A few months back, a dear old friend of mine, Camille Styles, sent me an email to let me know she was coming up to Seattle, and would I possibly be interested in putting together a dinner party for her blog? I didn’t hesitate to say yes to the opportunity to jump into the roll of of hostess after literal years of not really hosting parties in the way that I used to.

I immediately dug into my stack of cookbooks and travel memories to come up with an Italian dinner in the way I like to do it – family style, not too fussy, dishes that can sit out all evening and be eaten at leisure. The result along with several recipes is up today on Camille’s site – you can find it right here – and I decided to also share one of my favorite recipes from the shoot with you all here too!

This dish combines some of my favorite flavor profiles – salty, crunchy, and refreshing at the same time. It’s a lovely little snack, a topper for fresh bread or toast, and of course simply delightful on its own as a side dish too. I adapted this recipe from “Piatti” by Stacy Adimando, a wonderful cookbook for those looking for authentic Italian dishes beyond pasta.

Castelvetrano Olive & Celery Salad // serves 6-8

• 3 1/2 cups pitted Castelvetrano Olives – sliced in half
• 8-10 inner celery stalks with their leaves, sliced on the diagonal (about 4 cups)
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Stacy’s recipe insists that unpitted olives are the best for this recipe – but in a time crunch pitted and ready to slice olives will do just fine, which is what I did here. Slice them in half, and put in a bowl. Next, take the inner stalks from a celery bunch, slice them diagonally, including the leaves, and add them to the bowl.

While you can add the dressing right on top of the salad, if you are prepping ahead of time, just make it in a small jar like I did, and when you’re ready to serve, add at the last minute. Combine the olive oil, vinegar, and garlic, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and give it a good stir to evenly distribute all the flavors. For the record, I upped the garlic (like a true Italian) a bit.

As this dish sits it gets even better – the juices combining to create an addictive crunchy little salad.

For more recipes from the dinner, see our feature on Camille Styles! Many of the pieces we used for the feature can be found in the shop at Casa di LaValle.

Styled by Cassandra LaValle. Photography by Michelle Nash for Camille Styles. 

The post Recipe :: Castelvetrano Olive & Celery Salad appeared first on Cassandra LaValle.

Nearly fifteen years ago, I began Coco Kelley as a little side project. The blog was created as an outlet for my love of design. Fast forward to 2022, and I never would have believed my career trajectory would have taken me here. But like all good things… it’s time for this journey to end, and another to begin.

While I’m not ready to close the doors on blogging forever, my focus has truly shifted – or rather, the world around it has shifted. I’m no longer interested in the label of ‘influencer’. And to be honest, I never really was. That title grew organically along with me, and while that role afforded me many an amazing opportunity, eventually I found myself burnt out by the cycle of sponsored posts and the demand of constant content. I felt like I was no longer living my life, but planning my life around what photos opportunities it would provide for me. And, frankly, that’s no way to live. I wanted to create for creation sake. Travel for the love of travel. Cook a beautiful meal for my friends, not just photos. 

In the past few years I asked myself a lot of questions both personal and professional around this question of what I want, and what I learned was that in order to continue to show up here it was time for me to show up authentically. Not a face behind a name, but the face of the name. I’m not Coco. I’m not Kelley. I’m just Cassandra.

I’m also a few other things. 

I’m an Interior Stylist. My greatest passion in life is literally rearranging stuff. Your stuff. My stuff. Finding the ways to arrange that stuff into a story. Did you know that’s a job? It’s my job. It’s amazing. And you can read about how it all works in our Services section.

I’m also a Shop Owner.

Last year, we opened Shop Coco Kelley, which is now Casa di LaValle. It’s my new baby and I’m so proud of how much it’s grown in just over a year. Every day I get to play with, and am surrounded by, beauty. I’m sourcing vintage on the weekends. I’m collaborating with local and international makers. I’m pinching myself that I get to do this. Needless to say, you can expect to see a lot of behind the scenes and inspirational content from the shop around here. I’m so excited for it to evolve. 

The good news for all you blog lovers (or very occasional readers) is that we’ll still be blogging. Just differently! Our content will be shifting, just like our presence here. I’ll be focused on creating original pieces about styling, showing you more of my client projects, and featuring more local house tours, businesses, and makers. We’ll also, of course, be sharing lots of inspiration from the shop, and our favorite design finds, all of which will still be coming to you through our newsletter! So don’t forget to sign up.

This day has a been such a long time coming and it’s bittersweet, but also reinvigorating. I’m so incredibly grateful for those of you who have been on this journey with me, and those who will continue to join me. There’s so much more to come.

The post When One Door Closes appeared first on Cassandra LaValle.

Hey all! If you’re new around here, you may not know that every other month I host a pop-up shop in Seattle at my studio (along with several others) that we call Six Stories; Six because there are six of them throughout the year, and stories because each one tells a new ‘story’. Well, our next one opens this week, on Thursday, with the theme of “Modern Hacienda”….

For each pop-up, I curate items around the theme, and they go live online and in the pop-up shop Thursday at noon. Each curation features new and vintage goods, and I just have to say that this batch of vintage I has some pretty amazing pieces – some of which I’ve featured on this tabletop with items pulled together from the shop!

