Interior Design Feature:

Casa Ensueño: A Dreamlike Home in Puerto Vallarta by Designer Kelli Daley

Overview

In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, interior designer Kelli Daley of Daley Interior Studio (formerly Casa Linda 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

Daley Interior Studio

Type

Family Residence

Location

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Services

Full Feature on YouTube, IG, FB & TikTok

Presented by

Kelli Daley

A white building with a wooden arched door behind a black metal gate. Potted plants and a bench on the patio create a welcoming entrance.

A Fresh Welcome

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.”

Rounded glass windows of a modern white building create an elegant facade. Sunlight filters through leafy trees, casting shadows, under a clear blue sky.

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.”

Stone wall with a lion's head sculpture, partially overshadowed by lush pink flowers and tree branches. A building with balconies looms in the background.

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.

Spacious home entryway with a wooden arched door, warm cabinetry, and a curved staircase. Subdued lighting creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere.

Cozy interior with a beige cushioned bench under an arched window. A soft blanket and pillow adorn the bench, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

A modern interior view looking up at white spherical pendant lights hanging from a high ceiling, surrounded by brick walls and black metal railings.

Aerial view of an elegant, sunlit two-story home showcasing a spiral staircase, modern dining area, and black railing. Warm, inviting atmosphere.

Inside Casa Ensueño

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.

Cozy kitchen with wooden cabinets, an island with a stove, open shelves with plants, jars, and decorative items. Bright, airy ambiance with natural light.

The Heart of the Home

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 Montebello Quartzite island now define the space.

Kelli Daley stands in a modern kitchen, smiling while opening a stainless steel fridge. The room features wooden cabinets, open shelving with plants, and a vase of red flowers on the counter.

Kelli Daley in a modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, stainless steel fridge, and white countertops, looking up at brightly lit upper shelves. Cozy ambiance.

A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets and a marble countertop. Sunlight streams in, highlighting the pot-fillers of Kelli Daley's dogs.

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.

Close-up of wooden cabinets with brass ring handles, leading to a blurred, arched wooden door in the background. Warm, rustic ambiance.

A modern interior showcasing ceiling lights illuminating wooden panels with circular cutouts, creating a warm and cozy ambiance.

A cozy living room with a large arched window, beige couch, and wooden coffee table. Neutral tones and soft lighting create an inviting atmosphere.

Layers of Character

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.

Cozy bathroom with a light stone sink, woven pendant lights, and an arched window. A vase with flowers adds a touch of nature. Warm, rustic ambiance.

A minimalist bathroom features a white freestanding tub with a dark towel draped over it. A marble backsplash, faucet, and decor create a serene ambiance.

Bathrooms offered opportunities for bold design. A guest bath finished entirely in chukum now features a floating Carrara marble sink with fluted detail, handmade lighting, and a full tub with rain shower.

Modern outdoor patio featuring a pergola, dining area with a wooden table, lounge chairs, plants, and a fire pit. The ambiance is relaxed and inviting.

Modern outdoor dining area with a wooden table, six wicker chairs, and small plants. A grill is in the background, with a scenic mountain view.

Outdoor patio with wicker chairs around a wooden table under a pergola. Shelves with potted plants and greenery line the stone-tiled space, evoking a serene ambiance.

Rooftop Living

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.

Kelli Daley sitting on a cushioned patio chair on a terrace with a scenic view of a coastal town and hills under a clear blue sky, conveying relaxation.

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.”

Watch full feature here.

Gallery

The Finer Details

Cozy bathroom with wooden accents. Features a modern mirror, stone sink, vase with white flowers, and soft lighting, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Cozy living room with neutral tones, featuring a large beige sofa, plush pillows, wooden coffee table, and floor-to-ceiling arched window with curtains.

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