THE TEAM
Olivia Huvane, Principal
Salt & Cedar is co-founded by Olivia Huvane. A native Pacific North-westerner, she spent her youth exploring the rural and wild beauty of Alaska, Oregon and Washington and still believes that the Bellingham sunset is the perfect color palette.
Although a nature lover at heart, Olivia left the PNW upon graduation to study in both San Francisco and New York. She felt the pull of city life and was drawn to the diversity, vibrancy and energy that each city had to offer. She studied Space Design and Visual Communications at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco, then went on to study Communications and Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
Before returning to her roots, Olivia spent the last 20 years working in the creative industry in New York and abroad, running a design and event production firm servicing luxury fashion, lifestyle and beauty brands globally.
Olivia believes in the intersection of fashion and interior design and has an expert eye for colors and patterns and is known for seamlessly combining styles to create distinctive, personalized spaces. She places value on using treasures and special objects to reflect the lives and cultures of those she works with and truly believes your home is the visual story of your life.
Rachel Louws, Principal
Rachel grew up in various states across the country from Minnesota to Texas, but she’s made Washington State home for the last 15 years. On a sunny day, the mountains and water of the PNW shine in the most perfect way that make it hard to leave.
Rachel has a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Seattle Pacific University. She spent several years in the event and wedding industry, while always designing on the side. She teamed up with Olivia in 2020 to bring her dreams of owning her own interior design studio to life.
To Rachel, it’s not just about designing a space that looks beautiful, but one that feels inviting. She values maintaining the original character of a home while bringing it into modern day. Spaces designed by Rachel never feel generic. She loves to mix patterns, metals and to add a personal touch with photography and art.
Outside of the Salt & Cedar studio you can find Rachel running on Bellingham’s trails, baking (and eating) dark chocolate sea salt cookies or hanging out with her husband and three kiddos.
Stephanie Ma, Senior Designer
Stephanie grew up in Bellingham, Washington, but moved to the United Kingdom after graduation to pursue her studies in architecture. She earned her Bachelors degree from Sheffield University and her Masters of Architecture from London Metropolitan University. After completing her studies, she worked with renowned studios such as Conran and Partners in London and Bean Buro in Hong Kong, where she gained experience on projects ranging from large-scale hospitality developments in the U.S. to bespoke residential homes in Hong Kong and beyond.
Stephanie brings a thoughtful and creative approach to her work, blending classic styles with a modern perspective. With a strong interest in mid-century design, she enjoys creating spaces that highlight historic character while feeling fresh and contemporary. Her expertise includes 3D modeling, renderings, and detailed technical drawings, along with developing material palettes that balance pattern, color, and texture.
While she loves the fast pace and energy of city life, Stephanie also appreciates being back in the Pacific Northwest, where the slower rhythm and natural beauty of her hometown offer a welcome contrast. Outside of work, she enjoys thrifting at local second-hand shops and wine tasting at nearby wine bars.