
30+ Pics From Our Lunch With California Closets at Cafe Flora in Seattle
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Kara Mercer
This fall, we took the leap and hosted 3 events in Seattle over a span of 3 weeks (see examples #1 and #2). The last of our triple-header was a fitting end to the flurry of activity—an absolutely lovely lunch at the iconic vegetarian restaurant Cafe Flora, co-hosted by MOTHER and our friends at California Closets and California Closets Seattle.
With the stunning restaurant as our backdrop, we invited a dozen inspiring locals working in interiors and design to gather with us and discuss the meaning of home—a topic that seems more pressing than ever, given the state of the world. Answers included “safety,” “ritual,” “restoration,” “tradition,” “privilege,” “freedom,” “a bus,” “grandma’s house,” “my husband and cat,” “rest,” and so forth.
In addition to our touching and personal conversation, our table came to life with a robust 3-course meal by Cafe Flora and a colorful tabletop display by Heath Ceramics and Idlewild Floral Co. Want to re-live it all with us?
Check out 30+ pics from our event with California Closets and Cafe Flora!
- The absolutely beautiful Cafe Flora—a Seattle staple known for its all-vegetarian menu and stunning decor (including walls covered in bold House of Hackney wallpaper).
- Diana Berger helping set the scene.
- Our colorful tablescape included an array of Heath Ceramics bud vases filled with dried florals by Idlewild Floral Co.
- The wonderful California Closets Seattle team—Michelle Gion, Kiersea Reynolds, and Stephanie Macknight.
- A beautiful and delicious Vitamin C Kombucha Tonic by Cafe Flora.
- Friends and photographers Dorothee Brand and Tash Haynes chop it up.
- Tea, coffee, and catchup time before we get seated.
- Issues of California Closets' inspiring Ideas of Order magazine, filled with ideas for the home, office, kids' play spaces, and more.
- Good vibes, everywhere.
- Interior designer Ayesha Usman and photographer and stylist Emily Keeney snuggling up.
- Everyone left with a Heath + Idlewild bud vase arrangement, plus tabletop goods by our guest Moorea Seal.
- Lani Trock and Kiersea Reynolds of California Closets Seattle with Sarah Kirk of Swoop Bags.
- Multi-hyphenate creative Moorea Seal (far right) joins the flock.
- All seated, and about to dig into a multi-course meal by Cafe Flora and a conversation around the meaning of home, led by California Closets.
- Kicking things off with Cafe Flora's famous vegan cinnamon roll.
- Tablemates Dorothee Brand, Kennesha Poe-Buycks, and Ayesha Usman share a laugh.
- Breaking bread and making new friends.
- Mama of 3 Tash Haynes, getting her social sea legs back after a trip to Paris.
- Jewelry designer and toddler mama Faris Du Graf.
- We loved hearing every guest's very personal and meaningful take one what home means to them.
- A beautiful setting filled with beautiful souls—our hearts felt full.
- Design-minded ladies Laura Cariaso of Ore Studios, Lani Trock, and Mylle founder Kristin Myllenbeck.
- Welcoming our guests and cracking jokes.
- Mama of 1 Laura Cariaso giving us all the fall feels.
- Sharing deep thoughts...
- and plenty of giggles.
- Big smiles all around.
- We're so grateful to Moorea Seal for showing up to all 3 (!) of our back-to-back-to-back events in Seattle.
- California Closets Seattle designer Stephanie Macknight opens up about her own definition of home.
- We all loved hearing about California Closets Seattle GM Kiersea Reynolds' unique childhood, which included living in a bus.
- The backdrop says it all.
- Art prints and desktop goodies from Moorea Seal, alongside magazines by California Closets, ready for our guests to take home.
- Each guest got to choose from 4 chic hues of Heath Ceramics bud vases, filled with colorful dried mini bouquets by Idlewild Floral Co..
- Our favorite hot/cold rice packs by small biz and women-owned brand Beloved—we're obsessed!
- Bags filled with mushroom coffee wonders by Wunderground, a mama-owned brand and Seattle staple.
- Sarah Kirk of Swoop Bags taking her hefty goody bag home.
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Cafe Flora owner Nat Stratton-Clarke and yours truly. Thank you for hosting us, Nat!
And to California Closets for your continued partnership!
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