The Kitchen As A Starting Point For Living Well
Tucked inside a cozy little shop with soft lighting and honest materials—think warm wood, brushed steel, and linen—Olivia Hayes is quietly helping people shift the way they think about their home’s kitchen. And she’s not talking about expensive remodels or trendy upgrades. For her, it all starts with the basics—what you cook with, what you eat on, and what you reach for every single day.
Beyond The Shopping List
Most folks walk in thinking they’ll pick up a new pan or a thoughtful gift. And sure, they probably will. But often, they leave with something else—a new way of looking at their daily routines. Hayes doesn’t push products. Instead, she nudges people to choose things that add a bit of joy to ordinary tasks. Whether that’s cooking a meal or setting the table for one, it’s about feeling good in your space.
Curation With Purpose
There’s nothing random about the items in Olivia’s store. She’s picky in the best way possible. You won’t find shelves crammed with trendy gadgets. What you’ll see are simple, well-made pieces that feel like they belong—today, and five years from now. Scandinavian design influences much of it: clean shapes, muted colors, and that quiet elegance you don’t always notice right away but really feel over time.
The Beauty of Less in the Kitchen
You know those massive cookware sets most people never actually use? Hayes would rather sell you one solid skillet that’ll earn a permanent place on your stove. Same with knives, glassware, or anything else—she’s a big believer in choosing fewer things, but better ones. The kind that don’t just sit pretty in the cupboard, but get used and loved every day.
A Harmonious Home Beyond The Kitchen
While cookware is a big focus, Olivia’s eye for intentional living extends beyond the stovetop. You’ll find simple tabletop pieces, smart storage that doesn’t scream for attention, and understated details that bring a certain calm to the home. Even a plain napkin or wooden tray, when chosen thoughtfully, can tie a room together in the most subtle way.
What’s Resonating Now – Texture, Honesty And Legacy
Some items just click with customers—like glassware from iittala, known for its clean look and old-world roots. Lately, there’s been more buzz around textures: unfinished wood, soft linen, and things that feel nice to hold. The trend? Fewer flashy, Instagram-worthy pieces and more that feel authentic and age well with time.
Start With Your Habits
When people feel stuck or overwhelmed, Hayes keeps things simple. She’ll ask: “What do you actually do in your kitchen?” Do you cook often? Host friends? Or just enjoy the quiet of a solo dinner? From there, it’s about building a few core tools that suit your real life. A pan you trust. A bowl you always reach for. That’s usually enough to get started.
Form Meets Function – A Personal Favourite
Ask Olivia for a favourite, and she lights up: enamel-coated cast iron cookware. Big pots, small ones—it doesn’t matter. They’re built to last, work on the stove or in the oven, and look good enough to take straight to the table. No frills. Just solid, beautiful design that earns its spot in any kitchen.
A Shift Toward Conscious Living
More and more, customers seem to care about what their things are made of—and who made them. There’s a move away from disposable, cheap stuff toward items that carry some weight (literally and figuratively). Olivia’s thrilled to see it. For her, it’s not about filling shelves. It’s about finding pieces that tell a story and stick around.
Less Perfection
Her last bit of advice on the Kitchen? Don’t obsess over a Pinterest-perfect kitchen. Forget matching sets or flawless counters. Instead, pick tools that actually help you cook, bring a sense of ease, and feel right for your space. A home isn’t about how it looks in a photo—it’s about how it feels to live in every day.
