The Simplify & Clean Issue
LARK HOUSE INTERIOR STYLING
Making A House A Home Story by Natalie Caudle | Photos by Jonna Dodge
Like so many little girls, Marissa Avila spent her childhood playing in a make-believe world: primping, dressing, and designing the intricate details of her dolls. As fairytales faded, Marissa settled into adulthood working with her father in the insurance industry. Her days became more rhythmic and predictable, but the spark of design that had once captured her curiosity was always a close companion. Time marched on; Marissa married and became a mother to three, yet her heart continued to beat for beautiful things. In quiet moments, she would thumb through old issues of Domino magazine admiring vintage styles and learning the intricacies of design. It wasn’t until 2021 that her dream of helping others find beauty and purpose in their spaces became a reality—Lark House Interior Styling began. With a guiding spirit, Marissa leaves the reins of home design in the hands of the client. At the center of each project is the reflection of the homeowner. “It’s a house; it has to be functional and beautiful,” remarks Marissa. “Your house should tell your own story. No two houses should look alike.” Her vision expands beyond a specific design or color palette. Each project is unique to the heartbeat of the home. Taking a house from an outdated and stale style can feel overwhelming to the average person. As a homegrown Valley girl, Marissa realizes that the decor options in town can seem limited. But she looks beyond the current trends and searches for vintage treasures to add a little personality. After moving to a newly-built house, Marissa faced the challenge of threading her own voice into the tapestry of their home. Instead of filling the space with trendy knickknacks, she chose specific pieces that held sentimental value. She remarks, “One of my favorite décor pieces is my husband’s grandpa’s army picture—it’s part of my husband’s story. It’s not a style, it’s functional.” Throughout her home are other pieces that have a dual purpose of meaning and beauty: a vintage tin butterfly box adds interest to her shelf while a cherished black and white finger painting by her son is framed in his bedroom. “I will never get rid of it. It’s so meaningful to me. It reflects my story.” 21
