It all began with a mid-century Mexican hand mirror that now hangs in my hall. For the next episode of the Reclaimed Woman podcast, think about the things that give a home feeling, and meet Opto, a homeware brand of one-of-a-kind vintage pieces founded by Brian Tufte and Marcus Stemp. Our conversation gave me a lot of peace ahead of the next phase of my home renovation, so I am excited for you to hear their approach to collecting and designing their home. Slow design can be easy to preach and harder to practise in a world accustomed to next-day delivery. Even though I had experienced the benefits of taking my time, living in my old flat to get a feel for the space while gradually sourcing reclaimed materials, I was able to do the actual renovation in one go. By contrast, my current reno is happening piece by piece, room by room, which has been an adjustment.
Tips from Marcus’ mum and their take on the evolution of a room recharged my commitment to getting to know a home before making changes. Case in point, weeks before we start renovating our bedrooms, we have decided to switch the use of the primary bedroom to create another living or workspace, possibly a kid’s zone one day, and we’re relocating our bedroom to what was our office and guest bedroom. We’ve lived here for 4 years, so we’ve had the chance to really live, work, and entertain here, yet this idea only just came to us weeks before we start renovating the bedrooms.
Listen to our chat about timelessness, sourcing travels (and my thing for their vintage mirrors) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen
My mid-century Mexican hallway mirror from Opto
Visit Opto
Explore the collection…
From the top, Brazilian folk art woodcut print, mid-century fish dish, vintage Nemadji vase – view their collection of Nemadji pottery here, 1970’s studio pottery oil lamp, mid-century Alpaca silver pineapple ice bucket, studio pottery plate, all from Opto
After chatting to Brian and Marcus, I visited Greenwich Vintage Market for the first time and picked up this unexpected pairing. On the left, a cathedral roof tile from Puglia from Opto and right, a French plate from Cash Cow Vintage.
Find their upcoming pop-up dates here
©Photographs courtesy of Opto & Reclaimed Woman