We had the good fortune of connecting with Ana Castillo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ana, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?

I would say that I am most inspired by nature and sustainability. This inspiration is what originally drove my husband and I to launch The Castillo Collective, after sensing a need in the industry for a more natural approach to home design. Rooted in this philosophy and driven by the need to be resourceful, our mission has been to create timeless interiors that are an honest reflection of our clients. Living and working in Hawaii has also been a source of inspiration. We are constantly striving to find ways to bring nature inside and incorporate earth friendly materials and this has become a common thread in our projects.

We value the natural quality and esthetic of rattan, wood and stone and strive to incorporate as many vintage finds into our design as possible. In addition to bringing home unique pieces from our travels, we are avid thrifters and are always on the hunt for cool furnishings and art. There is so much waste in the design industry so we really appreciate second hand finds and heirloom pieces that are designed to last a lifetime.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I never formally studied interior design but from a young age it was a passionate interest of mine. It also helped that I was raised by a family of artists and makers and always encouraged to be creative. I began my career working as an assistant for a large import and interior design firm in Kona, Hawaii. It was a lot of hard work but after years of hands on experience in the field, I gradually moved up to being a project manager and international buyer. I travelled often on buying trips, mainly to Southeast Asia and Morocco and in the process developed a deeper appreciation for different cultures, design and unique artifacts. And the feeling of wandering through the medinas of Marrakech in search of the perfect rug or working with artisans in Bali to design furniture from a hand drawn sketch will always feed my soul.

I feel that all of these earlier career experiences have laid a solid foundation for my current work as lead designer of The Castillo Collective. My husband and I now enjoy collaborating on everything from complete renovations for clients to furniture and lighting design. Recently, we have been working on the creation of a ceramics studio as an addition to our present design/build workshop. We plan to offer a line of unique handmade ceramic lighting fixtures and objects of decor in the near future.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

The Big Island has always been known as a quieter, less developed island. That is one of the main reasons why my husband and I chose to move here over twenty years ago! It has gotten a bit busier lately but it is still full of sleepy villages and still doesnt have a nightlife.

Because the Big Island is so big (all of the other islands fit in to it, with room left over) it is helpful to divide it into areas when planning an itinerary here. We live in Kealakakuea bay which is in South Kona on the West side of the island. We are in a rural area, surrounded mainly by family farms but some of the most beautiful beaches are a ten minute drive away.

We usually start our day with a cup of Kona coffee and fresh fruit. One of my favorite places in our area to have breakfast is at The Coffee Shack. They have the most incredible views of the bay and the cafe is in an authentic coffee shack, hence the name. Afterwards a swim at “Two Step” never disappoints and if you are lucky, you might see wild spinner dolphins. A really special hike we love to take with our dog is on the King’s trail to the left of City of Refuge. It meanders along the coast and has ruins of old buildings and rock walls. You will often see herds of goats and pigs running across the path and lots of native plants grow back there.

Heading north, there are so many beautiful beaches along the Kona Coast. We especially love Wailea Bay or “69’s” as it has plenty of shade from the groves of ironwood trees that line the beach and it is the perfect place to swim and have a picnic. If it’s in the later afternoon, we like to grab drinks at the newly renovated Auberge Resort at the Mauna Lani. They make amazing cocktails using local ingredients and its fun to get to feel like a tourist sometimes!

On the northern tip of our island is the picturesque sleepy little town of Hawi. It is great for walking and has a lot of little locally owned boutique and cafes including the Kohala Coffee Mill which feels like the heart of the town and often has live music. A short drive from Hawi will take you to the classic ranch town of Waimea which has the best farmer’s market on Saturdays! It is a great way to support local farmers, get a taste of the island’s incredible produce and buy crafts from local artisans. Dont miss my checking out the adorable booth of Kepola Design House and designer Autumn’s handmade line of linen clothing. Also the cult favorite Oahu cafe, Arvo, just opened their second location in Waimea and it has quickly become a destination for great coffee and shopping.

Hilo is on the East side of our island and boasts a downtown area filled with antique shops, great restaurants and a fantastic gallery space called the East Hawaii Cultural Center. The exhibits at EHCC change often, are always inspiring and well worth the drive over! There are a lot of hidden gems in Hilo town and it is nice to spend an entire day meandering through the backstreets to find them. One of our favorite places to eat in Hilo is at Moon and Turtle. They work with local farmers and fishermen to create a seasonal menu that is totally inventive and delicious.

No trip to the Big Island is complete without a visit to Volcanoes National Park. It is beautiful when the volcano isn’t erupting, but when it is, it is a one in a lifetime opportunity to see the formation of new earth and it is quite a humbling experience. There are many great places to stay in and around Volcano village, from treehouses to lodges with fireplaces and hottubs. I think it is worth staying the night and giving yourself the entire day to explore. Just be sure to be at the lookout point when it is dark. On a clear night, the glow from the active lava flow is something you will never forget!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We have been fans on the online design blog Remodelista for almost a decade! In fact, we often start our day with a cup of coffee in bed and read their latest post. In 2017 we participated in the Remodelista Considered Design Awards and ended up winning in our category for Best Living Room. It was such an honor and the recognition helped us launch our design firm for which we are forever grateful. We always share their website with friends and anyone who has an interest in design. We feel they have the best collection of photos and stories of unique homes and people around the world and we are always inspired by them!

Website: www.thecastillocollective.com

Instagram: @thecastillocollective

Image Credits
Marissa Castillo Megan Spelman

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.