This Women-Only Coworking Space in Seattle Is Just About Pretty Enough to Live In
Jackson St. Studio is a sophisticated workspace shared by an inspiring group of female entrepreneurs.
When Cassandra LaValle, founder of Coco Kelley and The Emerald Studio—a lifestyle brand and an interior/event styling studio, respectively—first set eyes on a two-room office in a historic building in downtown Seattle’s Pioneer Square, it was a perfect match.
And not just for LaValle. The space would make for the ideal multi-use coworking office for a collective of seven female entrepreneurs, called Jackson St. Studio, which was founded by LaValle and Chloe Csadenyi-Benson, an interior and architectural designer who runs Gather Seattle.
The office had previously housed an architecture firm that had implemented a high-contrast palette of white brick walls and black-painted trim and flooring. "Aesthetically, our two goals with the interior were to bring a little warmth to the black and white space with materials like wood and leather, and to keep the palette neutral in every way," says LaValle.
Ellie Lillstrom
"The idea was to curate a group of like-minded women entrepreneurs into a studio in where we could work together side-by-side to collaborate and lift each other up," says LaValle. "We all come from creative fields within the ‘lifestyle’ arena, and our skills overlap and complement each other wonderfully."
There are three private workstations, as well as a conference table that can seat 14. The latter can provide laptop space for those who are just dropping by for a few hours, or be staged for photo shoots and workshops.
Ellie Lillstrom
The workstations are outfitted with chic pieces from Room & Board, including the Lira Leather Dining Chair, Pratt Modern Desk, and Nolo Table Lamp.
Ellie Lillstrom
The women in the collective work across the spectrum of creative fields, from architectural and graphic design, to public relations and photography. "Jackson St. Studio has been instrumental to me in my recent move to Seattle," says Lauren Essl, founder of Blue Eye Brown Eye, a graphic design and calligraphy studio. "Being plugged into this group of women entrepreneurs right away has provided me with a great network not only for work connections, but also in friendship."
A coworking space like the studio fosters professional connection and alleviates financial burden. "Sharing a space also allows us to afford a space in Seattle, despite the growing rents here," LaValle says. "We find it not only inspiring to be around each other, but essential, too. Having this space has enabled all of us to expand our businesses, and we’re all incredibly grateful for it."
At the conference area, a Pratt Conference Table from Room & Board is surrounded by the Versus chair from Article. The wall artwork is by the Seattle–based Jennifer Ament.
Ellie Lillstrom
The kitchen area was originally an open entryway with a pair of chairs, says LaValle. "It was lovely, but nobody used it. We quickly decided to turn it into a kitchenette and moved the entrance and lounge area to the other side of the space."
Ellie Lillstrom
The kitchen unit combines an oak base with a marble counter, and was custom made by local furniture maker Walnut x Oak. "While we worked with Room & Board and Article to furnish the majority of the space, it was also important to us to use local vendors and artists in decorating," says LaValle.
Ellie Lillstrom
LaValle worked with a good friend and colleague Sarah Hurt of Seattle Art Source to find pieces for the studio, many of them by local artists. In a corner of the kitchen, a piece by the Portland, Oregon–based Mia Farrington hangs above a Daewoo fridge and trashcans by Brabantia.
Ellie Lillstrom
A black storage cabinet from Article, the Oscuro, hides the printer, office supplies, and wine. It’s topped with the Perimeter Table Lamp from Blu Dot, and joined by an IKEA bench and photography from Joann Edmonds.
Ellie Lillstrom
In the lounge area, the Clyde leather sofa from Blu Dot is joined by a Wayfair magazine rack and Saarinen side table.
Ellie Lillstrom
Perhaps the biggest advantage to sharing the studio space is being able to avoid the isolation of the average cubicle. "I always find myself leaving the studio endlessly inspired," says photographer Ellie Lillstrom. "Whether it’s after a collaborative chat with one of my talented office mates, or at the end of a full-day shoot in the space with it’s perfectly balanced natural light, I leave filled to the brim with new, exciting ideas."
Such is why the typical workday here is anything but: "With so much creativity in our space, there’s really no ‘average’ day," says LaValle.
Related Reading: Casework Transforms an Industrial Building Into a Sleek, Contemporary Workspace
Project Credits:
Interior Design: Coco Kelley / @coco.kelley
Other Company: Gather Seattle
Photography: Ellie Lillstrom
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Workplace & Office