Brian Worthington

NILOUFAR BAKHTIAR BAKHTIARI

DESIGN DIRECTOR BRIAN WORTHINGTON & ASSOCIATES

Brian Worthington has more than 27 years’ of experience in transforming high-end residential and commercial interiors. Having started his career at Blake College London and further study at The French Design School, Surrey, Brian’s mission now is to create interiors that are timeless, original, authentic and refined.

What are you currently working on? A residence in Palm Beach, Florida, which is of 12,000sq. ft and is on the Palm BeachArchitectural Registry. Another residence in the Hamptons. We are just finishing a project in Locust Valley, NY in the same property where HRH the Duke and Duchess of Windsor walked the hallways.

Tell us a little about these projects? The residence in Palm Beach is a total reconfiguration of the interior and is a turnkey project. We are supplying vintage finds and of course are designing bespoke pieces for the entire project.

What led you to this career path? I started in the very early 80s in the soft furnishings industry as a visual merchandiser at D.H.Evans and the Army and Navy Stores in London. Those where the days we would build an entire dressing room around a pair of ladies slippers, which we were selling, down to the smallest details.

How would you describe your work/design style/ethos? I’m an organic perfectionist; I’m classically trained and feel comfortable working in the 18th century Georgian to Contemporary styled spaces, always based in the classical foundation. I work very much on scale and proportion with comfort being of paramount importance with understated refinement, which is universal no matter what style we are asked to create.

Please describe the project you are most proud of to date, with reasons why this was a success? It’s a house in Old Brookville on Long Island named Longwood. I wanted to respect and create a harmonious interior to the exterior of the property with beautifully scaled and proportioned furniture. 95% of the furniture is antique/vintage from the UK and France. Quiet luxury was key with cashmere walling. I wanted to blend British modern art with the 18th Century / early 19th Century. Understated elegance was paramount to our philosophy and the clients understanding as we got into the project. The monochromatic backdrop was key not to compete with the natural beautiful surroundings of the property. I am very

proud of this property especially because it won the design Et Al - International Interior Design Awards for Luxury Residence in the Americas which was a highlight of my career. This was truly a highlight as so much went into this beautiful project.

How did achieving this make you feel? I was truly humbled and thrilled for myself and my small team. We were nominated with great design firms from around the world and won. We truly deliver bespoke interiors that we NEVER reproduce, even though, I’ve been asked to in the past.

Where and how do you find support? At home and with my sister “Bicky” and a few close friends.

Where do you find comfort? Within myself, nature and at home with dear friends.

Has the recent global pandemic changed the way in which you work? Indeed, I have to rely on other talented people, we need to trust them more and clients have been reassuringly understanding during this time, which I am truly thankful for.

Has it changed your outlook? Gosh, yes I do hope so for the better. Life is complicated enough and we need to appreciate the small things.

How will it change the global design sector? I think it will be more digital and hopefully people will be more understanding and appreciative of what we create. There are so many moving parts to our business, it truly takes a village.

What are your thoughts on the future of design? Impeccable quality and craftsmanship is even more important with bespoke custom pieces. It will change of course without a doubt; some will be pros and cons to our industry, yet to be realized. People have discovered what is important to them and want change, this is yet to be materialized and finalized. I think home will be paramount for all members of the family.