Q & A with Kiki Carini of Casa Carini
Q & A with Kiki Carini of Casa Carini
Everyday Goods for a Natural Lifestyle
The founder of Casa Carini brings a deep appreciation for generational craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and the quiet beauty of everyday rituals to everything she creates. With a background in jewelry design and strong ties to Italy, her work is shaped by time-honored techniques, natural materials, and a belief in making objects meant to be truly lived with. Each piece reflects a commitment to simplicity, intention, and longevity, honoring the idea that well-made things can gather stories and become part of a family’s life over time.
Everyday Goods for a Natural Lifestyle
The founder of Casa Carini brings a deep appreciation for generational craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and the quiet beauty of everyday rituals to everything she creates. With a background in jewelry design and strong ties to Italy, her work is shaped by time-honored techniques, natural materials, and a belief in making objects meant to be truly lived with. Each piece reflects a commitment to simplicity, intention, and longevity, honoring the idea that well-made things can gather stories and become part of a family’s life over time.
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Q & A with Kiki Carini
As a brand rooted in thoughtful, handcrafted goods, what qualities were most important to you in this project?
I’m always drawn to design that lasts for generations and feels untethered to a specific era. Collaborating with Baile felt like a natural extension of that philosophy, as we share a deep appreciation for thoughtful craftsmanship and intentional living. The goal with anything I make is for it to be well crafted enough to be lived with, cared for, and eventually passed on, becoming part of a family’s story over time.
What do you hope families feel or experience when they use these aprons at home?
That the aprons become something families reach for during everyday moments, cooking dinner, making a warm drink together, or helping in the kitchen after school. My hope is that they slow things down just enough to turn ordinary routines into shared rituals, where children feel included, capable, and proud to take part. Over time, I’d love for the aprons to carry memories, small stains, and stories, becoming a reminder of time spent together.
Can you share a bit about the creative process or the makers behind Casa Carini’s collections?
Casa Carini’s collections are made in collaboration with established makers in Italy who have been creating personalized embroidered pieces for generations. The first maker I worked with learned the craft from his aunt, who learned it from her grandmother, and that sense of lineage deeply shapes how I approach every design.The creative process itself is a practice in restraint. These makers do not typically work with illustrations, and I am told “no” far more often than I am told yes. That limitation is part of the beauty. It keeps the designs grounded, intentional, and focused on what truly lasts. In the end, the pieces always feel simpler and more timeless, which is ultimately what I love most.
What traditions, materials, or techniques influence your approach to curating goods for children and homes?
My approach is influenced by traditional techniques that prioritize patience, skill, and longevity over speed or trend. I’m drawn to natural materials, simple constructions, and methods that have been refined over generations rather than reinvented. Whether it’s embroidery, ceramics, or textiles, I look for work that shows the hand of the maker and allows for small imperfections, because those details give pieces character and soul.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to start Casa Carini?
I’m a mother of two with a background in jewelry design, and Casa Carini grew out of a long-standing appreciation for craftsmanship and thoughtful design. Spending so much time in Italy with my family, and with my Italian husband, has deeply shaped how I see objects, rituals, and the role well-made things play in everyday life. Italy feels like a second home to me, and that influence is woven throughout the brand.
Do you have a favorite memory from your own childhood or with your children involving cooking, crafting, or using aprons like these?
I baked often with my German grandmother, and every year we made Springerle cookies together. I can still remember the smell of anise clearly. She had a deep respect for heirloom materials and believed that when you cared for them, they could last a lifetime. She always had me wear an apron, and in that small way I felt included and part of something special. That sensibility has stayed with me and continues to influence how I mother my children and approach my work today.
What advice would you give parents who want to encourage creativity and hands‑on experiences at home?
Creativity often grows out of routine and repetition, not elaborate setups. When children are invited into real life in small, meaningful ways, their confidence and curiosity tend to follow.
What are you most excited about for the future of Casa Carini?
I’m really excited to spend time in Italy this summer sourcing beautiful, interesting antique pieces, and to start bringing in a small, thoughtful selection of children’s books that feel timeless and well loved.
Are there any upcoming collaborations or collections you can give us a sneak peek about?
Yes, a fun kidswear collaboration coming this spring! It feels playful and thoughtful, and very much in the spirit of Casa Carini.
Q & A with Kiki Carini
As a brand rooted in thoughtful, handcrafted goods, what qualities were most important to you in this project?
I’m always drawn to design that lasts for generations and feels untethered to a specific era. Collaborating with Baile felt like a natural extension of that philosophy, as we share a deep appreciation for thoughtful craftsmanship and intentional living. The goal with anything I make is for it to be well crafted enough to be lived with, cared for, and eventually passed on, becoming part of a family’s story over time.
What do you hope families feel or experience when they use these aprons at home?
That the aprons become something families reach for during everyday moments, cooking dinner, making a warm drink together, or helping in the kitchen after school. My hope is that they slow things down just enough to turn ordinary routines into shared rituals, where children feel included, capable, and proud to take part. Over time, I’d love for the aprons to carry memories, small stains, and stories, becoming a reminder of time spent together.
Can you share a bit about the creative process or the makers behind Casa Carini’s collections?
Casa Carini’s collections are made in collaboration with established makers in Italy who have been creating personalized embroidered pieces for generations. The first maker I worked with learned the craft from his aunt, who learned it from her grandmother, and that sense of lineage deeply shapes how I approach every design.The creative process itself is a practice in restraint. These makers do not typically work with illustrations, and I am told “no” far more often than I am told yes. That limitation is part of the beauty. It keeps the designs grounded, intentional, and focused on what truly lasts. In the end, the pieces always feel simpler and more timeless, which is ultimately what I love most.
What traditions, materials, or techniques influence your approach to curating goods for children and homes?
My approach is influenced by traditional techniques that prioritize patience, skill, and longevity over speed or trend. I’m drawn to natural materials, simple constructions, and methods that have been refined over generations rather than reinvented. Whether it’s embroidery, ceramics, or textiles, I look for work that shows the hand of the maker and allows for small imperfections, because those details give pieces character and soul.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to start Casa Carini?
I’m a mother of two with a background in jewelry design, and Casa Carini grew out of a long-standing appreciation for craftsmanship and thoughtful design. Spending so much time in Italy with my family, and with my Italian husband, has deeply shaped how I see objects, rituals, and the role well-made things play in everyday life. Italy feels like a second home to me, and that influence is woven throughout the brand.
Do you have a favorite memory from your own childhood or with your children involving cooking, crafting, or using aprons like these?
I baked often with my German grandmother, and every year we made Springerle cookies together. I can still remember the smell of anise clearly. She had a deep respect for heirloom materials and believed that when you cared for them, they could last a lifetime. She always had me wear an apron, and in that small way I felt included and part of something special. That sensibility has stayed with me and continues to influence how I mother my children and approach my work today.
What advice would you give parents who want to encourage creativity and hands‑on experiences at home?
Creativity often grows out of routine and repetition, not elaborate setups. When children are invited into real life in small, meaningful ways, their confidence and curiosity tend to follow.
What are you most excited about for the future of Casa Carini?
I’m really excited to spend time in Italy this summer sourcing beautiful, interesting antique pieces, and to start bringing in a small, thoughtful selection of children’s books that feel timeless and well loved.
Are there any upcoming collaborations or collections you can give us a sneak peek about?
Yes, a fun kidswear collaboration coming this spring! It feels playful and thoughtful, and very much in the spirit of Casa Carini.