My favorite part of this table might be the fact that we pulled one of our kantha blankets as the tablecloth. They have so many uses, and this is definitely one of them! The muddy tone makes a perfect backdrop to the pops of black and white combined with earthy tones. This curation will feature plenty of pressed green glass alongside terra cotta, pottery, and other natural materials.

We also have some beautiful vintage lamps that I’ve added custom shades to, and this beauty is my favorite.

Some of these items, like the tapers, napkins, kantha, and dishes, are already up on the site for you to purchase! We always shop in limited quantities so I always encourage getting them while you can!

For more info on the pop-up shop, you can visit the Coco Kelley Shop right here, and be sure to also follow the shop page on instagram for way more sneak peeks and a tour through the shop before we open!!

The post A Peek at Our Next Pop Up Shop Curation :: Modern Hacienda appeared first on Cassandra LaValle.

It goes without saying that cabinets are the foundation of any kitchen remodel. They are the one thing you really don’t want to screw up, the item you are most likely to spend your time agonizing over, and definitely the place where diving into the details really matters. Also – measuring, measuring measuring. It can all be a bit overwhelming, but when they come together and get put into place? The reality of your new kitchen takes shape and it’s the BEST feeling.

After revealing the finished (!!!) remodel of our cellar kitchen yesterday over on Emily Henderson’s blog, I thought it would be fun – and helpful! – to get into more of the thought and design process behind our kitchen cabinets since that’s where most of the comments and questions landed! For me, designing cabinetry can be broken down into three big decisions: 1) Layout 2) Color & Style and 3) Functionality. So, I’m going to go through our process using those three main decision-drivers.

But first off, the most important piece of info: where we got our cabinets.

I worked with Masterbrand Cabinets when we remodeled our entire main floor kitchen with their Omega line a few years back. We had a wonderful experience, so I knew I wanted to work with them again. This time, however, we opted to go with their Diamond Cabinet line which is a bit less custom, and a bit more affordable. Even though our cabinets were sponsored, I wanted to keep things slightly more realistic as far as the type of cabinetry we would potentially choose to remodel a secondary kitchen. This cabinetry also had a shorter lead time, which was awesome.

LAYOUT

When we took an initial look at what this remodel would look like, my husband and I walked through the ways we would use this space to see if there was any big reason to change the current layout of the room. I’m sure many of you know by now that one of the biggest ways to save money on a remodel is keeping the currently layout, so you don’t have to move plumbing, electrical or gas lines around too much. But the fact was that we were going to have to gut the cabinets (they were in awful shape) and replace all the plumbing and electrical which gave us the perfect excuse to change things around! But we didn’t – and here’s why:

This was one of the first rounds of renderings we got from the designer we worked with at MasterBrand based on our preliminary rough measurements and layout requests. From here you can get a better perspective on the space. The door to the right exits to the back yard. If you were renting the apartment, you would come and go from here. Right now, this is the door we use to come and go from the garden. On the the left is an open entry to the living room. On the wall that we are looking out from are two doors: one on the far right that is the entry from the laundry room and stairwell, and one on the left that is a closet. As you can see… it’s a small space and a lot of doors to work around, making the layout options pretty restricted!

I played around a bit with the location of the refrigerator, but ultimately this was the best place for it to go.  The only big change we had initially thought about was adding more cabinets to the left. We went back and forth on if they would be open shelves (as shown here), floor to ceiling cabinetry, etc, and ultimately landed on not doing them at all (I’ll get back to why in a bit!). Here’s more perspective, again from our initial rough renderings, with some of the smaller adjustments.

Most of the choices we made here are pretty basic. Replacing old cabinets with new always brings the option of more functional storage, and we took full advantage of that. The corner unit has pull out, layered storage. We added a combination garbage/recycle pull out to the right of the sink (gotta love hidden garbage vs having it sitting out!), the cabinet under the floating shelves has pull out drawer storage for pots and pans, and of course we’ve got some nice open shelving options too!

It seems like anytime I opt for floating shelves in a kitchen vs. cabinetry there’s a contingency of people who are really unhappy about it. It sort of cracks me up because – honestly – if it works for the home owner, who cares!! But let’s address the top concerns we always hear:

1. Things get too dusty sitting out in the open. As far as I can tell, this very much depends on your home environment. For us specifically, this being a secondary kitchen, yes some things will eventually get dusty as they’re just sitting there, but we’re not really concerned about it. We’ll just wipe them down like we do with everything else in the kitchen. When we have guests, I re-set the shelves with more glassware and coffee mugs, and don’t have any problem with dust. That said, you could definitely flip them over if you’re worried about it. For what it’s worth, the items on our open shelves in our main kitchen seem to stay relatively dust-free, especially on the lower shelves. I give the upppers a good wipe down every month or two.  Honestly… it’s not any more maintenance than anything else in the kitchen, so for us this simply isn’t an issue.
2. You lose so much storage! Yep, you do. Unless you replace it elsewhere! Which we did. We added more storage to several places in the kitchen – above the refrigerator, to the left of the stove, and an entire furniture cabinet against the wall where we ended up not doing the additional cabinetry. So actually… we added MORE storage, and still got the benefit of beautiful open shelves to style.
3. It’s a trend and it won’t last. Wellll… you may be right. Or you may not. Open shelving has been ‘trending’ for a while now and I don’t think it’s going away anytime soon. It helps break up the heaviness of so much cabinetry, allows more light to travel through the space, and its a beautiful spot to display and store items like cookbooks, pottery, glassware, and more. I do think it’s important to ask whether it makes sense for your kitchen. You don’t want to adopt a ‘trend’ just because you like it if it takes away from the functionality!

