Martin Brudnizki: In Conversation with Hospitality’s Hottest Designer

There’s a common denominator behind some of the world’s buzziest hotels of late.

Martin Brudnizki’s name has lately become synonymous with the luxury hotel scene, as the designer has taken on a multitude of headliner projects including The Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York City, Le Grand Mazarin in Paris and the Broadwick Soho in London. His aesthetic is unmissable thanks to a signature blend of decadence and whimsy, never lacking for pattern, texture or color.

With a new book recently published by Rizzoli (and many new projects on the way), Brudnizki shares insights into his design process—and tips to bring a bit of his style into your own spaces—as well as his favorite hotels, shops, galleries and more in top design cities, from London to Stockholm.

What are some of the highlights from your prolific portfolio in recent years?

Martin Brudnizki: Every project is exciting and unique, but there are a few that particularly stick out to me and are key moments within the studio’s career.

Scott's, the storied seafood restaurant in Mayfair, London, marked the first fine-dining restaurant the studio worked on after spending years cutting our teeth on High Street spots (Cote Brasserie, GBK, etc.). It’s a special project and was the first space that we designed to look and feel as though it had always been on the street. It’s still one of my favorite places to visit (and I love the dover sole).

Working with Soho House on the launch of Soho Beach House Miami is also a memorable project. It was an exciting time for the Soho House brand as we were helping to introduce it to a new region. We really enjoy working to introduce a well-established concept into a totally different setting.

Of course, Annabel’s on Berkeley Square in London was a huge moment for us. Working with such an iconic members’ club was really special, and helping to relocate it two doors down and transforming it into the club it is today was an honor. But perhaps the most memorable aspect to this project was the creative freedom we were granted by the client. We’ve never experienced anything like it—constantly being pushed to think bigger and crazier. It was a very intense period, as the project was completed in just 18 months, despite its scale, but the result has been better than we could have imagined. It’s opened a lot of doors for us since.

More recently, working on Broadwick Soho has been a standout moment as it has been the first full hotel we’ve done in London. Of course, we’ve worked on many other hotels in the last five years too: two in Paris, another two in New York and one in Portofino—each with their own identities and challenges.

How do you cultivate a unique look and feel for each individual project, while still maintaining the essence of your aesthetic?

MB: Every project we work on, from residential spaces to private members’ clubs, has its own objective and story to tell. This helps us to create unique spaces that feel individual. We work hard on cultivating a strong narrative that will then lead the design process. This is a really important part of the journey and allows us as a team to research and explore the building, the location and the wider culture. Some of our narratives are quite abstract and theatrical, whereas others are more location-centric. But they provide the very foundation upon which we build, helping to inform color decisions, patterns and fabrics, and even the flow of a space.

How do your home cities—Stockholm, New York and London—inspire your work with their own design legacies?

MB: Growing up in Stockholm exposed me to European design sensibilities that I have carried with me throughout my career. I have been inspired by its architecture and use of patterns and color. This was also enhanced through my mother, who was, and still is, a very stylish and creative woman. She introduced me to great design and designers. As well as inspiring me creatively, I think growing up in a Scandinavian country also inspired the way in which I work. It’s methodical and detail-orientated. This is a thought process I pass on to my studio and is something which we’re now known for.

While I no longer have a property in New York, I still have my studio there and visit very frequently. There is great energy in New York, and I think this is what inspires me the most when I’m there. It’s fresh and bountiful and usually just the tonic I need when visiting.

And of course London is my home (I moved here in the early ’90s). I’ve seen it evolve and develop, and I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of some of that development—certainly within the restaurant world. But like Stockholm, it’s often the architecture and history that inspires me the most here. I love thinking about the people who have lived here over centuries—how their presence has shaped the way we live and design today.

What are your tips for readers hoping to bring a bit of the pattern, texture, color and fun from your properties into their own spaces?

MB: Don’t be afraid—but if you’re nervous to go all-out, begin with playing with color, pattern and texture through cushions. It’s a safe way of trying something new without fully committing. Another great way to bring these factors into your home is via trims. I’ve just launched a new collection with Samuel & Sons that brings charming adornment to curtains, cushions, even the skirt of a sofa. Passementerie is a great way to bring renewed vigor into a space, as well as a bit of whimsy. They also come in all kinds of colors and shapes, so it's a great way to get to grips with a bolder look.

Your first book, My Life in Colors, was recently published by Rizzoli. What did you learn in the process—and what do you hope readers will take away from the book?

