How to Make a House Feel Like a Home, According to the Founders of Canyon Coffee

For anyone with a healthy coffee habit, the key word is ritual. Ally Walsh and Casey Wojtalewicz, partners and cofounders of Southern California’s Canyon Coffee, see the rituals that surround coffee as means of connecting to one another, and they say these processes have a way of "adding beauty and warmth to daily life." Of course, like any habit, a measured approach is best.

Now with their first child, Ally and Casey are settling into a new house, and decorating has been a similarly deliberate process. "We prefer to let special furniture and pieces come to us," they say. But while they wait for the universe to provide, the items below were no-brainers in getting the ball rolling toward a warm, inviting home filled with intention.

"We love the warm, soft glow and one-of-a-kind feel of the Akari lights by Isamu Noguchi. The name, Akari, translates to light as illumination, but also invokes the idea of weightlessness."

"The Always Pan is true to its name. Since getting ours, we use it multiple times a day! It’s a very thoughtfully designed nonstick pan, and we appreciate the tasteful color options."

"We were fans of Bathing Culture before we even tried their soap— for their branding, their eco-consciousness, and the way they embody Northern California. But as it turns out, we’d be fans of them for the scent and quality of their soap alone! We started a subscription. Win-win."

"With a new home and baby on the way, it was time for us to size up our mattress. We went with the Avocado Vegan Mattress, and are so grateful we did, because we have been sleeping so well ever since. (Yes, even with a newborn!) We also kept it in-house and went with Avocado’s City bed frame to simplify the whole bed search."

"We’re really proud and grateful to work with amazing ceramics artists for Canyon Coffee. Monica Galan is one of our favorites! Based in Highland Park, she always keeps a beautiful selection of mugs, bowls, vases, and art pieces on her online shop." 

"Beautiful new, these mills only get better with age as they’re used and worn in, making them an investment we’ve never looked back on. They’re simple but special additions to our kitchen that elevate the feel, and they’re probably the most often remarked about (and complimented) by guests!"

"We love the warmth of lighting water on our stove every morning for our coffee ritual. This kettle, made by Kaico in Japan, is an expertly crafted enamel kettle built to stand the test of time."

"Being in the specialty coffee industry, we also have an appreciation for the speed and precision of to-the-degree electric kettles! Fellow has been around for a few years, and they have really won us over with their Stagg EKG electric kettle. Its simple design is very intuitive and easy to use."

"This quilt has brought a whole new level of coziness to our nights and mornings! Sonny (our newborn boy) loves lying on it and watching the morning light rise while mom and dad try to catch a few more minutes of sleep."

"We’re big fans of the two-level design of these end tables, which enable us to keep books and other accessories stashed below for a cleaner top—which makes the room feel a little calmer. They’re also super affordable compared to similar products!"

"We’d be remiss not to include the coffee-brewing ritual that started it all for us! We love the Chemex for its timeless glass-and-wood design and the smooth, delicious coffee it brews. In this set, we pair an eight-cup coffee maker with filters and a bag of Canyon, so you have everything you need to start your own morning pour over ritual."   

"While the mindfulness of the pour over ritual has been at the heart of Canyon, we also have a special affinity for the patient practice of cold brew! This cold brew bottle, made by the glass experts at Japan-based Hario, adds beauty and ease to your home cold brew ritual." 

"We strive to purchase organic products whenever possible, and Baina’s thick cotton towels are a no-brainer! We also appreciate their affinity for ritual, and that they’re a fellow women-founded company."

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