Over the past ten years, Olivia’s eponymous studio has crafted unique, lively interiors, blending traditional techniques with modern freshness, and gaining prestigious industry recognition
What drew you to interior design?
From an early age I was keen on making spaces work differently, simply by moving furniture around and re-organising. This childhood obsession has led me to where I am now, co-ordinating full renovations and even designing new-build properties. Before becoming an interior designer, I worked as a croupier in London casinos to save up for university. In the casino, natural light and air were in short supply and I dreamt of creating beautiful light-filled interiors, so I applied for a degree in interior and spatial design at Chelsea College of Arts. After graduating, I assisted Philip Hooper at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, where I learnt the value of a wide range of projects and the different approaches that can be taken, depending on the building, brief and client. After that I headed up the interior design side of Lulu Lytle’s Soane before setting up my own studio in 2014.
How would you sum up your design ethos?
We love using traditional decorating techniques, classic furniture and antiques in a fresh, modern and pared-back way, resulting in joyful interiors. I’m a colour enthusiast and lover of great art and unexpected furniture, which combined, results in inviting, standalone spaces that appear to have developed over time. We strive to create interiors that are full of life and character, where each piece of furniture is worthy of conversation, and each room feels harmoniously coordinated (but not staged) by combining pieces from the past with a contemporary sense of playfulness. What can clients expect from an Olivia Outred project? Our goal is to create dwellings that feel like a home rather than a project, and that reflect our clients’ values and sense of style. You can expect relaxed, elegant yet easy to live in rooms, with a focus on comfort and ease.
Can you tell me about the role of sustainability at the practice?
We use antiques and vintage furniture in all our projects, and also love to re-use our clients’ existing furniture, often choosing to recover and repair an existing piece, rather than buying a new one. During the strip-out phase of a project, we try to donate furniture and fixtures that would otherwise be thrown away and we try to keep shipping to a minimum. We suggest recycled products, such as Smile Plastics and SynSisal to name a few. We love using sustainable paints, such as Edward Bulmer’s natural paints, which are vegan, durable and easy to use. We suggest air and ground source heat pumps if our clients are keen to move away from gas, and we’re keen to learn more and do more; our clients are in total agreement that sustainability is essential.
What’s been your favourite London project so far?
I’ve been so lucky over the years and have worked on some beautiful houses and apartments in London, many of which are not in print due to client confidentiality. But a favourite for me was an apartment in Kensington that had Parisian proportions and an elegant English feel, full of new and old furniture and art.
What’s next for you?
My furniture collection is coming soon and is based on pieces I have seen on my travels over the years.
