In Conversation With Sharon Lillywhite | Oliver Burns Studio

‍As 2026 is well underway, what feels different for you and the studio? And what is informing your vision and momentum for 2026?

2026 has begun with a real sense of clarity and momentum. Last year was particularly significant for me professionally as I was selected for, and recently completed, the Goldman Sachs 10KSB programme, with Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. It is fully funded by Goldman, for founders of high-growth businesses, and is like a mini executive MBA.

Balancing studying alongside the demands of running the studio and travelling extensively was intense at times, but the experience was genuinely transformational. It gave me the rare opportunity to step back and work on the business rather than just in it, helping me refine what I want OBS to stand for long term, and equally, what I want to protect as we continue to grow.

I have entered 2026 with a renewed sense of energy, focus and confidence, both personally and professionally. The experience has strengthened our commitment to Thoughtful Luxury and to being very intentional about the projects we take on, the clients we work with, and the legacy we help create. The energy within the team is incredibly positive. We have already secured two exceptional new commissions, with more in the pipeline, and we are moving into the year with real momentum and excitement about what lies ahead.  It feels like the beginning of a very purposeful chapter.

2025 was a year of extensive travel. Looking back, which journey would you have extended purely for some R&R?

Without a doubt, St Barths.  Even though I was working and studying while I was there, it was still my favourite trip. The end of last year was intense, and it gave me just enough space to breathe. What I loved most was how unspoilt it felt. Hiking, empty beaches, rock pools, and turtles just wandering across the roads and stopping traffic like it’s completely normal! The sunsets were showstopping.  We had such a good time - amazing luxury hospitality, great food, lots of laughter, and that feeling of being properly present, even if only in pockets of time. It’s one of those places that stays with you. It’s my new happy place.

What travel is on the cards for 2026?

From a work perspective, 2026 will be fairly focused.  Most of my travel will be to the Middle East, the South of France and the US. We also have a client who is constantly on the move globally, so sometimes the travel agenda is simply wherever they happen to be at that moment!

On a personal level, my wish list is a little more ambitious. Japan, Iceland and Peru have been on it for a long time, and whether I manage one, all, or any this year remains to be seen.

Summer, though, is non-negotiable. Portugal is our constant. I go every year with my son, who is now 17, and he always invites friends to stay.  There’s always a big group of us, lots of energy, and plenty of other friends coming and going. I work from there and fly in and out as needed; it’s something we really look forward to every year.

The studio’s ethos of Thoughtful Luxury is central to everything we do. How has your personal journey influenced the aesthetic language of the studio, and how has that developed over recent years?

The studio’s ethos is simply an expression of what matters most to me. Thoughtfulness sits at the centre of everything, not just as a word, but as away of operating. We’ve taken the time as a team to define our values, and being thoughtful underpins them all.

I enjoy being around thoughtful people. I enjoy asking ‘why?’ Why are we doing this? What’s the ‘so what?’ When we design a piece of joinery or develop a narrative for a project, I want to understand the intention behind every decision. What thought has gone into it? How does it serve the client? How does it contribute to the overall project? That mindset shapes everything, from the way we design, to how we build relationships and how we communicate as a team.

My background in innovation and brand teams within blue-chip businesses meant that I was exposed to the full creative lifecycle, from a blank sheet of paper and creative development through to strategic business case analysis, board-level presentations, and then working with creative agencies to execute ideas across every touchpoint. That experience has never left me. I’m fascinated by ideas; how they’re formed, refined, challenged and ultimately brought to life.

I have a lot of ideas. However, over the last year in particular, completing the Goldman programme has given me a clearer, more intentional framework for directing that energy. It has allowed me to focus on what truly matters and to quieten the noise around everything else. 2025 felt like a step change for me; both professionally and personally and that clarity has shaped the way I’m leading the studio now.

Aesthetically, our work has evolved to become quieter and more resolved. There is less need to prove anything visually. We are working on remarkable buildings with inherent legacy, and it is important to me that the interiors carry the same gravitas as the architecture. I’m personally drawn to timelessness; to proportion, material integrity and atmosphere, while still allowing for subtle, intelligent nods to the present.

Ultimately, I see us as creative partners. Whether we are working with a private family or an iconic luxury brand, our role is to interrogate the brief deeply and to help articulate what they may not yet have fully expressed. The spaces we create are multi-sensory and emotionally attuned. They are designed to endure, to support wellbeing, to enrich daily life, and to quietly shape the stories that unfold within them.

Oliver Burns Studio is frequently referred to as a designer of quiet influence. How would you define that concept in today’s super-prime landscape?

Quiet influence, for me, is about confidence rather than volume. We let our work speak for itself and allow the trust, reputation, and long-standing relationships we have do the talking.  Our clients return to us time and time again. They come back when something really matters, when the project is personal, complex, or of rare significance. I think that repeated trust is the truest measure of influence.

We are the go-to studio for a certain kind of work and a certain way of working. We design every bespoke commission entirely from scratch and take real pride in that. Our approach is deeply thoughtful and considered, not just in how a space looks, but in how it feels, how it supports our clients, and how it endures over time. Not every project demands that level of care or originality, and not every client wants it. But the clients we work with do.

Much of our work is never seen publicly, but its value is deeply felt by the people and brands who live with it every day. Sometimes it’s said that we fly under the radar, but that is intentional. We’re known in the moments that matter, when only the exceptional will do.

