CURATED CASITA

The Huntington Beach-based brand sells vintage apparel and handmade ceramics. by Chelsea Raineri curatedcasita.com

In 2020, Riley de Encio began curating vintage clothing and accessories, including purses and shoes, and creating eye-catching ceramic pieces such as bowls, mugs, and more. “I have Hispanic roots, hence why I chose the word ‘casita,’ so pieces that are useful in your home,” de Encio says. “ ‘Curated’ fit more with the vintage clothing aspect, which is hand selected by me for you.” Customers can fi nd de Encio at pop-ups throughout O.C. Check Instagram for her schedule.

How did you get into ceramics?

 I’ve always been a very crafty, artsy person. I had done ceramics in high school, and I wasn’t very good at it, but I was determined. I thought I’d just teach myself something new, so I bought a used kiln and wheel and watched a bunch of YouTube videos. As with most things in life, I learned along the way.

What inspires your ceramic designs?

 I worked at Prism Boutique, and I was very inspired by the curation of clothing and brands and colors there. I pulled from that. Checkered print is one of my signature designs as well as my Balance tumbler’s (yin and yang) design. I based that o finding balance between work and play because the ceramics started as something I was doing for fun, but then it became my career. I wanted to play o something that had a dual meaning. I focus on functionality and pieces with intention, so I try and make sure that all my pieces will fit into everyone’s daily routine. That’s why I stick to cups and mugs because I think that’s what people use the most. I’ve also had a lot of people tell me they like to display them, so you can use them as decor pieces as well.

How did you decide to add in vintage items?

 I was really inspired by my grandmother; she had a lot of great vintage pieces, and I wanted to go out to try and source things on my own. I also went to school for fashion and merchandising so I wanted to incorporate vintage clothing as well. I’ve always been passionate about clothes. I feel like I have two crowds of people— people who appreciate the (fashion) aspect but also people who appreciate the amount of time and e ort that goes into creating each ceramic piece.

What do you look for when sourcing vintage pieces?

 I’m big on texture, so I go through racks and look for things that stand out to me, like chunky knits and textures that you can mix and match. I think that’s what makes an outfit stand out and a bit di erent as opposed to just wearing all the same material. I focus on basic everyday pieces with a little something extra from the texture. I often look for neutrals, but I do enjoy a pop of color here and there.