The bottom line is, if it works for you, and you love it – just do it! That was kind of my entire philosophy for this space actually. Which is the perfect segue to the topic of style!

COLOR & STYLE

When it came to choosing the style of cabinetry, beadboard was always my first inclination. I was inspired by a furniture cabinet piece that I had originally thought about using for the space (which didn’t work out) and had beadboard detail, so the idea just stuck with me. But before I made that call, I decided to focus on the finish. After pulling a lot of inspiration, I knew I wanted to do either a light wood, a creamy white, or a sage green for the cabinet color. Once we knew we were keeping the terra cotta floors, that quickly ruled out wood for me. And while cream would have been just fine, it would also have been the exact same color as our main kitchen, and that felt a bit boring. A quick look at the options offered by Diamond cabinets showed three shades of green: one that was more of a gray with a green undertone (Limestone), one that was a midtone green with quite a bit of blue in it (Seaside), and one that was a classic dark green (Foxhall).

Sadly, neither of the true greens were the right color – both just felt too dark for the space. While the basement may look nice and bright in these photos, I can assure you that it only gets that kind of light about four hours a day … when it’s actually sunny. Any other time of day or year in there and colors feel dark very quickly, and I wanted to keep things feeling light. So the final call was made, and we went with Limestone.

The color itself changes quite a bit in the space throughout the day but I’d say that this image most accurately captures the putty tones, and how much they change in different light!

Some have argued (not wrongly) that the beadboard just doesn’t make sense’ with the tile. Ya’ll. Not much makes sense with this tile. I feel like I’d have had to do a full on dark walnut or a hand built plaster cabinetry for it to make sense with this tile – and neither of those was happening. So I did what I wanted. I chose beadboard because I loved it. It also does make sense with the 1920’s craftsman farmhouse style of the home. So if someone comes along one day and wants to rip out those tiles (God bless them for it) the rest of the kitchen will still make sense.

Also, this is where I started to imagine bringing in the elements I wasn’t getting fro the cabinet in other ways. The green came in through the backsplash and other styling accents. The natural wood came in through the floating shelves and the cabinet we brought downstairs. Choosing the cabinets we did gave me the opportunity to use those elements elsewhere!

FUNCTIONALITY

I told you in the beginning of the post that we’d get back to the reason we didn’t end up adding another cabinet piece here, and – yes – it’s alllll about the functionality of the room. And yes, we’ll talk about some of the other functionality pieces too, but this is a big one because it teaches an important lesson.

So, originally I had thought it would be nice to have a cabinet moment here that also acted as an entryway moment. Part of the challenge with this kitchen is thinking through all the ways it may be used. Not just now, as a secondary cellar kitchen. But a few years (or more) from now when we want to use it as an apartment. Or the in-between times when it’s serving guests. And what I realized was: If this was my full time kitchen I would want the flexibility to use that wall for multiple options. It could easily house some seating and a small table for a breakfast nook. You could bring in a kitchen island that sits against the wall, and pulls out as needed. Or, you could do what we’ve done here, and simply add shelving for more storage.

Those of you who have followed me for a while may recognize this piece as the one we had in our living room for quite some time! It was literally just a few inches too big for the space we had it in, and once I started reimagining other ways to use this wall, it came to me: This cabinet was perfect. It brought in the wood tone I had wanted a dose of and it offered more storage for big items like all my flower vases, and extra entertaining pieces like large bowls and cake plates that don’t really have a spot upstairs. I added the hat rack for my garden hats, and the bench mostly to visually round things out,  but it has become a good spot to plop down items from the garden like gloves and extra pots.

But the biggest lesson here was that thinking through the functionality of this space not only for ourselves, but for future tenants, helped us make a smarter choice.

As for functionality with the cabinets, for me, its something we think about from the very beginning of the process (layout and flow of the space) to the very end of the process (what type of inserts are we putting in the cabinets, and where is each item going to go?). This time around, that process became really different, and it was kind of a relief to not have an exact plan for everything. But the one thing that I’m so glad we did is the open shelving. Not only in the floating shelves but the open shelf in the corner. It’s so helpful when you’re dealing with flowers and veggies to not have to open doors or sift through cabinets to find what you’re looking for. Having the shelves and countertop function as a space to hold vases, flower clippers and shears, pitchers, colanders, you name it…  it makes more sense for us. And when the time comes for a tenant to use the cabinets, I’m pretty sure they’ll be just fine with the options we have.

So there you have it friends. A total breakdown (and maybe more than you really wanted to know!) about the cabinetry process. A HUGE huge thank you to our cabinet sponsor, Masterbrand, and their Diamond cabinet line. From start to finish, they were so helpful in creating the space of my dreams!

The post Our Cellar Kitchen Remodel :: The Three Biggest Decisions When Selecting Cabinetry appeared first on Cassandra LaValle.

This post was created in partnership with Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. 

