October 28, 2025
Photographs by Matt Kisiday
Olson Twombly is a husband-and-husband design firm rooted in both Litchfield County and Nantucket, with clients nationwide. Known for a warm, layered, and eclectic approach, their work blends antiques, textiles, vintage finds, and modern elements. Their philosophy centers on creating timeless spaces that reflect each client’s individuality and story.
What inspires your work?
We’re inspired by travel—particularly throughout Europe and North America—as well as New England history, our homes on Nantucket and in Litchfield County, and the artisans, textile designers, and furniture makers we’ve been fortunate to collaborate with. Ultimately, the architecture, the location, and the client together inform our approach on every project.
Who is your ideal client?
Our ideal clients are homeowners with families who want their spaces to grow as their families do. They’re thoughtful, engaged, and open to a collaborative process that ensures their own personalities and tastes shine through in the finished design.
How would you describe your design philosophy or aesthetic?
Warm, layered, and eclectic. We have a deep appreciation for antiques, textiles, vintage and mid-century pieces, and modern architecture. We also design custom furniture to suit specific projects. Above all, our work is client-driven rather than dictated by a singular aesthetic.
What sets your business apart from others in the field?
Our backgrounds extend beyond interiors to include retail, clothing, furniture, and jewelry design. These experiences give us a broader creative lens, and allow us to approach interiors with a unique perspective.
Can you share a recent project that you’re especially proud of?
We recently completed our own home in the Connecticut River valley, which was a deeply personal project. It was both a challenge and a joy to bring our vision to life and then, ultimately, to pass it on to its next chapter.
How do you incorporate innovation, sustainability, or craftsmanship into your process?
We love mixing vintage pieces with modern design. This approach not only supports sustainability, but also allows us to highlight the work of craftspeople and artisans. We also create custom furnishings to reflect each client’s personal aesthetic.
What’s the most rewarding part of your work?
Seeing a project come to fruition and witnessing the joy on our clients’ faces. Some of the most meaningful moments are running into clients months or years later and hearing how our work has positively impacted their daily lives.
What trends are you seeing in design right now, and how are you responding to them?
We prefer to transcend trends, focusing instead on timeless elegance and classic design that endures.
What advice would you give someone considering hiring a designer?
Start early and embrace the process. Great design requires time, thought, and collaboration.
What’s next for your business?
We’re completing a spectacular penthouse with ocean views in Miami and a family home in San Francisco. —olsontwombly.com.
