Notary In Your Space | Ella Hilario

The drive to Ella’s family home, (from my own home in Oregon City), is tree-lined and absolutely serene. On this dreary spring morning, the air was wet and crisp with a chill. As I turned down a discreet gravel street, the white farm house and lush green landscape told me I had arrived. This home is a delicate portrayal of “less is more”. The cozy minimalism is both graceful and eclectic. We meander through this home and the grounds surrounding it slowly and with presence.

Enjoy your stroll. 

Welcome to our series latest Journal series where we will be inviting you into the homes of our beloved team members and closest friends. Get an intimate glimpse of our people in their places.

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Hello! My name is Ella, and I work in the shop at Notary Ceramics.

Just before covid, my family moved out to the country, which was a big shift—but one that couldn’t have come at a better time. Our house sits on about 20 acres that has a large garden, forest, streams, ponds, and lots of wildlife. Being surrounded by nature has been incredibly grounding and that is probably the thing I love most about where we live. I love spending the day out on the porch or in the grass, and being able to do my schoolwork or enjoy a meal in the quiet. It’s peaceful and centering in a way that’s hard to describe.

Almost everything I own is either handed down to me or bought secondhand. I have my grandma’s old furniture set in my bedroom and my grandpa’s desk, which I not only love but also treasure because they belonged to them. A lot of the pieces in our home came from marketplace, auctions near our house, or barn sales—my mom and I are always on the lookout. I found my bed frame from the 1940s on marketplace for just 25 dollars. I don’t think furniture needs to be expensive—you just need patience and a good eye. There’s something really special about knowing the story and having a memory behind each item.

My biggest design influence has been my parents. My childhood home was a 1911 bungalow that they restored themselves, with help from my grandpa, who is a woodworker. I have vague memories of the house before but the before and after photos are incredible. My mom paid so much attention to detail replacing even the smallest fixtures with ones from around the time the house was built. They later built our current home from the ground up, my mom designing most of it. My parents have always had a do-what-you-can-yourself mentality and that has been very inspiring too. That process is what made me realize I want to be an interior architect.

 I love the idea of creating spaces people want to be in and I hope I can make a career out of it. Living in the Pacific Northwest has also shaped my approach to design—the soft grey tones of the landscape, the natural textures—those elements are always in the back of my mind.  

Even though I love living with my family, I’m excited for the day I have a space of my own. I’ve already started collecting things for it—art, furniture, and kitchen wares. It’s going to be a slow process, but I like that. I think when you find something that feels right, it’s important to take it home because you never know if you’ll find something like it again. I’ve also started throwing my own dinnerware here and there, hoping to eventually have a full set by the time I do have my own home.

Ella’s wheel is on the second level of her family’s barn, below which is her grandfather’s woodworking shop.

 My biggest piece of advice for those looking to create a space that represents them is to be intuitive. Be honest with yourself about what you like—don’t just follow trends. When I find something special, I usually get a gut feeling about it, and I’ve learned to trust that instinct. I also think the space itself has a voice. Our home is a farmhouse and surrounded by nature, so we leaned into natural tones and materials that blend with the outdoors. My advice is to listen to what your space is asking for—and trust what feels right to you. That’s how you build a home that feels timeless and personal.

Working at Notary has been such a gift. Being in a creative environment has definitely nurtured my own creativity. Styling the shop window is one of my favorite parts of the job. Everything in the shop is so beautiful on its own, but I love getting to play a small role in shaping how it’s presented.

Thank you, Ella & family for inviting us into your beautiful home. I can’t wait to return. 

written by Roe