Over the last year and a half, if there’s one thing I think we’ve all learned, it’s the importance of creating spaces in our homes that support us in different ways. From carving out nooks for productivity, to finding a space to unplug and unwind at the end of the day… the value of either is immeasurable! Today, I’ve partnered with Chateau Ste. Michelle to give you a few quick tips on making a space for the latter – your own little ‘Chateau’ moment, so to speak. A place where you can escape with your favorite glass of wine (needless to say, my current favorite from Chateau Ste Michelle is their rosé!). 

When I think of creating my own chateau, I think of that perfect mix of relaxed and refined. Imagine the way you feel when you’re on vacation… wouldn’t it be nice if there was a spot in your home that recreated that same experience!?  To emulate this feeling, there are a few key elements I use to set the space – or the table. Ready to see how?  I put these steps into action using a corner of our studio to demonstrate how layering and adding detail can quickly transform and transport.

1. Comfort is Key: Not to lead with the ‘boring’ stuff, but sometimes practicality is the most essential ingredient when styling a space. If you’re looking to relax, then you’ve got to create something comfortable! If you’ve got hard chairs – add a cushion! If your escape nook is a corner on the floor – add a cushion! If you’re escaping to a bubble bath… yep, add a cushion! Whatever you do, make sure that you are setting your space up for successful lounging.

Here’s a pro tip from my apartment dwelling days: I love having a pair of chairs or bench that functions perfectly in the living room or dining nook. I would move them around depending on guests or how I was using the space. In our studio we do the same thing – investing in versatile pieces that can work just as well around a table as they do in a conversational layout. Here, I took a bare bench that we already had, added pillows to soften it up and give it a back, and moved a pair of sling chairs over to complete the scene.

2. Layer Your Linens: Whenever a client tells me their room doesn’t feel ‘finished’, it’s typically because they’re missing some layering elements. Linens are game changers. Here, covering a modern marble dining table with a linen tablecloth totally transforms the space and the mood (What says vacation more than a lovely, casual linen fabric!?). But when I say linen here, I also mean it in the broader sense: literally any fabric or textile. A rug, some pillows, a summer blanket, window treatments… all of these items count as the type of linen that elevates any room and finishes it off. When you’re thinking of ways to update a space, linens are a really good place to start.

3. Foraged Florals & Natural Elements: Whether your style is a jungle of plants, or a single potted flower, bringing natural elements into a space is essential to creating a grounding moment. If you haven’t got a green thumb, I’d suggest foraging some flowers from the yard – or the grocery store – over any fake plant options. Or you could try hearty plants like tropicals and succulents that need less maintenance. Here, a potted geranium does the trick for topping the table! I love the movement in this plant, and it happens to smell amazing too!

4. Adding Personal Touches: The final piece in the puzzle when it comes to decorating or styling is one that often gets overlooked or is where people struggle most: bringing in your personality. This element often takes time to curate as it needs to be a piece that reflects you! It could be artwork that speaks to you, a souvenir brought home from travels, or a fun vintage find. In this space, the finishing touch really came from the set of vintage art prints hung on the wall.

Ahhhh, doesn’t that feel GOOD? We went from a very bare corner to the perfect spot to relax at the end of the day, with only a few additional touches! I should mention that keeping the palette neutral and natural also helps create that relaxing ambience… and keeps things easy for decor, too!

Now that we’ve applied these practices to a room, how about we set the table with them too?

We’ve already got the elements of comfort and the layered linen – next step, add nature! I foraged some dogwood from my own tree, and made an abundant centerpiece. I kept it feeling organic by letting the branches create their own wild movement.

Then, we add the finishing personal touches: My favorite gold flatware that feels extra special, block print napkins from India, an antique compote bowl from Italy for snacking, and the vintage vase are all from my personal collection. And now we’re ready for the last step…

5. Wine Time! Now that you’ve created a relaxing little haven for yourself, or friends, it’s time to enjoy it! Pour yourself a rewarding glass of Chateau Ste. Michelle wine in your favorite varietal, and savor the moment!!

While these tips are a good start to get you going in creating your own chateau moment in your home, we’ve got something even better for you. From now through August we’ve partnered with Chateau Ste. Michelle to bring you the chance to win a mood board complete with shoppable styling suggestions from me to give a corner of your home a little makeover! To enter, you can post an image on Instagram or Twitter, or go here to upload a photo of the space you’d like to refresh and turn into a chateau moment. Be sure to use #MyChateauSweeps and tag @ChateauSteMichelle if you enter on Instagram or Twitter. Valid dates of entry 7/20 12:00am PDT through 9/10 11:59pm PDT. And of course you can visit Chateau Ste Michelle online to explore some #MyChateau inspiration and learn more about this Washington State winery.

The post Before & After :: Five Steps to Creating Your own Chateau Moment at Home appeared first on Cassandra LaValle.

Somewhere in the course of the past year, our family switched from eating in the ‘formal’ dining room to our breakfast nook for most meals. Of course, this may have had something to do with the fact that we haven’t exactly been entertaining, but there is something about the ease and convenience of an eat-in kitchen that has become more and more appealing. So my question is – is it possible to have a dining space connected to the kitchen in a way that feels formal enough for guests, and comfortable enough for breakfast? Well, my friends, I think we’ve found it…

The renovation of this 19th century Victorian home, located in Sydney, (done by Smith + Levine) presents many beautiful details, preserved charm, and thoughtful design, but the kitchen – and adjoined dining nook – is by far my favorite room in the house. The way the two spaces transition seamlessly (notice how the backsplash and counter create one continuous line that connects the two!), while still having a hint of separation in the doorway is simply perfection. The two spaces also featured different ceiling treatments, and the dividing wall allows for that to happen without it feeling awkward.

