who we are
Simon Hooper
Over a twenty year career in investment management Simon has been involved in multiple office moves. He is used to being ‘the client’ and is acutely sensitive to the commercial demands that sit alongside a successful design brief such as cost control and delivery deadlines.
His decision to leave the world of investment and set up Octavia was driven by inhabiting too many bland office environments full of mass market, identikit furniture with no thought given to the wasteful and costly approach to their design and installation. Teaming up with Laura, Simon is on a mission to deliver workplaces that are a genuine joy to inhabit, that are an asset to owners, employees and clients alike.
Laura Hill
Laura’s background as an interior stylist for a variety of magazines within the Hearst and IPC portfolio and latterly as lead designer for private client interiors projects gives her the ability to create spaces with character and warmth.
Decidedly and proudly ‘un-corporate’ in her approach, Laura enjoys the process of getting to know her clients and engendering a collaborative relationship throughout. Her drive to be a part of the conversation to change the rip out/throw out nature of office interiors is central to the way she designs. Laura also brings with her a little black book of contacts and crafts people from furniture makers, framers, restoration specialists, antiques dealers and upholsterers – bringing a unique slant to each and every project.