Michael O’Brien in the Los Angeles Times: How Sculptural Containers Can Transform Your Outdoor Space

|Michael O'Brien
Michael O’Brien in the Los Angeles Times: How Sculptural Containers Can Transform Your Outdoor Space


The Los Angeles Times recently featured Michael O’Brien, founder of Hommes + Gardens, in a design guide on the evolving role of container gardens — now treated as sculptural, intentional design elements rather than simple fillers.

In the article, O’Brien shares the principles he uses to make every planter feel curated and architectural:

“I always start with vintage vessels,” he says. “The container should feel collected, like something you brought back from a trip.”

From creating tension between structure and romance to treating succulents like a wardrobe edit, O’Brien’s approach turns everyday planters into objects of taste and texture. His philosophy blends form, restraint, and mood — making outdoor design feel as thoughtful as interiors.

Read the full feature on The Los Angeles Times.
Explore more inspiration in our Estudio, or shop Objects + Vessels inspired by our design philosophy.