Name: Rachelle Schwartz and Emily Owen
Location: Southern California
Company: Wiley Valentine
What is your aesthetic? A new approach to all things vintage. We pride ourselves on offering a wide array of styles, and adore working with brides to create something completely custom as well. We definitely have a mix of modern and vintage.
How does your studio style convey your professional aesthetic? I think our studio has a warm, homey feel to it. In the professional world we have established great relationships with retailers, brides and our employees. I would say our work environment is very fun, playful, we are like a big family. We all eat lunch together each day, laugh and sing all day. It’s important to keep things light and fun especially when things can get stressful and very busy.
Favorite part of your studio? I love the office I share with Emily. It has a comfy couch, a vintage chandelier and book shelves stocked with vintage books. I also love our inspiration boards!
Where do you go for inspiration? Vintage books, photographs, nature, travel. Sometimes i just need a good hike outdoors to clear my head and allow for the new ideas to flow in. I also have a book filled with collaged pages from old magazines. It provides a fabulous inspiration boost.
What tool do you use in your business that you can’t live without? My bagasse notebooks from staples. It sounds simple but they are eco friendly notebooks made from sugar cane waste and I fill them with my ideas, daily tasks etc. I also can’t live without my iphone.
Is there anything you’d upgrade to? I would LOVE an ipad. It’s not like I really NEED one, it’s just so fabulous. And I would love a new office chair.
Anything else we should know? I (Rachelle) am expecting my first child in June! Very excited to become a mother. Always open to suggestions from other working moms on how to juggle the two though!
[images from Wiley Valentine]