Laundry Day’s Vic Ashley Accessorizes Her Barcelona Home With Luxury Smokeware

"I guess I'm pretty impulsive," says Laundry Day founder Vic Ashley, of moving to Barcelona from her home country of Canada after a single visit to Europe. (She does mention that a dual Irish citizenship made the move more feasible.) "Even starting a business, I think you have to be that way, to not be afraid of the risks. For me, if I'm inspired by something, I'll just do it and ask questions later." 

Having an all-in attitude has been working out well for Ashley, who launched her design-centric smokeware brand in 2018 after turning to cannabis as a sleep aid and for pain relief following IUD complications. "I had finally decided to take ownership of how this plant was really helping me. I was gonna stop smoking my boyfriend's pipe and get my own. [But after driving] three hours to buy myself a pipe at a head shop, I was mortified. I ended up spending money on something I hated, and I felt really embarrassed about the whole situation," she says. So, naturally, she created her own.

In stark contrast to the swirly stoner-y pieces you might remember from your youth, Ashley's pipes are beautiful glass trinkets that also function as smoking vessels. In the core collection are pipes in the shape of a cube, a disc, and a three-step staircase. The aluminum grinders are designed to be tabletop accessories. Even the hemp-blend rolling papers are handcrafted from edible 24K white gold for a smooth, almost luxurious experience. 

"I think, what would be a cute object for me to have on my shelf? How can I create this in a way that is unconventional but still has all of the necessary functions?" Ashley says of her design process. "I really honor my home space and my health so that's what prompted the idea of Laundry Day. It’s about rethinking our relationships with the objects that we own." 

Ashley, having moved into an apartment in the Sant Antoni neighborhood less than a year ago, has been finessing her interior aesthetic with what works best for her WFH lifestyle. "I'm always trying to find this balance between a space that feels productive, almost industrial in a way, versus something that feels warm and cozy and welcoming. I wanna be able to sit down on my computer and get work done, but then two feet away from me I can lay down and nap." 

To achieve that desired home-office hybrid look, Ashley loves the harshness of materials like stainless steel and aluminum juxtaposed with the softness of dimmable lightbulbs, puffy chairs, and mohair blankets. "We are at the core a smokeware brand but my focus right now is to develop more in the home space. We have a really beautiful storage system in the works; don't be surprised if you see some lighting or scent in the future. Everything has to do with the ambiance," she says of where Laundry Day is headed. "Even my recommendations list is sensory: the lighting, the sound, the touch. These are things that are super important to me."

"I’m super sensitive to lighting and these bulbs are perfect for adjusting throughout the day and into the evening."

"The fluffiest towels I’ve ever owned. I love to mix and match the towels to add a little character in the bathrooms. They also have a playful yet subtle collection of bedding. A little something for everyone."

"I had the opportunity to visit the Frama HQ in Copenhagen last summer. I’m really inspired by their commitment to quality and timeless designs."

"My first piece from Alvaro which sparked my interest in collaborating with him on our own design. I love the minimal design and industrial elements of the piece."

"The first ashtray from Laundry Day that we just launched. This piece acts as an art object to complement the space but functional for whenever needed."

"Teenage Enginering provides incredible sound throughout the space without compromising on design. I personally own the Stig Carlson OD-11 design, but all models are incredible."

"The coziest home scent for fall and winter."

"An item I use daily!"

"This line was developed by Merge, a shop I co-launched in 2015 which has since gone on to produce beautiful and high-quality inhouse lines inspired by the west coast. The Solstice Hair & Body Oil is my first step out of the shower."

"Adds a very beautiful and rich color to the space."

"Another Copenhagen-based company that offers incredible quality and timeless design."

"The comfiest chair — it’s a piece that will be with me for a long time."

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