Deep Dive in Design: Entertaining Essentials with Carolina, Olympia, and Ariadne Irving

Released on September 25, 2024

In this engaging episode of Deep Dive in Design, host Dara Caponigro welcomes Carolina, Olympia, and Ariadne Irving, the creative minds behind the lifestyle brand Carolina Irving and Daughters. The trio delves into their journey of building a family-run business, the intricacies of entertaining, and their passion for art-inspired homeware. This detailed summary captures the essence of their conversation, highlighting key insights, experiences, and practical tips for both budding entrepreneurs and design enthusiasts.

1. The Birth of Carolina Irving and Daughters

Eugenia Soto introduces the Irving sisters and their mother, Carolina, who launched Carolina Irving and Daughters in 2018. Initially focusing on tabletop ceramics, the brand quickly expanded into a broader range of handcrafted, purposeful objects designed to celebrate daily moments.

Carolina Irving shares the spontaneous nature of their venture:

“It was very quick. I was sitting with the girls in their apartment in London, just chatting, and I had already started making some plates because I just loved it.” ([01:15])

The decision to formalize their collaboration was immediate, driven by their shared love for entertaining, food, and ceramics. The trio's swift action, including establishing a website just before the COVID-19 pandemic, proved pivotal. Carolina reflects on this decision:

“We had a real presence, we had a commercial presence. And when Covid hit, it saved us completely.” ([02:58])

Olympia Irving adds that launching the website during the pandemic allowed them to connect with customers seeking beauty and comfort at home:

“People were just happy to see things and know that you could still be surrounded by beautiful things even though you couldn't leave your house.” ([03:24])

2. Building a Family Business: Roles and Dynamics

Eugenia Soto probes into the dynamics of running a family business. Olympia Irving emphasizes the transparency and open communication among family members:

“We can be really open with each other about what we like and what we don't like. There's no fear in expressing what our likes and dislikes are.” ([04:07])

The sisters have naturally fallen into distinct roles:

• Ariadne and Carolina focus on the creative aspects, leveraging their backgrounds in art history.
• Olympia handles logistics and collaborations.

Olympia highlights the harmonious collaboration:

“We all have the same eye; we were brought up by my mom, so I think we're all sort of drawn to the same thing. It’s magical.” ([05:10])

3. Lessons from the Past: Oscar de la Renta Experience

Carolina Irving recounts her tenure as the creative director for Oscar de la Renta Home and the valuable lessons learned:

“Designing textiles is different. You understand what the market wants, create a collection that makes sense, and manage production and pricing effectively.” ([05:40])

Olympia credits Carolina's experience as foundational for their own business:

“If you hadn't done it, we wouldn't have been able to start our business. You need to understand production and timings.” ([06:55])

Navigating the shift from a corporate brand to their own venture allowed them greater creative freedom:

“It was liberating because we could go crazy and experiment without restrictions.” ([08:48])

4. Intergenerational Collaboration: Blending Past and Present

Ariadne Irving underscores the importance of their intergenerational approach:

“From my mom, we get the tradition and vast knowledge about art history, which sets us on a higher level.” ([09:34])

This blend of old and new influences their designs, merging historical references with contemporary trends. Olympia echoes this sentiment, highlighting their upbringing surrounded by diverse social interactions:

“We were always surrounded by people of all ages, which naturally influenced our intergenerational business model.” ([11:47])

5. Embracing the Joy of Living through Design

The brand's ethos revolves around “making art inspired homeware for the joy of living”. Ariadne defines joy in living as:

“Being surrounded by things that make you smile and beautiful items that offer moments of peace and serenity.” ([12:28])

Carolina adds that rituals, such as sitting around a table, create meaningful interactions:

“These rituals where you sit around a table are moments of happiness and make life more enjoyable.” ([13:43])

Olympia further emphasizes the everyday aspect of their philosophy:

“Elevating a moment, like sitting down to a meal, makes it special.” ([13:43])

6. Philosophy on Entertaining and Tabletop Design

Olympia Irving discusses their approach to tabletop design, aiming to bridge the gap between expensive, formal plates and overly simple, outdated crockery:

“We wanted people to use our plates every day, whether it's a TV dinner or a dinner for 20 people. Our plates are dishwasher and microwave safe, making them practical and beautiful.” ([14:57])

This philosophy is rooted in their childhood exposure to both formal and informal entertaining, blending elegance with ease:

“Mixing old and new, high and low, informs our brand ethos and design approach.” ([17:04])

7. Practical Tips for Hosting and Entertaining

The Irvings share their meticulous preparation process, emphasizing early setup to reduce stress:

• Carolina: “I set the table in the morning to allow time for adjustments. It prevents last-minute stress.” ([22:30])
• Ariadne: “Setting the table early allows you to enjoy the view while cooking.” ([23:36])
• Olympia: “Plan which platters to use for each dish to streamline the process.” ([24:25])

They outline their top three entertaining rules:

1. Lighting: Creating a comfortable and intimate atmosphere with candles and soft lighting.

   “Lighting is the most important thing. It creates an atmosphere where people feel comfortable.” ([25:47])

2. Guest Comfort: Ensuring guests feel included and at ease.

   “Make sure guests are included in conversations and feel comfortable.” ([26:29])

3. Visual Appeal: Enhancing the table's beauty with simple yet elegant decorations.

   “Adding candles or fruits can transform a plain table setting.” ([27:19])

Ariadne suggests additional touches, such as offering drinks upon arrival and providing a self-serve bar area to minimize guest inconvenience:

“Having a mini ice bucket or a setup where guests can help themselves makes them feel more comfortable.” ([28:45])

8. The Influence of Childhood and Heritage

Ariadne reflects on their grandmother's formal entertaining and their parents' blend of formality with fun:

“The mix of 18th-century cutlery with rustic plates taught us to balance tradition with modernity.” ([17:04])

Olympia shares how their upbringing fostered a love for bringing people together:

“We love putting people together and seeing everyone enjoy themselves.” ([33:07])

9. Future Plans and Expansion

Looking ahead, the Irvings express a desire to expand their product range and engage more directly with customers through events:

• Carolina: “We aim to grow our range beyond plates and delve deeper into lifestyle products.” ([33:46])
• Ariadne: “Hosting trunk shows and pop-ups will allow customers to experience our designs in person.” ([34:06])

Olympia underscores the importance of face-to-face interactions:

“Designs come to life when seen in person, and pop-ups offer a wonderful opportunity to connect with customers.” ([34:06])

Conclusion

The Carolina Irving and Daughters team exemplifies the harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, fueled by familial collaboration and a shared passion for design. Their insights into entertaining, combined with practical hosting tips, offer valuable guidance for listeners interested in both entrepreneurship and the art of creating beautiful, joyful living spaces.

Thank you to Schumacher for sponsoring today's episode.