At this stage of your career, how do you decide which commissions Oliver Burns Studio takes on, and what makes that work meaningful to you?

Selectivity is really important to me. We are a very senior team, and by design, we only take on a handful of projects a year. That means every commission has to matter, not just creatively, but personally and professionally as well.

Our projects are often highly sensitive, deeply personal commissions, and much of what we do is under strict confidentiality and never photographed. Because of that, having a thoughtful mix of projects is important, both for the studio and for the team creatively.

I love working with private clients. Being invited into someone’s life at that level is a real privilege. You become part of their extended home team, often working multi-generationally, shaping environments that genuinely change how they live, feel, and experience their everyday lives. That level of trust is incredibly special, and it’s something I never take lightly.

Alongside that, my marketing background in innovation and brand-led design means I’m equally drawn to working with luxury brands and on special hospitality projects, where design has the power to bring a brand’s values to life in a very tangible way. Delivering those thoughtful, rarefied environments that deepen a brand’s cultural and creative impact allows us to be more expressive publicly and to contribute to cultural conversations around design, craft, and experience.

Ultimately, what matters most to me now is working with people I respect and enjoy, with similar values, on projects that feel meaningful. I genuinely love what I do. I love my team, I love the relationships we build with our clients, and I take great satisfaction in knowing that our work goes beyond the aesthetic.

When clients invest in exceptional property, what are they really investing in?

With over 20 years’ experience in super and ultra-prime design, I can confidently say that every client has a different primary motivation. For some, it’s an expression of their status. For others, it’s about creating a forever family home that can be handed through the generations - somewhere filled with warmth, comfort and personality. And for many, it’s a strategic investment. But most often, all three of these factors come into play.

A key part of our role is adding value, not just creatively, but also commercially. We’re often brought in before a property is even purchased to advise on its potential. Working closely with trusted advisors or the family office, we can help identify where value can be unlocked. For example, on one penthouse project in St James’s, London, we were able to reconfigure the rooftop by relocating the plant equipment, transforming it into a 360-degree terrace with panoramic views of central London. That single intervention added over two million pounds to the property’s value.

Understanding our client’s priorities, whether that’s curating gallery-level pieces, creating pure aesthetic beauty, or designing a home that wraps around their family life, is fundamental. Most projects, in the end, become a reflection of who the client is. How that’s expressed varies, but that’s what makes every project so unique.

What expectations do clients have for their homes and have you seen that change over time?

Our client base has become significantly younger in recent years. They lead globally transient lifestyles and have multiple properties.  

At the same time, there are timeless priorities that always remain important to them when it comes to their choice of residence. Our clients favour properties in the world’s best locations with stunning views, beautiful façades, gracious proportions, and refined, multi-sensory interiors. Ceiling heights of over 3 metres are expected, along with statement staircases, integrated lifts, and flexible layouts for formal and informal entertaining. Architectural detail is crucial, as is customisable technology for lighting, heating, cooling, and security. Principal suites are often designed as his and hers spaces, sometimes spanning entire floors.

World-class amenities have also become increasingly important, especially in city properties. Many clients now prioritise branded residences or developments with exceptional facilities, whether that means being connected to a luxury hotel or offering private 24-hour concierge services. Amenities provide an added layer of convenience and lifestyle alignment, particularly in the city where space can be more limited.

What are the latest luxury must-haves for clients?

While immense wealth opens many doors, it also comes with unique challenges, and personal safety is one of the biggest for our clients. The first and most important thing to understand when designing an UHNWI’s home is that security is paramount. Whether it's a state-of-the-art embassy-grade surveillance system, secure panic rooms, or dedicated areas for their entourage - particularly bodyguards - security is never an afterthought and we work with their team and external specialists to get this right. Much like on a yacht, where a separate security detail often accompanies the principal vessel, the same principle frequently applies on land.  

This extends beyond private residences to rare commercial and luxury hospitality environments where high-profile individuals pass through discreetly.  In such spaces, security must be seamlessly integrated into the architecture and furnishings themselves. We have, for example, designed bespoke joinery and furniture that minimises risk; ensuring materials, cavities and detailing do not compromise privacy or safety, and that the potential for covert surveillance is discreetly reduced. In these environments, privacy is not assumed; it is deliberately designed.

Another key consideration is the client’s passions. These often shape the entire design concept. We create private car galleries that double as entertaining spaces - complete with cigar lounges, golf simulators, and bespoke detailing. These aren’t just garages; they’re sanctuaries for passion investments like classic cars, fine watches, or contemporary art. Sometimes, the passion is more unconventional; as I mentioned earlier, discretion is part of the job!

Wellness is another area that has evolved dramatically in the last couple of years. At a recent Walpole Summit that I attended, Chris Sanderson of The Future Laboratory spoke about a trend called “Asset Management,” where the body is now being viewed as the ultimate asset. Our clients are fully aligned with this. We no longer create traditional spas; instead, we design fully integrated wellness suites. These go beyond luxury and lean into performance; think infrared saunas, laser therapy, cryotherapy, and medical-grade facilities supported by their personal wellness teams. These spaces aren’t indulgent; they’re essential.

So, while the aesthetic is important, the true must-haves for our discerning clients often lie in what can’t be seen at first glance: safety, privacy, personal passions, and peak performance.

SHARON LILLYWHITE | OLIVER BURNS STUDIO

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