Team RJ Living: Milly, Product & Design Manager

Get to know the team behind it all! Team RJ Living is a series where we chat with members of our team and learn about their roles, favourite pieces and more.

An industrial designer by trade, Milly is responsible for designing our expanding RJ Living product range. She is passionate about creating clean, simple designs, made from sustainably sourced materials, and forging meaningful relationships with our makers. Learn more about her work, favourite pieces and tips on buying your dream furniture.

What's the best about RJ Living and working here?

I really love being able to create thoughtful, considered and customer centred products. We also have a really great team at RJ, so of course working with them, along with our suppliers and producers.

What are your work essentials?

A lot of computer screens, coffee and some solid playlists.

Tell us about your favourite furniture designs!

We have some really exciting new products from Grado (and still more to come!), I really love the Swell sofa, it really balances statement with function. At RJ Living, we can't get enough storage, so another one of my top products is our Contour Rattan Tall shelving unit, it just elevates any room it's in.

Which homewares are you most drawn to?

It's really hard to pick a favourite homewares design, my most favourite brands are Lightly and Citta. Lightly is an Australian brand so everything manages to fit into our local design styles, my most favourite product would be the Tone Planters. Citta is based in Auckland, I really love the new Point table lamp, it balances the different materials really well.

What’s your home style like?

My home style is comfortable and calming. I balance different textures and colours to make something cohesive and unique but ultimately focused on functionality. As we're spending a lot more time at home during COVID, everything needs to have a few different purposes while still looking somewhat normal and happy.

Any furniture buying or styling tips for the RJ Living community?

Purchase things that make you happy, not because they're trendy. Think about longevity and build up from there.