Distinguished Alumni

Oliver Haslegrave is a rising star in the interior design world. As the founder and creative director of Home Studios in Brooklyn, he is helping to change the way people think about indoor spaces. 

In 2009, Oliver founded Home Studios, bringing beautifully modern designs to restaurants and bars in New York City. Since then, Home Studios has expanded its brand throughout the country from Los Angeles to New Orleans, and in recent years, has also worked on residential projects. Anyone who sees these restaurants, townhouses and apartments will notice Oliver’s distinctive vision; his designs are more works of art than businesses or residences. 

After opening Home Studios, Oliver quickly became recognized for his talent. In 2013, his restaurant Alameda was named one of the five best-designed restaurants in New York City by Eater magazine. Since then, the accolades have continued to pour in. The 2014 Restaurant and Bar Design Awards named Tørst the best-designed bar in North and South America, and in 2017 Gwen was named a James Beard Award for Restaurant Design Finalist. Other restaurants have been recognized in Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, and Esquire. 

Oliver himself has gained a reputation for excellence. Just this year, Wallpaper* magazine named him on its USA 400 list as someone who is “shaping the United States’ creative landscape” and “leading some of the country’s most noteworthy projects.” He was joined on that list by Beyoncé, film director Wes Anderson, and Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Oliver has been featured in prominent magazines, including Architectural Digest, Interior Design and T Magazine of the New York Times. These articles highlight Oliver’s ability to redefine the look of restaurants and apartments and his goal to tell stories through architecture. As T Magazine described it, he “works like a set designer, pulling from disparate sources to create intricate, dramatic spaces that tell stories of their own.”

A key to Oliver’s success is his ability to blend his passion for art, film, and literature into striking interior layouts. This interdisciplinary approach has helped him continually find new inspiration. According to Oliver, “One of the coolest things about design is that there’s always a new way of doing something.”

Oliver’s Country School roots grow deep. Oliver himself is remembered fondly by his teachers, coaches and classmates. At his 1993 graduation, he was lauded for being a “multi-talented young man” who “continually sets higher goals for himself.” In 5th Grade, Oliver was a finalist in the MacLane Poetry Recitation, and in 8th Grade, he received the Cox Bowl. In his tribute for this award, Mr. Wallack wrote that Oliver “earns an A for effort” and described him as a “fanatical athlete and even greater sportsman.” The Haslegrave family has been making a mark on the school for generations, presently with his nephews Alden Barnes ‘33 and Charlie Lichter ‘29. 

Oliver’s love of design was clear early in his Country School days. His classmate Rob McNary remembers that, “he was designing the coolest things even when we were in elementary school.” His passion for reading, academic ability and interest in the world made him “such a good influence” to his peers.

From his Country School days to his groundbreaking career, Oliver lives out the Country School’s mission to “honor our students’ creativity, sense of wonder, and intellectual curiosity.” His impact on the architectural world is profound, and he continues to inspire others through his work. We are proud to call him one of our own.