Thomas O'Brien Creates Luxe-lite Furnishings for Target

Thomas OBrien Creates Luxe-lite Furnishings for Target
New York interior designer Thomas O'Brien has a roster of A-list clients and a chic home-furnishings store in SoHo.

He has his own line of luxury bedding (from Marshall Field's) and an elegant collection of furniture that bears his name (from Hickory Chair).

For sheer cachet, though, all that has nothing on O'Brien's latest design venture: a home collection for Target.

The Thomas O'Brien Vintage Modern line, which began arriving in Target stores in early October, includes furniture, lamps, tableware, rugs, clocks, throw pillows, towels, shower curtains -- even picture frames and pot holders.

With more than 500 items, it's the biggest launch Target has ever done, and signals a major reinvention by the retailer of its home-furnishings category.

"It started as a big idea, and in the process of designing it grew even bigger," O'Brien said.

He's the latest high-end designer to be courted by the company, which has shrewdly honed a reputation as the thinking person's mass merchandiser, the hip alternative to dowdy Wal-Mart.

The nation's No. 3 retailer (with more than 1,100 stores), Target has featured home wares designed by Philippe Starck and Todd Oldham, and carries architect Michael Graves' modernist tea kettles, toasters and fondue sets.

Earlier this year, the chain introduced a home-