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, Forbes, Design Sponge, Sacramento Street, Suitcase Magazine 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 Alex Marshall Studios
Alex Marshall || Ceramic Artist, Alex Marshall Studios
Alex, originally from the East Coast, began selling the ceramics she designed as an undergraduate, refined in her master’s program, fully embraced after completing her schooling and Alex Marshall Studios was born.
For Alex, Alex Marshall Studios’ is not just about creating product, but also an exploration into conceptual ideas. One of her favorite themes is the notion of one in many, repeating the same form over and over but with varying results. Alex’s touch influences every piece. From shaping to firing and glazing each step is an opportunity to create slight nuances. This makes for products that are as individual as the people using them. All of Alex’s ceramics mold comfortably to the human hand, literally connecting the artist to the collector.
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. Feather Me Orange was born in 2008 in San Francisco when Mikaela was attending the Circus Center to become an aerial acrobat. Since then Mikaela has been selling wholesale sewn goods to stores in Northern and Central California. Her most popular item, The Classic Mudcloth Zip, is made with authentic mudcloth fabrics from Western Africa. All fabrics sourced for f.m.o. goods are carefully curated and hand picked.
Lilify x Ad Astra Bread Co.
Ron Mendoza || Baker, Ad Astra Bread Co.
Chef Ron Mendoza began his culinary career in 2000, after eight years of working in retail. To pursue a career that was more rewarding, creative, and on a grander scale, he enrolled at the California School of Culinary Arts. During his studies Mendoza joined Joachim Splichal's Patina Group, starting on the hot line of Nick and Stef's Steakhouse.
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 x Yulanda Santos
Yulanda Santos || Pastry Chef, Aubergine Carmel
After several years in the banking industry, Yulanda decided to follow her enthusiasm for baking.
Her pastry knowledge expanded as she worked in many great kitchens and her passion for baking only grew stronger. Her career has brought her to the kitchens of One Market in San Francisco, Aqua and Aureole in Las Vegas, George’s at the Cove in La Jolla, California and Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, California.
Originally from San Diego, the opportunity to be the Pastry Chef at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur brought her from wine country back to the California coastline.
Yulanda is currently the Pastry Chef at Aubergine at L’Auberge Carmel. Her desserts are inspired by her surroundings and fresh produce from local farmers.
Yulanda also enjoys traveling the world to gain new experiences and bring new flavor profiles to her menu. She plans on eating her way through the world…life couldn’t be sweeter.
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.