From bespoke private commissions to super-prime developments, designer Sharon Lillywhite oversees every detail. It’s an approach that has won her company, Oliver Burns, a long list of loyal clients and a clutch of design and property awards including World’s Best Penthouse.
Heritage home
Her career as a high-end designer didn’t start in Mayfair, it began when Oliver Burns co-founder, Joe Burns, spotted a dilapidated property in Hertfordshire.
Sharon explains, “My background was in innovation and marketing for blue-chip companies and Joe’s was in development and design, as well as retail. He found this beautiful Georgian pile in St Albans called Dalton House but it was a wreck. We decided to completely transform it.”
The work on the Grade II Listed building took two years and the result was so good that the pair won a civic award for their sensitive restoration. Sharon and Joe went on to furnish the house with beautiful things and hit on the idea of making everything for sale, from the reclaimed radiators and black leather kitchen to the bed linen and beauty products on the dressing tables.
The concept was new in 2004 and positive press coverage followed. Sharon says, “Everyone was interested in the story and we realised quite quickly that people not only wanted the products,but they wanted our design skills.”
London luxe
18 years later, Oliver Burns is flourishing and Sharon has been added to the prestigious Walpole Power List for 2022, one of the 50 most influential people in British luxury. “It’s a lovely accolade but, for me, the most important thing is having happy clients.”
Sharon’s clients range from super-prime property developers to ultra-high net worth individuals. To keep client confidentiality, she won’t name names, but she says, “They are very well known within their sphere of influence, so we have a famous YouTuber for example and sportspeople. Although, much of my work is with discerning families designing their portfolio of properties, from their main residence to second and holiday homes.”
Her London clients have all manner of requirements, from the dressing room made to look like a jewellery box with gorgeous over the top velvet drapes, to the penthouse roof terrace complete with television, bar and underfloor heating. To ensure the quality of each design, Sharon tends to have just five projects on the go at any one time. Most of her commissions are in Mayfair, Belgravia, Knightsbridge and Chelsea, as well as country houses in Surrey. But, her work has taken her further afield and a house on the Italian lakes remains one of her favourites.
“This was for a long-standing client, a lovely family. We advised from the very beginning before they even purchased the property.
Every single project is a labour of love, but this was special because it was a derelict villa and we designed and project managed the whole thing. We used marine grade materials, the palette was beautiful and reflected the lake, and we had 360 degree views of the water from the main reception area. We put in blast proof windows, and even created a road! It’s a sun and ski holiday home and well used by the client because they absolutely love it.”
She continues, “The Oliver Burns ethos is what we call ‘thoughtful luxury’, so we thoughtfully design the world’s finest homes. We don’t have a signature style. We start from scratch with every commission. We understand that our clients are ultimately time constrained and their biggest luxury is time to be with their family doing things they want to do. So we specialise in full turnkey projects from concept to the placing of the last toothbrush.”
Craft work
Sharon has a core team of seven staff and calls in specialists. “We have a little black book of amazing artisans and craftspeople, and we work with various consultants including audiovisual, lighting, mechanical and electrical. Nowadays many clients want a reinforced panic room in case of a break in, so we will bring in a specialist team for that.”
A signature scent is also a must. “What I do is multi-sensory,” she explains, “When you walk into your home so many senses are activated and the olfactory one is key.
It’s really special to have a bespoke scent and I work with London’s best ateliers. Most recently, I have been working alongside Rachel Vosper on the ultra luxurious House of Walpole. Scent can be distributed via the air-conditioning and heating system or more usually, through diffusers and candles.”
Sharon lives in the Bedfordshire countryside but drives to London most days. “A typical day is spent in meetings, on the phone to clients, speaking to journalists, being onsite, putting together schemes, and going to the Design Centre at Chelsea Harbour where some of our favourite luxury suppliers are based.”
Important dates in her diary are London Design Week, Decorex, Masterpiece London, and Frieze London. “I need to make sure we are completely up to speed with what’s going on and there is an element of networking at these events as well.”
Help for heroes
Over the years, Oliver Burns has supported the London charity Veterans Aid. Sharon says, “I love working with Veterans Aid as they are very focused on immediate action so, if someone turns up for help, they’ll get them new clothes, somewhere to live and training to help them back on their feet. We designed and re-did their communal areas eight years ago with colour therapy in mind, and every year we help in whatever way we can.”
It's good to know that along with well heeled Londoners, the less fortunate in the capital are getting the benefit of Sharon’s thoughtful design too.
Sharon's London
What is your favourite London memory?
Every Christmas my late mum would take me to Hamleys. We lived in Kent so we would go on the train and my mum would let me choose a teddy or a toy. Then we would look at the Christmas lights and it was always magical. It was the highlight of my year.
Where do you like to eat in the capital?
I meet my friends at Brasserie of Light in Selfridges – mixing shopping with great food. I like afternoon tea at Claridge’s, the Patisserie at The Connaught and Luca, the Italian restaurant in Clerkenwell is lovely. If I am looking for something a bit more glam, then it would be Sexy Fish or Roka, the Japanese restaurant.
Where do you go to unwind?
My son Harry is 13 and we love visiting galleries together – we went to the London Grads Now.21 exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery. Some of the London spas are very nice, I recently had a fantastic treatment at The Londoner Hotel. I am a Soho House member, so I’ll go to Shoreditch House where they have a rooftop pool.
London’s best kept secret is…
If you walk between meetings rather than jump in a cab, you’ll find hidden streets. I was at the Rachel Vosper atelier in Belgravia a couple of weeks ago and I discovered Kinnerton Street and some of the hidden mews, and was blown away by how pretty they are.
Who is on your radar?
Priya Rawal from the Luxury Property Forum. I am in awe of this woman because on her maternity leave, she set up and grew the forum which has transformed the network for luxury property and interiors. I follow Oriona Robb who is an amazing fashion stylist, and August & Piers because I am obsessed with their candles.