But it’s the custom curved island that really tops things off for me as far as the kitchen goes. Mark my words, this is a trend that we’ll be seeing more of!

The traditional ogee edge and the use of different materials from the rest of the kitchen (brass hardware and oak!) lend to the furniture style of this piece, giving it the feel of a repurposed antique while being able to customize it to the space.

The cabinets, on the other hand, are painted Dulux ‘Heifer’ and make a lovely compliment to the oak while the modern edge matches the clean lines of the rest of the kitchen. The mix of traditional and new in every space in the house is really lovely.

In the dining room, I love that the chose a contrasting darker wood finish for the table and chairs, along with the dark leather bench. It brings a bit of sophistication to the room while breaking up the sea of oak. The way the bench is built into the wall with more storage is also quite fantastic and functional.

As for the rest of the house… well, it’s got plenty of gorgeous architecture and details for you to bookmark.

I always love an antique piece of furniture like this – especially in the entryway – to set the tone for a home. The massive mirror really fills the wall and creates the illusion of more space in the entry. It’s a bit on the large side for me, but I appreciate the way it functions. Also, if you look closely you can see that the front door is painted a lovely shade of green – wish we could have seen more of that little detail!

A secondary entry – which I’m guessing may be via the carport – exists through the laundry room, where more practical storage awaits. The bench top being a stone surface is so smart, as I imagine wet coats dripping onto the surface.

The living room is, sadly, my least favorite space. The furnishings are quite modern and the styling a bit cold for my taste, although it does look comfy. It’s tucked into a more narrow back section of the home, and I wish it had a few more antique accents or details to it.

The bathrooms in the home are also more on the modern side, but the tiles are so gorgeous, I don’t really mind! There is the use of more traditional hardware fixtures to help balance it out, and I also adore the curved backsplash detail on the marble behind the sink!

The custom details of the built in bench and the paneling behind the headboard in the main bedroom are nice touches. Again, though, I find myself wishing for a few more elements that reflect the warmth of the kitchen and dining room. To be fair, some of this could be the editing of these photos where the subtle creams in the linen bedding aren’t quite coming through. I do see how keeping these details uniform in color helps create one cohesive space, but one could also argue that it all sort of blends together. Which would you prefer??

Here in the closet we do finally get a dose of some more wood in what looks to be the shoe storage area. I’d take this entire closet situation with all that natural light!

And then finally, we have the main bath. My goodness, this house has so many windows!! I always take note when designers come up with clever ways to float mirrors over windows, as it can be such a help in problem solving layout issues when designing bathrooms. I think it’s very well done here where the scale of the mirror mimics a slightly smaller version of the windows.

I also very much enjoy the mix of tile on the walls with the addition of a more creamy tone for warmth. Do I sound like a broken record yet?

Overall, I think the renovations to this home were a lovely improvement! I think we all know that I veer a bit more organic and classic than some of the rooms featured here, but that won’t stop me from appreciating what the designers and owners created. For more details on the home, the process and the designers, you can reference the original article on Home Beautiful.

The post House Tour :: A Renovated Modern Victorian with The Most Gorgeous Kitchen appeared first on Cassandra LaValle.

Hello dear friends, and happy summer!! I realize it’s been nearly two months since a blog post here, which certainly wasn’t my intention when I decided to take a bit of a break back in April. The past few months have flown by, and when I realized it was July and I’d yet to check in on here, I thought it high time I give you all a life update before resuming our regular content (yay!).

After our last pop-up shop in April, I really needed a reset. The energy with which I was running head-first into a post-quarantine world was – obviously – unsustainable. I had vastly underestimated the amount of daily work, input, socialization and hustle my body and brain were now capable of.  After a year of rebalancing and prioritizing, I should have known better, but old habits die hard, right? Especially when you’re excited about new projects, like I have been about the shop. It was hilarious to think that I, or any of us, would be able to just hit the resume button on life, and I found myself exhausted by the go go go.

This fatigue seems to be real for many of us. On one hand, we’re so ready to stop living in our bubbles, get off our screens, and get back to tangible reality. For me, that exact feeling made spending time online unfulfilling and not really where I wanted to be – hence my absence here. On the other hand, the return to a busier schedule, seeing friends and family, and the expectation of working the way we used to is just unrealistic. So, in the last month, I’ve found myself setting new boundaries. Saying no to some hang outs. Turning down bits of work. Giving myself a bit more time to figure out what this new pace looks like. And I’ve come to some conclusions.

Anyone who is an entrepreneur knows the joys (sarcasm) of playing the role of CEO, COO, CFO, Marketing Director, Email Returner, Book Balancer… everything down to Errand Runner. I have been operating this blog and this business mostly on my own for 14 years (our anniversary was in May!), and during that time I’ve explored so much more than simply creating content here. I’ve been a market editor, merchandiser, and interior designer. I’ve collaborated on supper clubs, ran co-working spaces (still do!), and styled product on sets for the likes of Amazon and Starbucks. I’ve thrown so many events that I’ve lost track, and I’ve done all of it while also running this beautiful online space.

