At home with:
A quick-fire chat with the founder of On The Table and serial hospitality entrepreneur, Lucy Mee

If you could live in any building, which would it be?

I love the Tuba Club in Marseille! I’d jump in the sea every morning and then have long lunches of garlicky prawns and lots of cold wine. It’s the allure of a simple house by the sea, somewhere warm, where doors stay open and life flows inside and outside. Thick stone walls, worn floors and lots of light. A place that feels calm and grounding — nothing precious, just timeless

What’s your favourite small object from home, why, and what does it mean to you?

When I was growing up, my mum had so many amazing pieces in our little cottage. All so eclectic, chic and whacky. When she passed away, they became mine, and one of my favourites has to be this Vietri Solimene Italian Fish Pitcher. I love the blues and the hand-painted artwork. It’s a visual reminder that simplicity can be something to strive for. And just looking at it plunges me into daydreams of sun-drenched al fresco lunches in the Mediterranean

Favourite place to visit if you are lacking inspiration?

Greece always has a lasting effect on me. Athens never fails to inspire. Or the Cyclades. So far I have visited Sifnos and Milos where the food is simple, relaxed and always presented beautifully. The food of a place obviously plays a huge part. Japan is next on this list and I imagine it would stir the same thing in me

Is there a film, song or painting that evokes, aligns with or defines your creativity?

Charles and Eddie ‘Would I Lie to You’ – it just gets me in such a flow. It was my mum’s favourite song and she played it all the time. She was a fashion designer back in the 80s and it energised her. It does the same for me

Dream place to design a home for you or for someone else?

A Greek island or maybe the Costa Brava. Somewhere on the Mediterranean coast. Designing around the sun, the heat, and a slower pace of life. I would design a home around long lunches and a life of salty skin and sandy feet

What’s the best creative mistake you’ve ever made?

Letting go of perfection. Some of my favourite outcomes have come from decisions that felt slightly risky or unresolved at the time. Those moments can bring the most character. For example, I curated a spread of food for a brand recently and whilst I had an idea of how I wanted it all to look, I hadn’t quite worked out what the crisp tower I was building would sit on. I grabbed the platter on a stand that I was originally going to use for a big round cheese, but it just worked so much better with the crisps. They became the star of the show for the event! 

Can you think of a design trend that you used to dislike, but now love?

Pattern. I used to avoid it completely, but I’ve learned how much warmth it can bring when it’s measured and subtle. In my downstairs bathroom, I’ve used a hand-printed wallpaper full of sun faces by Stoff Studios. It’s a burst of character and warmth. It makes the space more human, more layered and achieves comfort