About

LILIFY

Lilify, an artisan shop in Monterey, California, opened in 2012 and has been featured in Dwell Magazine, Sunset Magazine, C Magazine, Rue Magazine, Carmel Magazine, AAA Magazine, 7x7, Design Sponge, Sacramento Street and Apartment Therapy.

LILIFY ENSEMBLE

Hanni Liliedahl, Creative Director + Owner

Hanni was raised in Alaska and educated in New York City. She worked as part of design teams in Japan, South Africa and Guyana before settling in California. When she is not astir at Lilify, she is gardening, painting, cooking and loving on her son.

Jesse Silacci, Operations Director + Owner

Jesse is fifth generation Californian and after undergraduate adventured to Guam and Guyana. When he is not managing the technicalities of Lilify, constructing the displays and approving the playlists, he is practicing judo and getting silly with his son.

Tess Tarling, Online Operations Director

Tess was born and raised on the coast of Maine and schooled in Wisconsin. She has traveled and worked in Hawaii and St. Eustatius. When she is not creating content and managing Lilify's online presence, she is cooking, weight lifting and beach combing. 

Aryanna Arredondo, Sales

Aryanna is a California native who resided in Texas for six years. While in San Antonio, she developed her admiration for photography, design, and floral display. Her passions shine through her work, her studies and her eye for artisan goods. When she is not at Lilify, you can find her reading, observing the world through a 50mm lens and pursuing her creative endeavors. 

Eileen Roche, Photographer

Eileen is a San Francisco-based photographer. She brakes for estate sales, goats, and good views, and is constantly finding ways to spend more time exploring. Clients and features include Zipcar, Virgin Mobile, Hipcamp, Visit Marin, Design*Sponge, and AFAR magazine.

Alyssa Synsteby, Product Photographer

Alyssa is a California native; she was born and raised in Pacific Grove, and educated in California. She received her first camera at the age of eight, and the gift sparked a lifelong love of photography. When she is not behind her camera she is often dabbling in other crafty hobbies such as knitting, dyeing, and sewing. 

Sarah is from Monterey, California. Her creative side has been nurtured by working with stage and flamenco dance costumes as well as building quilts for family and friends. 

LILIFY ATELIER

Lilify x Connie Mardon

Connie Mardon || Soap Maker, Sheba Soaps 

Connie Mardon is a native Californian.  She enjoys making artisan soap, using herbs as colorants and essential oils to coincide with the "look" of each batch.  Similar to the laws of nature, where nothing is permanent, Connie views soap making as a natural art form; like a field of poppies that may appear all the same, no two are exactly alike, and they can be enjoyed for a time. When she's not creating new soap and lotion concoctions, she teaches American Tribal Style Belly Dance, Yoga, and is an Ayurvedic Practitioner.    

Lilify x Susan McKendry 

Susan McKendry || Ceramic Artist, Susan McKendry Ceramics 

Born and raised in New Zealand, Susan has spent her adult life in the US, ultimately settling on California’s Central Coast.  When not playing with clay, she can be found gardening, working with foster youth, and assisting at the Youth Arts Collective in Monterey.

Emmaline Molloy || Candle Maker, Valley Botanicals 

Emmaline Molloy was raised and educated in Upstate New York. She planned to pursue her degree in Art Education until she took a trip to the Big Island, Hawaii not long after she graduated college. It was there that Emmaline became interested in herbalism and gardening, which then led her into making natural, plant-based skincare products. She now lives in Big Sur, California alongside her pup Yarrow and partner Jon, where together they grow many of the plants that are used in Valley Botanicals’ products, as well as the beeswax from their beehives.

Mikaela is a Northern California native and new to the Monterey Bay. She started sewing with her grandma at the age of eight. Together they made stuffed animals and simple clothing. Mikaela’s Mother and Father gifted her a her very own sewing machine at the age of fourteen. Mikaela then started making book bags for school and her own bikinis and clothing.  

Mendoza advanced to Patina Restaurant where he began rigorous pastry training under Michelle Myers. He went on to work for David Myers at Restaurant Jaan in both savory and pastry. Most recently, Mendoza worked with both David and Michelle at Sona, where his versatility combined with an incessant energy and enthusiasm helped him to create noteworthy desserts for the restaurant. Next, Mendoza took on the executive pastry chef position at Ortolan, working with acclaimed L.A. Chef Christophe Eme. In 2006 Mendoza won a StarChefs.com Rising Stars Award and became pastry chef at Aubergine restaurant in downtown Carmel.

Mendoza applies his talents to sweet and savory pastry creation for his new venture, Ad Astra Bread Co.

LILIFY GIVES

Lilify is honored to be a part of our Monterey community. We believe in giving back and have supported the Monterey Public Library, Monterey Museum of Art, Osio Theater, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, MEarth, NAACP Monterey Country Branch, the Monterey Peace and Justice Center, Rock the Vote California and Youth Arts Collective.