Looking at this very full list makes me simultaneously proud and completely exhausted! I’m so glad I took the opportunities that came my way when they did, while exploring a variety of creative careers. Each one of them helped me to clarify my path, and made me who I am today. Along with that, this past year or so finally provided the space I needed to take a step back and refocus on the future of this blog and this business. While I’ve known for a while now that changes needed to happen, I’ve finally started taking steps in the direction of those changes, many of which you’ll see coming to fruition this fall! So what lies ahead? Here’s a quick peek, which much more to come…

New Branding & Website: The biggest news I have to share is that I’ve started working on a completely new look and feel for not only the blog but the overall brand. We’ll be combining this site with the shop and my services to create a more cohesive experience that’s easy to explore and navigate. I’m SO incredibly excited for this on a variety of levels, and I hope it gets you excited too! The new site will feel so much more aligned with where I’m at personally and aesthetically.

The Shop:  The shop will be moving into a focus a bit more, as that’s the space bringing me the most joy lately. It’s been a refreshing addition to my repertoire, and I’ve so enjoyed the thrill of treasure hunting for vintage goods, curating items from my favorite artisans, and having fun with the themed pop-up shops here in Seattle. My past experience in merchandising taught me how much I love creating experiences for people, while supporting community, and thats how I’ve approached this new space. Will we se a brick and mortar shop sometime soon, too?? Stay tuned!

The Blog: I will continue to post to the blog, but it will be taking more of a backseat in that posts will likely be only once a week. I want to be bringing more intentional, inspirational posts back to this space with mostly original content focused around the same topics we’ve always loved to share with you: interior styling, home tours, local highlights, recipes, travel, and personal posts. We will be sprinkling in some more shop content, too – sharing our favorite items, events, and more.

Styling Services: While I’ve loved the time spent with interior design clients, I’ve learned that my passion and strengths lay in the details, and not the bigger picture.  A fact that should surprise no one! So, while I will be partnering with a few fellow designers around Seattle to take on larger projects here and there, the only service I’ll be offering directly to clients is interior styling. What I love about this element of the design process is that it’s where we get to tell the story of the homeowners. Adding in character through vintage finds, artwork, and finishing touches. And of course, tackling trouble spots like huge built-in bookshelves, or awkward corners. I’ll be adding more info on this soon, with more flushed out packages and offerings come fall! We’ll also be offering this service for businesses in the hospitality industry like restaurants, hotels, or wineries looking to refresh their spaces.

So there you have it friends – SO much good stuff on the horizon! I’m finally feeling re-energized and aligned with the direction that things are going around here, and I can’t wait to share more of the process with you. I hope you”ll stay along for the ride!

The post July Musings :: Back to Business (And a Life Update!) appeared first on Cassandra LaValle.

It’s barely been a month since we finished the renovation of our basement, but I’m already thinking about the next big project: our attic! Currently a completely unfinished space, we’re going to tackle this one in phases. First, the roof has to be replaced, which is happening in June. After that, we plan on adding the basics: new electrical, insulation, walls, and – my favorite bit – flooring.

When I think about our attic, all I can imagine up there is gorgeous, wide planks running the entire length of the space. So, I turned to Carlisle Wide Plank Floors for some direction and inspiration…

White Oak flooring from Carlisle Wide Plank Floors in Heirloom grade with brushed texture. Designer: John Guidi | Photography: Gieves Anderson

White Oak flooring in Heirloom grade with brushed texture.

First let’s talk about what’s currently in our home. Most of our living space is filled with 2″ planks that are likely oak or pine. I’m not quite sure of the age, but they are definitely due for a refinishing (or possibly replacing!). When we did our kitchen remodel a few years back, we selected flooring to match the current tone, but a bit wider at 5″. I had really wanted to do wide plank then, but if felt like such a huge leap between the 2″ and the 8″ that I didn’t have the guts to take the risk.

But now, the attic gives us the opportunity to do whatever we want! And maybe set the tone for the future if and when we replace the hardwoods on the main floor someday. So let’s look at some options shall we??

My initial instinct when thinking about the flooring for upstairs was that I’d want to stick with the oak look, but with a more natural style, really similar to something like this home! Featuring a beautiful 8″ heirloom white oak, I love the matte finish and custom stain. You can see how it feels a bit warmer in the living room space, while here in the dining room it feels cooler compared to the chairs. As someone who likes to use a lot of natural wood in my decor, I enjoy a flooring that can complement other wood tones like this one does!

But when I started diving into all the gorgeous plank options offered at Carlisle, I realized that I was also drawn to some of the darker tones. Suddenly I found myself wondering… did I want something warmer or cooler? Lighter, or darker? What type of grain and how much variation am I into?

‘Regur’ from the newly launched Earthen Collection from Carlisle Wide Plank Floors

Carlisle floors are handcrafted, one board at a time, making their quality and finish unparalleled. And making me reconsider some woods and finishes that I hadn’t before, as I’ve never seen them done so well! 

A prime example? This flooring, which is actually a hickory and produces more variation, is part of the Earthen Collection, in ‘Regur’ finish. Typically, I don’t love too much variation in flooring, but in this slightly darker and cooler stain, the variations are not as pronounced and actually produce such a lovely organic feel.

