A HOME LIKE No Other

Meg Mullins has been saying “OMG, I would like…” since she visited Bali and fell in love with the island’s handmade homewares a few years ago. After they inspired her interior design business, we find out how she gives back to Balinese communities with her custom-made products.

Name Meg Mullins

Business OMG I Would Like

How and when was your business born?

I have worked in visual merchandising and retail for a large portion of my life, and have always dreamt of owning my own store. I took a trip to Bali with my husband, daughters, and my next-door neighbours, where I discovered how many beautiful things that the people there had to offer. We ended up bringing home a multitude of pieces for our own home that my husband and I had just built.

Whilst I was there, I developed relationships within the community and found local family-owned businesses that could manufacture all the beautiful designs I had found & created; including furniture, brass ornaments, and light shades!

When I came home I had so many people asking me, “Where did you get that? Can you get that for me?” and the next thing you know, I made a business out of these relationships in Bali.

First, the business was an online store, and it’s only been online up until two months ago when I decided to open a retail space. But I see the retail space as more of a showroom for the online store than an actual shop.

Where did the business name come from?

When we went on that first Bali trip, my neighbour and I would see products and say, “Oh my god, I would love that. Oh my god, I need that. Oh my god, I have to have that.”

Then our husbands would say, “No, it’s, ‘I would like’.” He would constantly correct us on the difference between need and like.

What do you love most about your work?

I’m a complete shopaholic. I love having the ability to buy and see all these products and feel like I’m shopping every week; except I’m doing it for other people’s homes and creating these special items that will then become the key piece in their space.

How would you describe your personal style and how it translates to your business?

My love for light shades and what they can do for a room when they’re lit and unlit influences my style. It changes the whole space. It’s dramatic, and that’s what I love about it. It translates to my business structure. Most of my stock is made up of various light shades.

What is your favourite product right now?

Aside from the light shades, I also have an obsession with hanging chairs. To me, those hanging chairs are almost like little nests. When you sit in them, it gives you both a sense of calm and comfort, and you’re a little bit protected. It’s hanging free, so it gives you a sense of freedom. I love the feeling they give, but ultimately the aesthetic they offer.

What sets your business apart?

I stock items that are only ever made and created by villages in Bali. I don’t buy from wholesalers. All the stuff that happened during COVID pushed me towards this ethos. I created such loving relationships with these families and villagers because I was keeping the money in their village. They love how they’ve been given this opportunity. They love that I love their products, and it’s a real honour for them to make these things for me, and it’s such an honor for me as well. I also have a strong online presence. Rather than just being a retail store that has a few bits and pieces online, my website is thorough. It has everything available on it. The retail store is just a bit of a show and tell, somewhere you can come and meet and see all the things that are online, and interact with them in real life.

What are the current trends you’re seeing?

I buy the stuff I love. I don’t follow trends. I feel that people should design their own space around what they want and what makes them feel like it’s home.

What are your top tips for styling?

Find an anchor piece. Find one piece that you absolutely love and style around that.

What do you love about the Sunshine Coast?

I love that you can be in the mountains, on the beach, and amongst it all without having to go far. And I love the weather.

What is your go-to item?

Without a doubt, a lamp shade. How it looks during the day and how it looks once the light’s turned on and the effect of that in the room.

I also believe plants are a huge part of how to transform a room. Although I don’t sell plants, they’re an important design aesthetic.

Fave Five

Fave Hobby: Renovating

Fave Drink: Scotch

Fave Food: Mexican

Fave Colour: Black or green

Fave Saying: It is what it is