The Style Files: Cassandra Lavalle

If you read design blogs on a regular basis and you don’t know Cassandra Lavalle from coco + kelley, you may be living under a rock. Cassie is the consummate blogger, featuring an interesting variety of topics from interior design and fashion to fun table settings. Readers aren’t the only ones who have taken notice of Cassie’s talents. She has been featured in several publications including House Beautiful, Lucky, The New York Times, and Lonny. To say that she is a busy girl might be a bit of an understatement! Cassie divides her time as an interior and event stylist and as the full-time editor of her wildly successful blog.

Name: Cassandra LaValle

Occupation: Interior & Event Stylist, Editor of coco+kelley

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Current City: Seattle, WA

{Cassie Pictured at Home for Loft Life Magazine}

LDV: What inspired you to begin your career in design?

CL: I've always had a passion and intuition for design - beginning a career doing what I love just seemed like a natural path for me!

LDV: What do you love most about it? What is the most challenging aspect?

CL: The fact that every project is different is both a challenge and a blessing. I love the opportunities I have to be creative in different ways whether it's designing for a client or styling for a photo shoot. I find my biggest challenge to be the pressure I put on myself to create a space that really reflects my client's needs and style by producing a design that they'll still be happy and comfortable with a few years down the road.

LDV: Where do you find inspiration?

CL: I find loads of inspiration in magazines, books and blogs, but it's the times that I get out and travel or go to an art show or discover a new shop that I find most inspiring. It's rejuvenating. I also love to look to the past to find new ways to interpret old classic pieces, patterns or looks.

{Rachel Bilson Via}

LDV: Who are some of your personal style icons?

CL: It's funny because it's rare that I latch on to one person as an icon of style. Many times I find myself drawn to a single collection or home of a designer rather than the person themselves. I do adore the personal style of Rachel Bilson and Camilla Belle.

LDV: How would you describe your own style?

CL: Effortless glamour. I'm drawn to simple, classic lines and styles, but I like them to be easy and comfortable too. I think it's a refined west coast mentality.

{Image via Lonny}

LDV: What is the trait you most admire in a person?

CL: Generosity.

{The Tabletop at Cassie’s Recent 30th Birthday Celebration}

LDV: What is your principal weakness?

CL: Anything that sparkles.

{Image via Lonny}

LDV: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

CL: Trust yourself.

{An Inspiration Board Created for a coco + kelley Client}

LDV: What do you consider your greatest achievement?

CL: So far it's starting my own company. I hope the greatest is yet to come!

LDV: What is your idea of living “la dolce vita”?

CL: An unlimited travel budget, sunshine and a pool (or ocean).

Bloom: Peony

Food: Fresh Sashimi

Drink: Champagne

Thing to Wear: A big cocktail ring

{“Capri Bay” by Slim Aarons}

Destination: Capri

Season: Early Fall

Meal: Anything prepared by my dad - he's an amazing cook.

Musician: David Gray

{Red, Orange, Tan, and Purple by Mark Rothko, 1949}

Artist: I love so many for different reasons! Rothko, Chagal, David Hockney... the list goes on.

Film: Gone With the Wind

Television Show: I can't remember the last time I had time for TV!

Book: Little Women

Magazines: Pick a stack, any stack...

Blogs:  The top few blogs that make my day right now are are The Glamorai, {oh joy!} and delight by design

Texture: Linen

Fabric or Pattern: Right now I'm loving retro florals for pattern.

Color: Kelly Green, of course!

Scent: Jasmine - the real thing, not in perfumes or candles.       

Extravagance: Lazy days.

Quote: The one on the bottom of my blog: "In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different." - coco chanel