Walnut flooring from Carlisle Wide Plank Floors

Due to the grain variations, I’m not always a fan of walnut either. But I’ve also never seen it done in a wide plank like this. And WOW! I absolutely love it and the warmth it exudes in this home! Since I decorate with a lot of lighter wood furnishings, I could see how having a nice mid-tone wood with warmth can lend some grounding to a space.

Because Carlisle offers so many beautiful finishes, I thought it might be easier for me to pull out my favorites and start to see how they stack up!

Flooring shown in image at top is from the Urban Collection in ‘Granite Dream’

Because the rest of our home features warmer toned flooring, I hadn’t really explored the option of a cooler tone, and I have to say… I’m really loving some of these. Often we see ‘gray’ toned woods done in a way that feels quite fake, but these finishes feel incredibly natural. You can also see how the variation in the grain can play such a big part in the stain you are drawn to as it can feel more pronounced or subdued. Personally, I’ve noticed that when it comes to cooler wood tones, I’m much more drawn to the darker selections! Here I’m loving ‘Stone Hearth’ and ‘Marble Table’.

Flooring shown in image at top is ‘Forest Path’ from the Traditional Collection

Conversely, with the warmer tones, I’m drawn to lighter finishes! ‘Lenox Hill’ definitely has my vote, and I also love ‘Treehouse’.  These would compliment our current flooring on the main floor well. But, remember how I mentioned mid-tones earlier when talking about the walnut? Both ‘Winding Path’ and ‘Forest Path’ are in that same realm and ones that I normally wouldn’t have considered, but am now definitely drawn to as a way to mix things up a bit in the house!

Decisions, decisions!! What direction would you go now if you could select entirely new floors for your home?? It’s such a foundational piece to a room, but also something that we don’t often get to select! I’m really excited to consider some different possibilities for this project now that I’ve seen how beautiful they can be.

You can see more beautiful wide plank flooring options from Carlisle at www.wideplankflooring.com.  

The post The Gorgeous Wide Plank Floors (And the Many Tones!) We’re Considering for our Next Remodel appeared first on Cassandra LaValle.

When it comes to house tours, sometimes I like to save the best part for last. But in the case of this fabulous beach house designed by Tamsin Johnson, I had to lead with my favorite part of the home, as it’s perhaps the best display of chic, restrained beach house whimsy that I have ever seen.

This indoor/outdoor room is literal perfection with its sparse furnishings, and an ideal mix of modern lines with classic beach materials and decor. And, of course, that palm tree! But the real cherry on top for me is the hilarious wicker fish light pendants, combined with crabs crawling on the wall behind the bar…

Because the rest of the space is so clean and minimal, this kitchy beach house decor totally works for me here!! I think I easily could have just shared this space with you all, and called it a day, but there’s much more goodness to be had, so let’s dive into the rest of the house, shall we?

So, I have to say upfront that some of the interiors here are a bit more fussy than I typically enjoy. While I love most of the pieces, there are some elements that feel a bit too formal for me (for a beach house, especially!) and one of them is the over-use of pillows in this first living room (yes, I said first, because there are like… three total at least.) For someone who loves loves pillows, this is saying a lot.

What I do love is the rope trim on the sofa, and even the fringe feels like a fun nod to the nautical! But paired with masses of pillows not only on the sofa but every other seating surface … it’s overkill for me. so I’m choosing to imagine the chairs and cane settee without them – and maybe a couple less on the sofa. Doesn’t it feel a bit more airy now? At least in your head?

I also highly approve of that cute little accent stool, and the drama coming out of that breakfast nook behind … I can’t believe there’s not a single photo of that space on its own, because I would love another look. I adore that plaster pendant. Side note: the stone on the fireplace has a retro vibe, and I’m into it.

On the other side of the room is the formal dining space, and I adore how Tamsin used this trio of lights together as an unexpected moment. They feel a bit like candy colored jellyfish to me!? They’re definitely helping to lighten the mood around that heavy table!

Now off to the kitchen we go…

I spy with my stylist’s eye, a collection of Italian ceramic jars that I would desperately like for myself!! It’s a much-needed old world accent amongst this modern take on a Mediterranean style kitchen. But I do love how fresh and bright it all is! And, can we talk about those custom knobs on the big doors?? Gorgeous. I’m assuming one is as pantry and the other the refrigerator.

Now here comes the tricky part of this house tour because… the house is so big that the rest of the rooms are sort of a jumble to me! I usually like to walk you through a house in an order that makes sense, but we’re just gonna have to go for it with this one!

I’m guessing there may be a guest quarters somewhere, though, because there is another kitchen. 

I love the colors in here and the way the green marble melts into the green cabinetry! The rest of the choices are a bit too cold for me, but I certainly wouldn’t be disappointed to have this kitchen on vacation. I’ll pretend it belongs to this dining and living room…

This bedroom…

And this bath…

By the way – I think Tamsin does bathrooms better than most…

And now a quick peek at the main bedrooms…

These nightstands are not my jam, but I will absolutely take everything else, especially that view! And I am definitely into the cheerful pink in the second bedroom…

But mostly, I’d happily just lounge my day away right here, with a view of the sea.

The post House Tour :: This Palm Beach Home Injects a Bit of Seaside Whimsy appeared first on Cassandra LaValle.

Seattle friends – mark your calendars! Our spring pop-up shop is coming, April 22nd – 24th at our studio! I’m so excited about this one – it feels like every time these just get better and better!

