Alice McMullin & Matt Ogilvie
Partners in life and work, Alice McMullin & Matt Ogilvie from McMullin & Co, have built a homeware brand that’s grown exponentially in just a few short years.
Photography: Michael Comninus
Matt Ogilvie and Alice McMullin from McMullin & Co. Photo: Michael Comninus
McMullin & Co ceramic vessels. Photo: Michael Comninus
H&F: Hi Alice & Matt, tell us about how the McMullin & Co journey first came about?
Alice: Like many great ideas, ours started in the early hours after a few too many bottles of wine. My background is in spatial and interior design, but I’d always dreamed of working for myself. It was on one of these late-night escapades that an idea for a contemporary homeware and furniture design studio was born after seeing a huge gap between the values of mass production with the rise of slow, seasonless quality.
Matt: And like many of our late nights, I’ve always been up for the ride… But little did we know that the following four-year journey to today would involve, learning how to navigate international producers, thousands of rounds of design sampling, hundreds of container unloads, two warehouses, a fire, a flood, two children to opening our first physical showroom surrounded by a team of very talented people.
What does a ‘normal’ day at work look like for you both.
Alice: Like I’m sure you’ve heard from many business owners, no one day is the same! Right now, the only constant is waking up to find one of our young children buried in our bed after sneaking in at night. The morning is usually a race to get them out the door, and with our big five-year-old starting school this year, I’m sure life’s going to a get a little more manic.
Matt: After the morning rush is over with, we’ll usually drive in together and cover off the plan for the day. We usually make most of our decisions in this 15 minute car-ride in. Because as soon as we arrive at the studio, we’ll split into two to meet with our respective teams to tackle the day. Whether it’s critiquing the texture of a new chair sample, unloading a container, coming up with new sustainable packaging ideas, or shooting content… no two days are the same.
What are each of your roles in the business? Why do you think this dynamic works so well?
Alice: I wear multiple hats, but officially I’m the creative director, which involves everything from production design and all our brand and visual creative direction. I’m also really lucky that the business has grown to a point that has allowed Matt to leave his career in PR and advertising agencies to pick up the general management of the business, which allows me to really focus on constantly innovating our designs with new materials, makers, artists and collaborators.
Matt: Up until this year, my role was relegated to after my ‘day job’, late night after work hours, weekends and holidays. But now that I’ve stepped in to support full time, we sat down at the start of the year to be clear about who did what, to ensure we had the autonomy to do our own thing. We’re both dominant personalities, so I’m sure we’ll have our days. But, at the end of the day, we’re both really privileged to be in our position to work for ourselves.
‘I love seeing an idea on a post-it note turn into a physical product I can touch, experience and share,’ says Alice McMullin. Pictured: Martha Lamp from McMullin &Co. Photo: Michael Comninus
“I find my best ideas are usually informed by abstract shapes that catch my eye in the most unexpected places. I’m also really inspired by the depth of raw hidden talent in Australia right now.”
The Audrey Floor Mirror from McMullin &Co. Photo: Michael Comninus
The Ida Armchair from McMullin &Co. Photo: Michael Comninus
The Santos Dining Chair from McMullin &Co. Photo: Michael Comninus
The Percy Floor Lamp from McMullin &Co. Photo: Michael Comninus
What do you love most about what you do?
Alice: I love seeing an idea on a post-it note turn into a physical product I can touch, experience and share. Which can only be done by working with our team of creatives, artisans, and makers whose passion for slow, season-less quality is at the heart of everything we do.
Matt: I’ve spent my whole career helping other brands and businesses grow. Now, I can do it for my own.
How would you best describe McMullin & Co’s style?
Matt: Clean, contemporary, slow and seasonless.
Where do you gather inspiration?
Alice: I find my best ideas are usually informed by abstract shapes that can catch my eye in the most unexpected places. I’m also really inspired by the a depth of raw hidden talent in Australia right now, for example I was lucky enough to stumble across up and coming artist Phoebe Stone who only picked up a paintbrush after feeling burnt out by covid. I reached out and am lucky to be part of her first brand collaboration in a series of exclusive McMullin & Co portraits.
Matt: This is cheesy, but Alice really inspires me as the mother of our two beautiful children, Lucia and Theo. While also building a brand and a team during what many would say has been the most disruptive periods of our lifetime. Cue the heart strings!
What’s been your proudest work moment to date?
Alice: For me, it was building our first showroom and interiors studio in the heart of a community that we love in Marrickville. It’s a huge milestone for the brand.
Matt: I totally agree, the space reflects our journey from a small online furniture brand into a community of home bodies, creatives, artisans and makers who appreciate slow, seasonless design.
What’s the best piece of advice you would give to a small design business starting out?
Alice: Trust your gut and focus all your energy on the quality of design and product. The rest will follow.
Matt: Develop a brand story and visual aesthetic that’s rare and stick to it.
What’s coming up for McMullin & Co this year?
Alice: We’re releasing our third collection that will totally challenge everything we’ve ever done. But I’ve never been more excited. Dropping in April. Watch this space.
Matt: After two years of isolation, we’re also really excited to launch our Marrickville showroom with a calendar of events and activations that we hope will engage our local community of creatives and customers in real life!