Martin Brudnizki designs hotels and restaurants most of us would want to move right into. His spaces turn up the volume on pattern, color and scale, effectively setting the tone for what luxury hospitality looks and feels like. His refined approach to spaces for Soho House, Annabel’s in London, and some of the most richly layered spaces and interiors around the world, are comfortable and grand without being too formal. His collection of furniture and accessories And Objects is a culmination of his design work and strikes that balance of classic, contemporary and cool.

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We caught up with the internationally acclaimed designer to learn more about his approach to selecting textiles, what’s inspiring him, and his latest collection for the Rug Company

What architectural style and design era is inspiring you right now?

I have always been drawn to the roaring twenties, particularly in Paris and designers like Jean Michel Frank but increasingly I'm beginning to like the English equivalent and what became known as Curzon Street Baroque. Designers like Syrie Maugham or Edward James' house in London are wonderfully elegant but also total escapism.

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How would you describe your design philosophy?

Context and the client are my two main considerations. Ensuring whatever we create sits well within its environment but also that we listen and respect the client and the project becomes a collaborative journey.

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Tell us how you’ve been able to help clients during The Expert consultations. Any notable interactions/anecdotes?

I've had a mixture from helping a client structure their home office to helping a hospitality company build an in-house design team - what I love most is the variety of challenges people are facing and finding solutions to help them from my own house.

There is a distinct richness to your approach to materiality. How do you layer a variety of materials in your projects?

My style was once described as mathematical maximalism in that it’s a combination of different elements coming together but doing so almost scientifically. Instinct plays a large part in having the right eye to combine materials and patterns but then you do need the samples and drawings to make sure it's going to work. It's a combination of the creative and technical.

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How does your work on commercial projects inform the way you design? Do your residential projects also inform how you think about hotels and restaurants?

A lot of my commercial work is very narrative led which is helpful when looking at a residential project, while they may not have a brand, you need to find their story and bring that out in the design.

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What iconic spaces inspire you?

I find inspiration everywhere. I love American designers like Dorothy Draper or Billy Baldwin but I suppose one space that I keep returning too would be Villa Necchi, Piero Portaluppi’s masterpiece in Milan. The German word gesamtkunstwerk has never felt more applicable as every detail is so considered and hangs together wonderfully.

What colors and color combinations are you loving right now?

I just got some new correspondence cards in Bagdad Brown and Lavender which is a combination I’m liking.

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Where to save/where to splurge?

Always spend on materials. Floors, kitchen, bathrooms – you can’t replace the serene feeling of solid materiality. You can save by buying vintage.

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What should you always buy vintage? What vintage pieces are you eying right now?

There is no set rule but those items which don’t need to necessarily be bespoke or where you have more flexibility in terms of size. So smaller side tables, lamps, cocktail chairs are easy to find with vintage dealers.

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What is the first piece of furniture someone should buy for their space?

A rug. From colors to layout – the room revolves around the rug.

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