April’s pop up will be celebrating spring with our “In the Garden” theme! We’ll be paying homage to spring flowers with artist Carolina Silva and her beautiful floral adorned ceramics…

And worshipping the return of the sun with Meghan Klein‘s suncatchers which she is debuting at our pop up!

And of course Neon Doves and I will be featuring all of our usual home goods, along with gardening tools, pots, flowers, and more!!

For those of you in Seattle, feel free to make your shopping appointment right here, or come on by the studio April 22nd -24th! Those of you elsewhere, or who can’t make it in to shop, we’ll be adding all of our spring collection to the online shop as well. Stay tuned this week for some more sneak peeks and we’ll see you soon!

The post Our April Pop Up Shop Is Coming! appeared first on Cassandra LaValle.

If I had to choose one plant to add to your potting list this year, hands down it’s the Geranium.

While other cultures (from Scandinavian to Italian) have embraced this deliciously scented classic for decades or longer, here in the States, it’s always been seen as a bit of a ‘common’ flower. But thanks to the surge in cottage-inspired interiors (aka cottagecore!), and the plant’s associations with this style, the Geranium is finding new fandom as of late.

I credit my love of this flower to John Derian, who perfectly showcases how lovely and wild these blooms can be…

(via domino)

Until seeing his leggy versions of this usually pruned houseplant, I had no idea they could wind and climb this way! There are also so many more varieties than I’d previously realized. Recently I got my hands on a scented geranium – this one smells like nutmeg – but they come in all sorts of scents like rose, peppermint, apple, and more. The scented geraniums appear more like the one below, with completely different types of leaves.

Another gent to follow for geranium content is Carlos Garcia…

I love how most people stick to potting their geraniums in classic terra cotta planters! Here, Carlos has them clustered in an entryway table, and I love seeing the different styles all together. Regular geraniums also have an incredible earthy scent (it’s one of my favorites!) and I can imagine how wonderful this grouping smells as it greets guests.

But perhaps the most impressive of Carlos’ collection is this giant beauty…

I can’t wait until mine start growing this crazy!

Another benefit to these beauties is their gorgeous variegated leaves that create visual interest all on their own. I love the way that Jack Laver Brister has them scattered throughout his home.

Regardless of size, type or scent, geraniums are hearty and easy to take care of, so a good flower to consider if you fail with finicky plants. Plus, they make such a lovely statement in front of a sunny window, like James Coviello has here. (Sidenote, I’m obsessed with this trim color!) 

Are you convinced you need some geraniums in your life, yet? I’ve been collecting a variety of them to sell at our next pop up shop – complete with terra cotta pots, of course, so if you’re in Seattle, mark your calendars for April 22nd-24th, and come on by to get your fix!

The post Everything’s Coming Up… Geraniums! appeared first on Cassandra LaValle.

There is no happier moment for me in spring than when all the fruit trees in our yard start blooming!! I love snipping branches to bring into the house, rearranging everything in sight to feature these beauties. While we tend to place larger branches like these on dining tables, kitchen counters and mantels, I thought I’d show you how to style them into your coffee table this year.

Let’s start with the main feature: the branches. Here’s a quick tip: I like to snip branches that have a bit more of an interesting shape to them. See how the one on the left curves a bit? It adds some nice organic flow to the shape of the arrangement. Using a lower, wide vase or pitcher, start arranging, the branches one by one. It’s all about keeping things imperfect, so don’t fuss with it too much! Just leave space for other objects to live under the arrangement. If you have trouble keeping the branches in place, I recommend a large flower frog for the bottom of your pitcher.

Next, we add a few elements – always in an odd number! If you have a smaller coffee table, you could do three of these, rather than five! A round marble tray, and stack of books are always a winning combo! When mixing objects, you want to be conscious of shape (square angles vs round), height (always good to have a variety!), and flow (do the objects invite your eye to move through them all?).

Here, I started with the marble tray as the largest elements. I added pillar candles for a bit of height which helps connect the eye from the tall branches to the lower elements on the table. To balance this ‘heavier’ element on the right, a nice stack of books on the left. Notice how we introduced a new shape here in the rectangles!

Once I had those larger elements, I hunted around the house for some pieces that would work with the palette and style I had started. One of my favorite tricks is to fill a vintage wood bowl with glass beads. (Side note: I have a whole post dedicated to why I love beads as a styling tool!) Here, I chose white with a soft pink to bring out the color of the blossoms! Beads bring such a nice organic movement to the setting.

Lastly, I added the single book. This element took me a few tries (even seasoned stylists have to play around to find the perfect fit!). I wanted another square element here, and didn’t necessarily want another tray. But it looked silly on its own. Considering the book as its own styling surface I added three (always odd!) simple elements to give it its own moment. A tiny vase filled with more blossoms, a matchbook (makes sense with the candles!) and a favorite rock (yes that’s a thing!) in a soft green.

Lastly, I went around and did some final layering. I added more rocks in with the candles, to fill in the tray a bit and also to tie in to the other rock. I topped the stack of books with a vintage brass dish containing seashells and another matchbook. You could also use coasters, or other practical elements here! I like to find boxes or trays that perfectly fit my TV remote, for example.

What do you think about these pieces all together? I can’t wait to recreate another setting like this one as soon as our blossoms pop!

The post How to Style Your Coffee Table for Spring appeared first on Cassandra LaValle.