By Design: Patrick Hayes

If you’ve dined at one of Chef Sean Brock’s restaurants, you are liable to recognize Patrick Hayes’ Aberdeen Studio custom furniture and cabinetry designs — about which the renowned chef says, “Aberdeen Studio is as good as it gets. They are the first team I contact when I dream up something wild. Patrick and his team always overachieve and do it with humility." Sean isn’t alone in his sentiments. From The Hermitage Hotel — a historic icon of Nashville — to New Frontier Tiny Homes, the founder and lead designer of Aberdeen Studio is a highly trusted fabricator. About his artform, Patrick says: “It is the perfect intersection, in my opinion, of function and art.”

The native Californian moved to Nashville 10 years ago but remembers himself — even as a child — tinkering on things in his parent’s garage. Through the years, the self-taught designer says that he believes in surrounding himself “with people who are more talented than me, to learn from and to grow alongside,” and tends to focus on what’s in front of him at the moment. While you won’t find Patrick in the shop much anymore, he explains that he relies “heavily on our team of craftspeople to bring our ideas to life. I've learned from my peers, and I am inspired by those that came before me.”

What’s more, you won’t find standard offerings within the Aberdeen Studio; all designs are made to order. Think clean, sleek lines and understated elegance made from sustainable resources. Aberdeen Studio’s site states, “We believe that furniture should be made to last, with an extreme attention to detail and with as little impact on the environment as possible.”

While Aberdeen Studio has hosted previous Nashville Design Week events, the program sponsor is “looking forward most to seeing what others come up with, and how they build upon what people have done in years past.” Where the Nashville design community as a whole is concerned, Patrick says that he would “love to see more local, smaller firms with unique identities popping up” and for local partnerships to flourish within Music City. 

Still, as unique as Aberdeen Studio’s designs are, Patrick enjoys collecting the works of those he admires. He is particularly fond of the Børge Mogensen Model 2212 Sofa that he collected, and on his wish list is furniture from George Nakashima Woodworkers. When asked what kind of Nakashima piece, Patrick said with a wink, “I’m not picky. I’d take anything.” 

As the makers of bespoke furniture, custom millwork and fabrications for residential and commercial spaces alike, the small, focused team at Aberdeen Studio says, “Let’s create something beautiful.”

Keep up with Patrick’s work at AberdeenStudio.co and on Instagram @AberdeenStudio.