StyleNest catch up with Camilla Kelly, founder of www.themintlist.com, an online interiors emporium selling a unique, handpicked collection of vintage furniture, gifts and accessories for the home.
You had a successful career in marketing before launching The Mint List, working for huge corporations such as BSkyB as well as small, start-up companies. How has your experience helped and led you to setting up your own business?
I think there comes a point when you realise that all the skills you’ve picked up over the years have fallen into place, the time is right and you‘re ready to go it alone. At that point you’re grateful for every single thing you’ve learnt along the way from client facing roles to budgeting, sales and just the day-to-day running of things. Every little piece of experience helps you when you’re starting out and you need all the help you can get.
You grew up fully immersed in the world of antiques, with your parents owning their own antique shop. How has this had an impact on opening up your own interiors store, and how did it prepare you for working in the interiors industry?
It gave me a grounding in the business and an appreciation and a passion for interiors items with history and personality. From early on I developed an eye for style and design and I always knew that at some point I would like to work in the industry. At the age of six myself and my sister had a stall outside my parents shop selling chipped vintage teacups for 5p. I’m pretty much following the same formula now, except there’s no chips and slightly more profit thank goodness.
Where did the idea for The Mint List come from?
After some time studying this area, I noticed a gap in the market for time-poor people who like to buy unique items for their homes but perhaps don’t have the time to trawl antique fairs, independent boutiques or studios. I wanted to create one unique marketplace with all the curating done for you, so you don’t have to spend hours browsing to find something incredible.
You decided to launch The Mint List after the birth of your daughter Freda. What prompted you to take the plunge and finally go for it?
I had been in a full time working career since I left university at the age of 21. I never had time or the opportunity to take stock and assess whether I was fulfilling my ambition. When I left work to have Freda it was the first time I consciously realised I was ready to do something else. I knew I was never going to be a full time mum and the time just felt right for me to develop plans for The Mint List.
Any advice you can give other budding entrepreneurs for setting up their own business?
There’s so much advice I could give. Mainly I would say, keep the faith and believe in yourself and have the courage to go for it in the first place. Be prepared to devote all the hours of the day to the business, as if you have enough drive and determination it will pay off.
You have an eclectic range of products on The Mint List, all from independent sellers. How do you choose what to include, how does something catch your eye?
It’s all instinct really – yes we keep an eye on what’s happening in the industry and that does inform some decisions but in general, pieces on The Mint List have a spirit that is vintage or antique and is most importantly unique.
How would you describe your own interior style at home?
My style at home is a mixture of classic, contemporary and collectible pieces with some one-off wonders sourced through The Mint List of course.
How would you describe your own personal style? Do you have any favourite designers you like to wear?
Main contenders would be Isabel Marant, Sessun and Acne. But generally I wear a mish-mash of designer, vintage and high street pieces.
Any secret places from your address book you can share with us? The best beauty stores to visit, restaurants to dine in, or somewhere fabulous to have a cocktail?
At the moment I’m working on interior design for brand new, super hip restaurant Chick N’ Sours in Shoreditch. Sour cocktails and fried chicken, opening this spring, you heard it here first.
And any secret places to go vintage or antique shopping, and any tips of what to look for?
Well The Mint List of course! If it’s not on the site, we’ll source it for you. So you can put your feet up and catch up on ‘Better Call Saul’ (sorry I’m obsessed with it).
What do you think will be in the next trend in interiors?
I think there will be a move away from colour, a move towards of a more pure, simplistic, organic style with a celebration of individual key pieces. Less is more.
When designing and decorating your home, do you have any style rules, or any dos and don´ts?
I wish I could live by my own rules more and stop bringing home amazing pieces from The Mint List that I simply don’t have room for!
I actually think it’s very difficult to design your own home as you’re too close to it all to be objective. So I would say chat your ideas through with someone else who has fresh eyes and you’ll find your instinct is normally right. Trust in your own style and don’t get too sucked into interiors magazines – all the ideas can get overwhelming.
Running your own business and being a mum must keep you pretty busy! How do you like to relax and unwind?
I make jewellery and play online scrabble (sad but true).
What is a typical day for you at The Mint List, if there is one!
There really isn’t one. I may be in the office ploughing through paperwork, knee deep in tiles in a reclamation yard, on my knees painting up sample boards, putting mood boards together, briefing builders on site or trailing the design shows looking for new stock pieces. I do always make sure I make time in my day for my daughter, even if it means I have to work into the night to make up for it – it’s so important. She’s growing up so fast and I don’t want to miss it.
Any future plans for The Mint List that you can share with us?
We’re bringing out some gorgeous new products this spring – watch this space.
And finally, if you could take a peek into someone´s house for a day, who would choose?
Tom Dixon’s. He’s a genius.