Talk Shop: Anne Read Lattimore and Cassandra Cannon // LAKE Pajamas
Photo by Laura Negri
ABOUT ANNE READ AND CASSANDRA
Longtime friends Cassandra Cannon and Anne Read Lattimore were on the hunt for something they simply couldn’t find: seasonless pajamas that were both quietly stylish and super soft. They teamed up to found LAKE, the Savannah, Georgia-based sleepwear phenomenon beloved by editors (and AO!) and coveted by customers for its incomparable comfort and commitment to elevated sleep style. Cannon and Lattimore have broadened LAKE’s footprint from e-commerce to brick-and-mortar, opening charming stores in Charleston and Atlanta that fully embody the brand’s whimsical, classic prep style. LAKE’s continued evolution garners regular coverage from esteemed publications like Forbes, Town & Country, Vogue, and The Wall Street Journal, not to mention piles up in AO’s pajama drawer. (They are the softest PJ’s of all time – trust.)
We sat down with the founders to chat all things design – check it out below!
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
ARL: Classic style icons like Aerin Lauder and Tory Burch, and my friends (I’m forever stealing their ideas!), and Savannah’s casual style.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
CC: Anne Read and I were friends first. We had similar aesthetics and shared an entrepreneurial spirit. We always felt we would work well together.
ARL: Then came a business idea that we truly believed in from the beginning. We each had newborn babies and were spending more time at home. We had trouble finding pajamas that fit our fabric, fit, and style preferences that were still very comfortable. The business idea grew from there. LAKE was (and is!) all about comfort. This all really is a dream come true. I love that everyday is different and challenges me in different ways.
CC: My favorite thing about what I do is being able to work with people I genuinely enjoy, which makes being at work a lot of fun.
Where do you find inspiration:
CC: Everywhere. Sometimes it’s a random image I see in a magazine that sets off the tone for a new collection. I also like to imagine what I would want to wear traveling to a certain destination.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
ARL: A fun group of people, comfort food, cocktails, and a reliable babysitter.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
CC: I really cannot think of a rule that I follow. I believe that anything goes as long as you like it.
ARL: I think the magic of interiors is in the mix, and I love pulling from different styles and periods to create a space that’s my own.
What are you working on right now:
CC: Winter 2022 if you can believe it!
Wardrobe staples:
ARL: Our office style is very casual, so I believe in elevated basics like Le Monde Beryl flats, La Ligne sweaters, and Mother denim.
Best career advice you ever received:
CC: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and take chances.
Your greatest extravagance:
ARL and CC: Alone time!
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
CC: Pinterest is the most genius tool and really helps to narrow down what you do and don’t like in interiors. I still go through old pins and revisit rooms I love and weed out ones that no longer fit.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food:
ARL: Cheeseburger
CC: Kale salad and dark chocolate
Drink:
ARL: Sauvignon Blanc in the summer. Cabernet in the winter.
CC: Rosé
Film:
ARL: Can’t remember the last time I watched a movie. I do love a good series binge though. I am rewatching Veep now, and it’s even better the second time.
CC: Almost Famous
Hotel:
ARL: The Dunmore in Harbour Island. I’m relaxed just thinking about it.
CC: The Bowery Hotel
City:
ARL: Charleston. We’re so lucky to have a store there so visits are frequent.
CC: New York City
Bedding:
ARL: Matouk with embroidery by Courtland & Co
CC: Boll & Branch
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it):
ARL: Flat White (coffee all day!)
CC: Sadly, caffeine and I don’t get along.
Playlist:
ARL: Sam Cooke with a side of Jay Z
CC: Pearl Jam and Paul Simon
Weekend Activity:
ARL: Being outdoors with the kids
CC: A long walk
Design Book:
ARL: So hard to choose! Gil Schafer’s “The Great American House” is definitely a favorite.
CC: Pierce and Ward’s “A Tale of Interiors”