The Quiet Luxury of Escape | Crafting Homes as Sanctuaries
From the elements we admire in our favourite hotels and how these references inform our own hospitality projects, to the design of outdoor sanctuaries and residential escapes, we create spaces that offer our clients a home away from home.
CRAFTING HOMES AS SANCTUARIES
For many of our clients, having multiple properties is more than just an investment. They become purposeful retreats from the demands of daily life. Whether it is a sprawling estate in the Hamptons, a sun-drenched villa in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, or a superyacht moored in Monaco, each destination offers its own distinct rhythm and setting for relaxation.
Designing for clients with residences across multiple time zones means creating spaces that seamlessly adapt to their varied needs. Some serve as seasonal retreats or vibrant hubs for entertaining, while others provide quiet havens for rest and reconnection. Each residence is thoughtfully tailored to support a distinct lifestyle rhythm, offering comfort and sanctuary no matter where in the world it is.
INSPIRED BY THE RETREATS WE KNOW AND LOVE
When asked when we feel most at ease, many of us think of holidays spent with loved ones. These cherished moments often take place in retreats designed to restore. Whether it is the impeccable service, crisp linens or the lingering scent of a signature fragrance, luxury hotels have away of creating spaces that evoke emotion and memory.
At Oliver Burns Studio, we translate this experience into residential design, helping clients emulate the soothing atmosphere of their favourite retreats within their own homes. Drawing on our hospitality expertise, we carefully incorporate those subtle yet powerful details, which transform a home into a sanctuary. Through meticulous attention to detail and a deeply sensory approach, our interiors are designed to bring the comfort, calm, and uplifting spirit of luxury escapes into everyday living.
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THE OUTDOOR ESCAPE
Whether nestled in the heart of a bustling city or embraced by the calm of the countryside, outdoor spaces have become vital sanctuaries for connection, reflection, and renewal. Terraces, gardens, and courtyards offer an immersive escape where nature and design come together to soothe the senses and restore balance.
We create seamless transitions between indoors and outby thoughtfully layering elements that bring the outdoors in. From sculptural planting framing a London rooftop to lush greenery cascading through a Middle Eastern courtyard, we use natural materials, organic textures, and purposeful spatial planning to craft outdoor retreats that feel both timeless and intimately connected to their environment.
A SENSE OF HOME, ANYWHERE
Even while traveling, many of us seek environments that offer the comfort, calm, and familiarity of home. In today’s fast-paced world, the need for spaces that allow for pause and sanctuary has become more essential than ever. These interiors provide a moment to recharge, reflect, and feel grounded, regardless of location.
Through our work across a diverse portfolio of properties, we gain a deep understanding of our clients’ sensibilities. Each project is uniquely shaped by its setting, architectural character, and intended use, yet we often find that certain personal elements consistently reappear. Just recently, during a design presentation for our Belgrave Square project, the principal referenced the onyx used on his yacht, so naturally, we found a way to incorporate that into the new scheme. These features, whether materials, sensory cues, or bespoke details, are what ultimately make a space feel like home.
One of our recent hospitality projects, The Windsor at Heathrow VIP, was crafted with the philosophy of ‘a home away from home’ at its core. Conceived as a refined retreat from the pace and pressures of international travel, the interiors were thoughtfully designed to evoke a sense of home. The result is a collection of relaxing, discreet spaces that prioritise comfort, calm, and ease, creating an intentional pause amid modern travel.
As we finally celebrate some summer sun, we turn our attention outdoors. Take a look to see the pieces we love for a contemporary penthouse roof terrace, as well as inspiration taken from the pool at our Surrey Country House.
As we finally celebrate some summer sun, we turn our attention outdoors. Take a look to see the pieces we love for a contemporary penthouse roof terrace, as well as inspiration taken from the pool at our Surrey Country House.
This week, our Founding Partner and Creative Director, Sharon Lillywhite, and Marketing and Operations Director, Tory Ashby, attended Walpole's British Luxury Summit. Held at The Londoner hotel the event brought together leaders from across the luxury sphere to exchange insights and provoke discussion about the future of British luxury.
This week, our Founding Partner and Creative Director, Sharon Lillywhite, and Marketing and Operations Director, Tory Ashby, attended Walpole's British Luxury Summit. Held at The Londoner hotel the event brought together leaders from across the luxury sphere to exchange insights and provoke discussion about the future of British luxury.
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We worked with a number of British Designers on bespoke pieces for the House of Walpole project, a collaboration between ourselves, Northacre and Walpole. All designers worked within the brief of ‘a love letter to the Palace Gardens’, their work takes inspiration from nature which is woven throughout the apartment. Read our article below where we talk in more detail about these key pieces and how we worked with the iconic designers behind them.
We worked with a number of British Designers on bespoke pieces for the House of Walpole project, a collaboration between ourselves, Northacre and Walpole. All designers worked within the brief of ‘a love letter to the Palace Gardens’, their work takes inspiration from nature which is woven throughout the apartment. Read our article below where we talk in more detail about these key pieces and how we worked with the iconic designers behind them.