You’ve probably already heard of Olive Ateliers, the experiential home decor retailer in Los Angeles serving up a unique, one-of-a-kind collection of vintage objects sourced from around the world. In a short amount of time, the brand has amassed a loyal following that includes A-list celebrities and interior designers. Olive Ateliers quickly outgrew their first space in LA and have since upgraded to a large warehouse downtown to accommodate their coveted “drops.” “We’ve always sought to adorn our homes using special objects with a story to tell but found them incredibly hard to source,” Kendall Knox the co-founder told us, “Realizing this gap in the marketplace - a one-stop shop for fairly priced, hard-to-source home decor and goods - naturally brought about the inception of our brand.” Lulu and Georgia is thrilled to be the first to carry an exclusive, extremely-limited collection of OA items online and we can’t wait to see where this blooming brand goes next.
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We love a brand with a clear and consistent ethos. Tell us about the meaning and mission behind Olive Ateliers.
Olive Ateliers was born from an adoration of Objects with Old Souls. We source and curate collections of one-of-a-kind objects with charm and character, that are a little rough around the edges, and that embody that of an old soul. We’re on a mission to inspire curious living by creating access to one-of-a-kind objects, awe-inspiring spaces, and innovative experiences.
Your brand has amassed a loyal following in a short amount of time. What has the journey looked like so far?
We started dropping curated collections via Instagram stories in June of 2021. We hosted our first pop-up later in November. We moved into our first flagship Atelier in December, opening doors for the first time in January of 2022. A year later, we’ve now settled into our 22,000 sq foot space in the iconic Arts District of LA. All this to say, we’ve been growing as fast as our community has allowed us to. Sharing an adoration for unique objects has brought us all together; without them, we absolutely would not be where we are today.
You founded Olive Ateliers amid the end of the pandemic. Was there a catalyst or specific moment that led you to starting the business?
Olive Ateliers, for us, began at the heart of everything; our home. We’ve always sought to adorn our homes using special objects with a story to tell but found them incredibly hard to source. When we could get our hands on these pieces, they were often only available with an inflated markup. Realizing this gap in the marketplace - a one-stop shop for fairly priced, hard-to-source home decor and goods - naturally brought about the inception of our brand.
Any styling tips for layering your pieces into peoples' homes?
We like to let the objects be the hero. Rehoming vintage or antique objects where possible and incorporating natural materials will not only bring about a more sustainable environment while invoking a curious way of living.
How would you describe your style?
Our style is woven into our philosophy - we’re obsessed with the experience of nostalgia; we’re innately curious; and we’re charismatic, as witnessed through our objects.
Tell us about where these beautiful pieces are sourced from.
We source thoughtfully from Turkey, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Greece, France and more. We’ve hand-picked countless vessels in Turkey, sourced precious onyx from Indonesia, and discovered vintage elm benches from Chinese schoolhouses. Sourcing trips have been an integral part of our journey, and we’re excited to travel to and discover more curious corners of the globe as we grow.
Care is critical in preserving these pieces; how should customers care for them?
Factors like age and material are crucial to take into consideration. Care will depend on the object - we encourage our community to reach out to us via DM or email should they need assistance.
What’s next for Olive Ateliers?
Our team is ever-growing. We’re exploring ways to expand the brand and reach new markets. And we may or not be considering an online experience. Watch this space.