraces ambiguity, welcomes the unknown, and treats design as an exploration rather than a prescription. This openness to process lends freshness and authenticity to her work.
Achievements & Recognition
Across her career, Aubrey O’Brien has accumulated many honors and learning experiences:
Scholarship and academic recognition during her studies in interior design.
Showcases of her design work and art in local, national, and international venues.
Contributions to public art and design education through lectures, teaching roles, and mentorship.
Development of diverse design competencies—from interiors to objects to metal arts programming.
Vision for Spaces
For Aubrey, a well-designed space is more than beautiful: it is alive. It resonates with its occupants, offers comfort, inspires curiosity, and feels like it belongs. She believes in using design as a tool to shape daily living—to elevate the ordinary, to amplify what matters, and to let environments be both functional and soulful.
Spaces under her design are layered: texture, light, materials, finishes, and objects all play together. She doesn’t hide the imperfect, but works with it; doesn’t chase flashy or trendy, but seeks timelessness.
Working With Aubrey O’Brien
To collaborate with Aubrey is to enter a process grounded in craft, listening, and co-creation. The journey often involves:
Dialogues about life: What does the client value? What are their stories, habits, memories?
Material exploration: wood, metal, textile—always with attention to how things are made and what they feel like.
Attention to detail: custom furniture, object curation, lighting, and fine finishing matter.
A balanced intersection of art and function: a space must work well, but also sing.
Aubrey O’Brien stands as an exemplar of design as more than decoration. Her work is thoughtful, layered with meaning, and rooted in the real: materials, craft, personal narrative. In a world of superficial style trends, she builds depth. Her creations are not only about what looks good—but what feels right. Aubrey O’Brien’s design is a journey into identity, beauty, and purpose.
