From Charlbury Start-Up to Cotswolds Destination: The Basket Room Opens New Showroom in Chipping Norton

The Basket Room has opened the doors to a newly reimagined showroom and creative headquarters in Chipping Norton, marking a significant milestone for the independent Oxfordshire-based brand.

Founded in 2014 by Holly McMullen after studying Art Foundation at Oxford Brookes University and Fashion Studies at the Arts Institute Bournemouth, The Basket Room began life in nearby Charlbury. What started as a small, independent venture has since grown into an established ethical homewares brand, working with artisan weaving groups across Africa and producing bespoke collections for brands including Loewe, Anthropologie, Toast, Lush and Daylesford.

After more than a decade of operating in evolving, makeshift spaces at its headquarters, Holly has created a permanent home that brings every part of the business under one roof. The new showroom combines retail space, packing facilities, offices, storage, and a photography studio - reflecting the hands-on, in-house approach that has defined The Basket Room since its beginning.

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“Having played shop from a young age, where my sisters and I made and sold popcorn at the end of our drive, this is something I have always dreamed of. Even though the brand is 12 years old, there’s nothing more rewarding than talking to a customer in person,” says founder Holly McMullen.

Located just outside Chipping Norton, not far from the company’s roots in Charlbury, the new space places The Basket Room within one of the UK’s most influential destinations for design, interiors and independent retail, with Daylesford Farm and Soho Farmhouse only a short drive away.

The transformation has been shaped with a considered, resourceful approach, using reclaimed materials, second-hand furniture and carefully sourced vintage pieces. Local father-and-son makers Mark and Bear helped bring the space to life, working closely with Holly to create a setting that feels both functional and expressive. Design details run throughout the showroom, from repurposed shelving and vintage furnishings to a distinctive lighting feature crafted from reclaimed scaffold boards. At the entrance, planting inspired by Moroccan riads has been created in collaboration with Holly’s sister Lucy, a qualified gardener, echoing the landscapes where many of the brand’s baskets are woven.

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“Having started my creative journey at art college in Oxford, it feels so grounding to have set up a business where my roots are,” Holly adds.

While the showroom allows visitors to experience The Basket Room’s collections in person, it has also been designed as a flexible creative space for the future. “I am really looking forward to building a closer community and using the space to connect with like-minded creatives in the area, with visions for collaborative events, pop-ups and exhibitions,” she says.

Over the past decade, The Basket Room has grown from a small Oxfordshire start-up into a recognised ethical homewares brand, underpinned by long-term partnerships with artisan weaving groups across Africa and a commitment to preserving traditional craftsmanship.

In 2021, founder Holly McMullen was awarded the Female Founder Award at the Independent Awards, founded by Holly Tucker, in recognition of her contribution to independent British business.

Visitors are invited to explore the full collection in person, experience the textures and craftsmanship behind each piece, and discover the stories of the artisan makers who create them.

Visit the Showroom

The Basket Room Showroom

Unit 9 Worcester Road Trading Park

Chipping Norton

Oxfordshire

OX7 5XW

Monday to Friday: 9am–5pm

Saturday: 10am–2pm

Sunday: Closed

No appointment necessary.

For further information, please contact: holly@thebasketroom.com