Michelle Ogundehin's Shopping Philosophy: Less Stuff, More Meaning
Michelle Ogundehin, the former editor-in-chief of Elle Decoration and head judge on BBC's Interior Design Masters, offers a refreshing take on consumer habits in a candid interview. With a background in architecture and roles as a commentator, consultant, and trustee of the Design Museum, she emphasizes that "we grownups have enough stuff already," advocating for mindful purchases that enhance daily life rather than clutter it.
Treats and Essentials: Removing Friction from Favourites
For Ogundehin, treats are not about indulgence but about smoothing out life's little hassles. Her recent buy? A small bundle of artist-grade watercolour paper, which brings her "disproportionate pleasure" by making her creative process easier. She also praises great linen sheets, noting she still uses a pair bought from an Elle Decoration offer during Ilse Crawford's editorship, highlighting the value of quality over quantity.
Food and Gifts: Rhythmic Shopping and Thoughtful Giving
When it comes to groceries, Ogundehin sticks to a routine: basics from Sainsbury's or Waitrose online, plus a weekly organic veg box from Riverford, which also supplies most of her meat. She prefers this "rhythmic" approach to avoid overwhelm. On gifting, she and her friends have shifted away from adult presents, focusing only on children, as "we grownups have more than enough stuff already." The best gift she received? A small tapestry from Souad at Larusi, a vintage Berber rug seller, though she's still deciding where to place it.
Retail Preferences: IRL Over Infinite Online Browsing
Ogundehin favours in-person shopping at "edited" physical stores. Her top picks include independent hardware or DIY shops, which she calls "unsung heroes of domestic wellbeing," along with museum shops at the Design Museum and V&A, old-fashioned art supply stores like Cornelissen's, and any bookshop. While she occasionally checks emails from Japan House for items like yuzu sake, she'd rather visit London to buy in person, citing the high price of £49 for the sake as a deterrent.
Gadgets and Regrets: Practical Tools and Patient Purchasing
The gadget she uses most is a matt stainless steel stove-top kettle designed by Sori Yanagi in 1953, followed by an Aarke water filter jug made of glass and stainless steel. Ogundehin claims no purchase regrets, explaining that she waits until she's "fully in love" with an item before buying, allowing habits to reveal themselves over time.
Everyday Items and Splurges: Investing in Touchpoints
For deliveries, she opts for mundane essentials like loo roll and dog food. Underwear comes from M&S packs of three, chosen for comfort over aesthetics. With £20, she'd buy a hardback notebook from Papier or a thin one from Muji; with £200, she'd invest in lighting, calling it "the most underestimated tool for wellbeing in the home." Her repeat buys include Tisserand organic essential oils, such as juniper berry and lavender, to alter a room's scent and nervous system.
Lifestyle Choices and Vintage Finds
Ogundehin doesn't drink coffee, sticking to water and one cup of green tea from Japan each morning. Her biggest splurge is her house, currently undergoing renovation with focus on "boring but important stuff like insulation." She believes in spending on everyday items like pens and door handles, as they're the "touchpoints of life." Her greatest vintage find was a 1950s teak and ribbed glass chandelier, left behind in her old house due to its perfect fit in the bathroom, though she now feels a tinge of regret.
This interview sheds light on Ogundehin's approach to shopping, blending practicality with passion, and underscores her ethos of creating a home that supports wellbeing without excess.
