Meet Milly Simmonds, Olive & Co

Tell us a little bit about yourself (personally and as a maker!) and how you dreamt up Olive & Co.

Olive & Co has been coming together as an idea for many years now. As a small child, I would always ask my mum if I could lay the table and make it “extra special”. I would dig out her pretty linens, pick flowers from the garden and make little floral displays along the table, tie ribbons around napkins and design name cards and menus! I loved it. This started at the age of 6!

The business organically grew into a shop, as lots of our clients were asking if they could purchase products we were using for styling. I had always dreamt of having a shop and designing one-of-a-kind pieces that are special to keep forever.

Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Natural, effortless & elegant.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Most of our inspiration comes from nature and the seasons. Travel and culture also hugely inspires me.

What’s your favourite piece at home?

I do love our huge farmhouse  kitchen table, which I struggle to fit any linen on! It’s a little rugged, as we’ve been so relaxed with kids drawing on it and the odd glass of red spilling on it, but it does tell a few stories! I like unfussy things that I don’t have to be precious about. I also love our boucle cream chair from Soho Home. It’s the perfect spot for reading by the fire.

You can only stay in one hotel for the rest of your life. Where are you checking in?

Baglio Occhipinti in Sicily. Understated, rustic, and with the most amazing food, wine, staff sunken bath. No flashy things. Just simple Italian everything. It’s perfect.

Ok, last one. Any secret design sources to share?

I don’t really have one source. For me, it’s about what inspires me at that time of designing.  It could be people, cultures, travel, the sea  or literally a simple, beautiful wild flower.