In our latest instalment of Curated By, we sit with Olivia Pope, founder of British interiors brand Bias Editions.
Starting her career in fashion buying in London before swapping the fast-paced lifestyle for a wholesome life in the country, raising her three daughters and starting her own business, Olivia’s characterful style aims to elevate the everyday – her modern pieces bringing joy to the mundane.
We chatted with Olivia about her design philosophy, how artists influence her work, and her favourite pieces to add character to your dinner party table.
My passion for art and design began at a young age, with an obsession with my grandfather Thomas Monnington’s body of work and his journey into abstraction. This early fascination led me to pursue a degree in art history, which I thoroughly enjoyed. After university, I transitioned into the fashion industry, eventually working as a lifestyle and fashion buyer for Alex Eagle and The Stores. Under Alex’s mentorship, I gained a deep understanding of curating a beautifully designed life, which encouraged me further to explore my interests in home and interior design. Currently, I am particularly drawn to the psychology of home and how our living spaces influence our sense of well-being and happiness.
Who, what or where is your biggest design inspiration?
I often turn to great 20th-century artists like Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, and Ben Nicholson for inspiration. Jean Royère’s innovative use of form and colour also influences my creative vision. When it comes to interiors, I admire the refined elegance of Rose Uniacke, the playful approach of Tamsin Johnson, and the cosy, inviting spaces by Jake Arnold. The blend of these three designers perfectly encapsulates my ideal aesthetic.
What is your design philosophy?
I aim to create spaces that keep the eye moving without feeling cluttered or overwhelming, as I tend to feel easily overstimulated. To achieve this, I prefer to use interesting neutral tones on the walls, and then add pops of colour and layers to the space with lighting and accessories. I also believe it’s important to introduce softness with curves, organic shapes, and natural materials. In the past, I’ve made the mistake of painting walls in deep, saturated colours and then layering on even more colour with accessories and furniture, only to realise that level of maximalism is too much for me to live with.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
Elegant, joyful and comfortable.
Some of your favourite projects to date?
I love the process of designing new products and collaborating with talented makers to bring my ideas to life. We recently launched our largest collection to date — five new handle collections, each available in five sizes. The process begins with a hand-drawn sketch, which is then transformed into a CAD drawing and developed into a 3D model. The models are then sent to our UK foundry who hand-cast and polish the designs. After extensive sampling and tweaking to get the perfect size and finish we are left with a collection of beautiful handles that I’m incredibly proud of.
How does travelling influence your designs and tastes? Any particular destination that inspires you from a design perspective?
Travel is a vital source of inspiration for me, refreshing my perspective and sparking new ideas. I love immersing myself in the design and architecture of each place I visit, often bringing back objects as mementoes of the journey. As a food lover, I’m also excited to experience the best local cuisine wherever I go. I love Italy for its food, design and culture.
Which hotels do exquisite interior design?
I am obsessed with the elegance, comfort and attention to detail of Heckfield Place in Hampshire and I am longing to visit La Colombe d’Or in Houston, Texas.
Your favourite place to source inspiration for your designs?
I’d love to spend more time in galleries and museums, but right now, raising three young girls in the countryside makes it an occasional treat. However, the moment they’re in bed, you’ll find me with my nose in a design or interior book — a glass of wine in hand, of course!
Which Bias Edition pieces do you recommend readers buy to bring their dinner party table setting to life?
I would have to say The Wiggle candlesticks, as they add so much character to any table setting. What I love most is their versatility — you can style them in countless ways, mixing different colours and sizes, and pairing them with complementary or contrasting candles. The possibilities are endless! The beautiful light emitted from the candles, reflecting off our hand-blown tumblers, creates the most amazing and joy-filled tablescape.
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Any Questions or Tips to add?