Deena Castello – the new curator and co-owner of downtown Los Altos’ Vintage Bath – summed up the recent change of ownership in one word: kismet.
Castello already runs two successful bath showrooms in Southern California. While visiting her hometown of Willow Glen, she stopped by Vintage Bath at 351 Main St. and struck up a conversation with the store’s former owner.
“We just clicked,” Castello recalled. “I instantly felt as though this was exactly where I was supposed to be.”
It was good timing – husband-wife duo Simon Scott and Rebecca Trimpi were ready to transition out of the business, and Castello was prepared to expand her own. In each other, they found their solutions.
“Deena’s vision honors the tradition of Vintage Bath,” Scott said. “We couldn’t be more pleased to be passing the reins on to her.”
Established in 1999, Vintage Bath is a bathroom boutique and showroom stocked with plumbing fixtures, hardware and accessories. Castello, along with longtime business partner Jerry Rudick, assumed ownership Feb. 11.
“I love the atmosphere – the small-town, community feel,” Rudick said of Los Altos. “It’s nice to be part of that.”
Castello and Rudick relocated from San Diego so that they could take a hands-on approach to running their new store. Rudick works behind the scenes; Castello is upfront in the showroom.
“I love creating,” she said. “As a designer, you appreciate different styles. Having the showrooms is a great way to fulfill that style craving.”
Creative spirit
Castello, 29, has more than a decade of experience in the industry. She first worked in the tile business during high school with her current marketing and visual director, Alissa McDonald.
“It’s something we love, and I think that shows,” McDonald said.
Industry leadership has taken note. Castello has twice received the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s 30 Under 30 Award, which honors young professionals excelling in the field.
Castello is a regular guest lecturer at her alma mater, the Design Institute of San Diego, and she has plenty of inspiration to pass on to younger designers. While attending night school, Castello joined forces with Rudick on their first showroom – Cabochon Surfaces & Fixtures in La Jolla.
Over the years, the business partners expanded the showroom and wanted to move into a larger space. When another storefront became available down the street, they instead opened a second boutique, Lavish – The Bath Gallery.
In all of her showrooms, Castello hires interior designers to guide the selection process. At Vintage Bath, the team has brought in new lines of accessories, plumbing and apothecaries, some at a lower price point. Within the next couple months, they plan to open a tile gallery and eventually add kitchen displays to the showroom.
“Where there’s a bath, there’s a kitchen,” McDonald said.
McDonald and Castello said they want to offer more events and open houses, following the successful March 6 launch of the new ownership.
Vintage Bath is scheduled to open its doors for the Los Altos Village Association’s Easter Egg Hunt 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, offering festive soaps for children and mimosas for adults. The store will host a spring-cleaning sale as well.
“There are a lot of design-related businesses, just on Main Street,” McDonald said. “This is an exhilarating time for the design community of Los Altos.”
For more information, visit vintagebath.com.
