When Tom Parker was younger he didn’t think of design as his calling, but he was intrigued by specific elements he found in a manual at home. “My dad had this book on car repair, and while the axonometric hand drawings were very much mechanical in nature, the level of detail within them made them feel very artistic,” he says. “I remember spending quite a lot of time as a kid looking at those images and trying to draw parts of them.”
Parker decided to study interior architecture, excited about the path he had chosen for himself. He immersed himself in every aspect of the field, and was always fascinated by the mix of materials and scales that he could utilize.
Tom Parker of Fettle \\\ Photo: Pablo Enriquez
He eventually went to work for Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, where he met his friend and fellow visionary Andy Goodwin. In 2015 the pair founded their own company, Fettle, with offices based in Los Angeles and London. The firm specializes in hospitality projects for a range of companies worldwide, from start-ups to well-known brands.
The two cities complement one another, and the team happily embraces the cross-pollination that provides endless inspiration. A blend of European tradition and contemporary American flair is found not only in distinctive interiors, but also the bespoke lighting and furniture selections available to clients to complete the look.
Parker, who is celebrating a decade since Fettle was launched, doesn’t have plans to change careers any time soon, but if he did pivot, he would still be creating. “I’m a huge fan of painters and fine art,” he notes. “The idea of having a messy, paint-covered garden shed with stacks of canvases everywhere is very appealing.”
Today, Tom Parker joins us for Friday Five!
Photo: Tom Parker
When we moved into our house together, all of our records were packed in boxes and the only one I could find was Hawaiian Sunset which we had picked up one morning at the Rose Bowl flea market. Due to a complete lack of options, we played it on repeat for days on end while unpacking. Through some kind of Stockholm Syndrome-esque situation, I ended up completely hooked on it. Hawaii always seems very exotic to me – being flung several thousand miles out into the Pacific and one of the few places that is a timezone behind us here in L.A. Somehow this album fits that perfectly.
Photo: Tom Parker
2. Surfboard
I have a surfboard which was custom made for me by my friend Tyler. It’s this beautiful glossy green color. The issue with it is that I like it so much that it has made me very hesitant even to wax it let alone take it for a surf, so despite being used occasionally it has become something of a decorative object hung beside my desk.
Photo: Tom Parker
Orior is a family business founded by Brian and Rosio McGuigan in Northern Ireland. It’s now run by their son Ciarán and they produce some amazing, unique pieces. They have a great balance of tradition and modernity in their pieces, which is what I love the most about their Atlanta sofa. It has a very considered arm detail and a tassel trim along the entire bottom, balanced by some crispness and clean lines which gives it a transitional feel.
Photo: Tom Parker
A good friend of mine runs an incredible art studio and consultancy in London which produces both fine art pieces and very elaborate custom wallpapers. We are very fortunate to get to collaborate with them on numerous projects and I’m always amazed by the level of detail in their work. Their studio space is well worth a visit as it’s a treasure trove of illustrations and paintings. This image is a piece Adam made for a West Hollywood project we worked on together.
Photo: Tom Parker, Courtesy of Conor Harrington
I find this Conor Harrington work fascinating in that it blends classical painting techniques with graffiti and street art. It is such a fascinating dichotomy of the seen and unseen. The Beast at the Banquet is from a series about people and their self-applied costumes.
Works by Tom Parker and Fettle:
Photo: Francisco Nogueira
Le Jardin De Verre, Paris, France, 2025
Le Jardin De Verre, which opened in February this year saw Fettle design the front of house public areas including the reception, entrance terrace, cocktail bar, atrium restaurant and co-working area, as well as two feature suites. The studio’s approach drew on the rich and extensive history of the Latin Quarter of Paris, the architectural history of the existing building – two beautiful French maison houses and a 19th century factory – as well as the Locke brand to create a truly unique series of spaces.
Photo: Adrian Gaut
Caramella, Las Vegas, USA, 2025
Tao Hospitality Group’s latest Las Vegas fixture designed by Fettle overlooks the famed Las Vegas Strip, presenting a new destination restaurant and hidden lounge that embodies a decidedly Italian 1970s vibe. The 9,500 square foot space consists of a bar, restaurant, and lounge all centered around a classic pasticceria (Italian sweetshop). The studio developed unique individual spaces inspired by the music genre of the late ‘70s Italo Disco, which captures the escapist, playful spirit of the Italian ‘70s.
Photo: Pablo Enriquez
Bar Issi, Palm Springs, California, 2025
Bar Issi marks Fettle’s fourth collaboration with Boujis Group following Los Angeles restaurants Olivetta and Chez Mia. Set within the recently-opened Thompson Hotel in the heart of Palm Springs, the restaurant and bar’s design follows a simple brief: more is more. Inspired by iconic 1970s imagery of Mediterranean glamour along the Italian coastline, the restaurant and bar channels a playful and colorful aesthetic. The exuberant color palette is brought to life through the abundant use of recycled and sustainable materials, courtesy of several partnerships with eco-friendly manufacturers, including UK based Smile Plastics.
Photo: Douglas Friedman
The Georgian, Santa Monica, California 2023
Perched above the Santa Monica waterfront, The Georgian has been a fixture of the Southern California coastline since its debut in 1933. The exquisite property has undergone a full restoration by BLVD Hospitality with design by Fettle, in an effort to creatively ignite its historical spaces while leaning into the true essence of West Coast American Art Deco. Each space has been thoughtfully designed to offer a glimpse into the hotel’s 1930s heyday while underscoring the property’s inherently traditional elements through the use of bespoke materials. The studio was driven by a profound respect for Santa Monica’s history, the architectural influences that characterized that era, and the cultural moments that imprinted their significance on the city. Fettle approached the project not as a mere redesign but as a historically inspired restoration, breathing new life into the property while preserving its storied essence.
Photo: Helen Cathcart
Cicchetti, Knightsbridge, London, UK, 2022
Cicchetti’s opulent dining room and bar was inspired by the architecture and design of Venice and in particular the work of some of its most influential creative residents. The material palette of the space utilises finishes synonymous with the region in a rich palette and includes details reminiscent of luxury yachts and water taxis.