MB: The publishing process was surprisingly revealing. When you are immersed in projects over many years, you don’t always step back and recognize the common thread. In deconstructing the spaces and reorganizing them by color, it became very clear to me that color has always been the organizing principle of my work. It was less about style and more about emotion. What I learned is that color has an extraordinary power when you isolate it. When you remove context and look purely at tone, texture, saturation, you begin to understand how deeply it shapes atmosphere. The book allowed me to see my own work almost as if it belonged to someone else, which was enlightening. I hope readers feel inspired rather than intimidated.

My Life In Colors isn’t a conventional coffee table book. What I didn’t want was a portfolio of finished projects. Instead, it’s intended to be engaging and exploratory. You move through it by color, by feeling, and in doing so perhaps begin to see interiors differently, including your own. Ultimately, I hope it encourages people to be more confident, more curious and more aware of how profoundly color shapes the way we live.

Are there any new projects you are working on that you are excited about?

MB: The studio is very busy at the moment. We are working on projects for the Four Seasons, Auberge Collection and Ritz-Carlton, as well as our first hotel in Germany and a private members’ club in Paris. On the residential side, we’re working across London, Sweden, Hong Kong and the U.S.—each project with a very unique story.

Favorite hotels (besides the properties you’ve worked on):

MB: Bellevue des Alpes in Grindelwald, Switzerland; Hotel Endsleigh in Devon, England; La Colombe d’Or in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France.

Favorite restaurants at home:

MB: For a cozy afternoon, nothing beats my local pub: The Swan in Fittleworth. Café Deco in London is great for delicious sharing plates and a relaxed ambience. I don’t especially like fussy spots; I’m much more at home in ‘neighborhood’ feeling places.

Favorite shops for design and unique gifts:

MB: Gerald Bland in New York, as well as the iconic John Derian. It’s a top spot for a reason. Growing up in Stockholm I always retreated to Svenskt Tenn Design furniture, which has had a lasting effect on me as a designer, especially the beautiful fabric designs of Josef Frank and his bold use of color. For something special and unique, I love Rigattieri in Venice for Murano glass and ceramic fruit and vegetables.

Favorite museums, collections and fairs:

MB: Museo Fortuny in Venice for inspiration by the bucket load. I just love the frescoes. Parham House & Gardens near my home in Sussex. I’m increasingly interested in gardens and garden design, and Parham is always a good choice to visit. The house also has an incredible art collection that’s worth seeing. I’m heading to Los Angeles shortly to take part in Design LA for the first time, which I'm looking forward to.

Favorite hidden gems at home:

MB: Beaux Books in Hampshire is great for rare and vintage books. I always encourage my designers to use books—we have a large library at both studios—and I take my own advice and enjoy leafing through all kinds of volumes. You never know where inspiration may come from.

Where are you traveling to—or dreaming of traveling to—next?

MB: I travel often for work, so when I can, I prefer to stay close to home, with my dogs. There’s a simplicity and calm to it that I value.

What are your travel rituals and must-haves?

MB: I travel a lot and have distilled things down to a fine art over the years. The key for me is getting to sleep as soon as possible, as more often than not, I am going straight into meetings once I've reached my destination. I use a large silk scarf from Drake’s to keep warm and get to sleep quickly. I make sure to drink plenty of water and frequently apply lip balm. Lavender spray is a nice calming addition. I rarely take up the offer of an in-flight meal, avoid alcohol and never watch the entertainment. Then, once I have arrived in my destination, I try to go for a walk to get the blood flowing again.

What are your tips for sourcing design inspiration or shopping for interiors when traveling?

MB: Do a bit of research beforehand. I really enjoy going to local auction houses and even dispersal sales of old houses. You can always find pieces that are really beautiful and unique to that location at these events. Avoid the obvious shopping spots that you always see on Instagram as you’ll rarely find something that no one has seen before.

What destinations are on your radar for design right now?

MB: As mentioned, I'm traveling to Los Angeles to attend Design LA (March 2–5, 2026), which is the first time I’ve been to this fair. I’m excited to be speaking but also to get to know LA’s varying and growing design scene. In fact, there have been a few U.S. locations that have really caught my attention recently. Nantucket has a wonderful design event in the summer, and I thoroughly enjoyed attending last year. Texas Design Week during the month of November was good fun, and I’m looking forward to experiencing design in the Charleston area later this year.