Casa Ensueño: A Dreamlike Home in Puerto Vallarta by Designer Kelli Daley
- Apr 28
- 2 min read
Updated: May 19
In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, interior designer Kelli Daley of Casalinda Interior Studio has transformed a once-crumbling property into Casa Ensueño, a home that is both soulful and sophisticated. Meaning “House of Dreams,” the name reflects the couple’s vision and the layered details that make this retreat unique.
BRAND
Casalinda Interior Studio
TYPE
Family Residence
LOCATION
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
SERVICES
Full feature on YouTube, IG, FB & TikTok
PRESENTED BY
Kelli Daley
When the couple first arrived, the home’s entry was worn and uneven. “The Saltillo tile was slippery, the fountain was falling apart, and nothing really worked,” Kelli recalls. Today, guests step onto tumbled marble tiles in an irregular pattern and are greeted by a trough-style fountain that hums with calm. “It’s the first thing you hear,” she notes. “I wanted people to instantly relax.”
To unify the façade, the couple painted the original brick a crisp white and added scalloped awnings on handcrafted brackets. “Painting the brick gave it life again,” she explains. “It’s classic but still feels fresh.”
Daley also revived a nearby garden, salvaging a lion’s head fountain from the original property and turning the space into a communal retreat for neighbors and their dogs.
The interior blends comfort, craftsmanship, and personal history. In the entry, a bench and cabinet from California provide storage and display, while portraits of the couple’s dogs bring warmth. The original curved staircase was reimagined in chukum plaster, a natural finish from the Yucatán, and crowned with a draped chandelier.
The kitchen transformation became a labor of love. “It used to be all brick and dark,” Kelli remembers. “We needed function but also warmth.” Handmade Rosa Morada cabinetry, reeded-glass doors, and a ten-foot Monteallo quartzite island now define the space.
Lighting plays a key role. “I keep the backlit glass on most nights,” she says. “It glows like candlelight.” Even the couple’s dogs have a thoughtful design moment: a custom dog station with its own pot filler. “They got one before we did,” Kelli jokes, “but they’re worth it.”
The dining room features an arched window and functional fireplace, paired with vintage cane chairs, a locally crafted table, and a linen pendant that makes a quiet statement.
Storage solutions became central to the renovation. A tall custom built-in of Rosa Morada wood adds function and finesse, while reupholstered vintage pieces, including a California-made sofa, bring personality.
Bathrooms offered opportunities for bold design. A guest bath finished entirely in chukum now features a floating Carrera marble sink with fluted detail, handmade lighting, and a full tub with rain shower.
The rooftop is the home’s most magical space, where a Mediterranean-inspired plunge pool, custom pergola, and oversized dining table set the stage for gatherings with sweeping views of the cathedral and sea. A pizza oven from Guadalajara and a full outdoor kitchen make it ideal for entertaining.
Through thoughtful layering of local craft, personal story, and timeless design, Daley has made Casa Ensueño both a family home and a work of art. “We’re close to the beach, the cathedral, the Malecón. You can walk everywhere,” she says. “It’s an amazing place to live.”
