The Stories My Pieces Tell: styling With Soul, & Sustainability
Every Object I Style from the humble knife & fork, to candlesticks, books & florals has its own personality. A story to tell, share - & sometimes, secrets they keep.
They are never just “things”. Some were inherited. Some found in markets, charity shops. some gifted often tucked away until discovered again. They are intertwined with histories - personal & shared. Others are fragile, translucent Japanese porcelain, or Edwardian crockery softened by decades of use. And yes, one teapot in my collection is so characterful, she’s affectionately known as Mrs Potts.
Each carries a thread. Family Heirlooms & lost treasures that have lay hidden for generations. Each piece arrives with its own story & its for me to weave those into creating new ones.
I don’t see them as props or just another plate or glass. I see them as storytellers. When placed in a tablescape, a home, or a product shoot, they create something far richer than decoration — they create atmosphere, memory, and connection.
Why Objects Matter & What They Whisper to us
Every object brings a presence. A candlestick patinaed with age; a book with someone else’s dedication in the front or a note hidden away in the pages. A linen that carries the stories of countless family meals; a silver spoon polished with wear marks from years of use, ornately decorated pieces to those so fine, almost translucent that feel like they could shatter with just a sigh.
Objects like these remind us that styling isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating a space where people feel part of something timeless — rooted in memory, yet alive in the moment.
Styling as Choreography
I don’t decorate. I choreograph.
A table must have rhythm — pauses, movement, a flow that draws the eye in and lets it rest. Every choice matters: space, height, texture, light all play their part.
Its a deliberate decision - where something sits, the space around it, how textures & height interplay - its all part of that rhythm & flow.
Nothing is placed by chance.
This is why no Carter & Olive design is ever duplicated. Each table is intentional, responding to the feeling, mood, light, the space, and the people.
There are no templates, no generic “social media” “cookie cutter” set ups. Bespoke every time
Beyond Weddings
Though many people discover me through weddings, my work isn’t limited to them.
The same philosophy applies to:
Micro-gatherings & intimate celebrations
Editorial shoots & brand campaigns
Artisan product styling
Dried floral design & repurposed vintage china
Each piece is chosen with the same care: not for how it looks alone, but for the story it carries and the new ones it will help create.
Why Sustainability Matters
In a world of replicas and mass-produced décor, sustainability isn’t a restriction. It’s a luxury.
Every vintage, preloved, and repurposed piece carries craftsmanship, soul, and scarcity. These are one-offs — they can’t simply be replaced by a click of a button.
This is what makes styling with vintage so powerful: it’s not just sustainable, it’s deeply human.
Every object tells a story. My role is to listen, then weave those stories into settings that feel soulful, sustainable, and unforgettable.
Anyone can decorate. But not everyone can create a space where people feel part of something bigger — their own story, layered with memory and meaning.
If you’d like your celebration, shoot, or brand styling to feel as unique as the stories it tells, let’s begin with a conversation.
Katey x