C for Creativity: Simone Meissl on Rituals and Flow

At C•SOL, the “C” has always stood for coffee and community. But it also holds space for something more — creativity. Creativity shapes the way we live, connect, and see the world around us. It’s in the quiet rituals, the colors we choose, and the stories we share.
With our new series, we celebrate the people who embody this spirit. Friends and collaborators who remind us that creativity is not a single moment, but a daily practice, a way of noticing, and a rhythm of life.
We begin with Simone Meissl — creative director, designer, and co-founder of @studioiubar, @meisslopenairsolutions, and @salziruns. Through her work and rituals, Simone shows us how creativity flows into every corner of her day, always accompanied by her loyal companion, Juna — and of course, a cappuccino.

Creativity at the Heart of C•SOL

At C•SOL, the “C” has always stood for coffee and community. But we believe it also holds space for creativity — the spark that shapes how we live, connect, and make meaning in our daily lives. Creativity doesn’t need to be loud or grand. Often, it shows up in the quiet gestures of everyday life: in the way we prepare our first cup of coffee, the objects we surround ourselves with, or the rituals that help us stay grounded. With this new series, we celebrate people who embody that spirit. Friends and collaborators who live with intention and remind us that creativity is not a single act, but a rhythm woven into each day.

Person holding a pen over a book on a desk with a cup of coffee with latte art and computer keyboard

Wooden desk with a red vase, green coffee mug, and potted plant under a skylight.

Person working at a desk in a home office setting

Wooden bench with a beige bag and orange coffee boxes on top

A Nature that Creates

At C•SOL, the “C” has always stood for coffee and community. But we believe it also holds space for creativity — the spark that shapes how we live, connect, and make meaning in our daily lives. Creativity doesn’t need to be loud or grand. Often, it shows up in the quiet gestures of everyday life: in the way we prepare our first cup of coffee, the objects we surround ourselves with, or the rituals that help us stay grounded. With this new series, we celebrate people who embody that spirit. Friends and collaborators who live with intention and remind us that creativity is not a single act, but a rhythm woven into each day.

Daily Joys and Small Companions

Woman standing in a home office holding a green mug.

Colours, Materials, and the Outdoors

Some creative obsessions never fade, no matter how much our work evolves. For Simone, it is colour coordination, material fascination, and the elements of the outdoors. These themes run like threads through her practice, showing up in both her professional and personal worlds. Nature plays an important role here, not only as a source of visual inspiration but also as a reminder of balance. To stay grounded when life feels chaotic, Simone makes space for what many overlook: play, and even nothingness. In these unstimulated moments, creativity has room to breathe.

Coffee as Ritual

Coffee plays a central role in Simone’s creative flow. Her day begins with a cappuccino — always. This ritual marks the transition into her work, sparking the energy needed to explore ideas and bring projects to life. For her, coffee is less about fuel and more about rhythm: a moment that signals the start of something new and sets the tone for the hours ahead.

A Home Full of Stories

Her home is filled with pieces gathered from travels, each one carrying memories and stories. Among these “stations of life,” coffee finds its place as both a grounding anchor and a companion to reflection. While her best ideas often arrive outdoors in movement rather than over a cup, coffee remains her steady partner — a pause in the day that allows presence and energy to return.

Flowing States of Work and Life

For Simone, there is no sharp divide between coffee-at-home mode and deep-creative-work mode. The two flow naturally into each other, blurring the boundaries of daily life. Coffee is always nearby, not as a tool of separation but as a ritual of continuity. It connects the small moments with the bigger arcs of creative work.

Woman sitting on a couch holding a mug with books stacked in front her on the couch table

The Lightness of Creativity

When asked to translate her favorite coffee into a color, texture, or
shape, Simone laughs and admits it’s not that deep for her. And maybe
that’s the beauty of it. Creativity doesn’t always require definition or
explanation. Sometimes it’s enough to live it — in the ritual of a
cappuccino, in the presence of a dog named Juna, and in the freedom to
let play and nothingness make space for inspiration to appear.