Great South Bay- A New Collection by Thomas O'Brien for Century

Great South Bay Collection

A house by the water. The idea conjures so many different destinations, but always the same sense of beauty and nature with a view. A retreat where we go to find the sun. A place for family over the generations. The sea, the lake, the islands, have always been desired locations, spots to dream of for both first and second homes. 

Coastal living has a graceful ease that I’ve long been drawn to. And there’s a warmth to the beach house that finds its way to homes of all kinds, from the mountains to the city, west to east. I like the mood of airy, open rooms with generous, simple furniture and a spirit of indoor-outdoor living. I see this in many of the locations I visit and work in. And I’m often asked to create houses with this sensibility. 

So, I started thinking about making a collection of furniture to serve this dreamed-of house by the water, in all its forms.

Furling Dining Table AE9-307

The GREAT SOUTH BAY Collection is a tribute to the relaxed elegance of coastal living everywhere. The pieces are inspired by my own travels and collecting around the world, bringing together the influences of so many favorite seaside places—the romantic cliffside beach towns of the Mediterranean; the rustic naturalism of Northern California; the eternal summer hospitality of the Gulf coast; the magic of Anglo-Indian design across the Caribbean and Asia; the all-seasons craftsmanship of maritime England and New England. I’ve added modern and French pieces that have a new home today at the beach, and that capture young, chic beach style in the city. And, I’ve returned to the world of my own home and gardens on Long Island, located on the Great South Bay that gives the collection its name. 

Voyager Bed AE9-108K

The furniture is ready to mix as well as traditionally match in design groups across whole houses. There’s a subtle simplicity that connects all the thematic ideas, all very outfitted and easy. The collection is centered around essential beach house materials in custom finishes—wicker and cane, wood, and a special, unique new variation of pressed bamboo, all applied in refined and often intricate ways. But there’s also wonderful upholstery and as always, families of case goods, tables, beds, and chairs that have been developed with great care by the talented team at Century. 

I’m so happy to share this collection with you. I hope the furniture reflects some of the effortless soul of the new beach house and brings that feeling to your home.  -Thomas O'Brien

To explore more pieces from Great South Bay, please visit our website at centuryfurniture.com.