Spring Edition

Spring is a time for birth, renewal, freshness, and the amazing energy that comes from seeing bright green leaves unfurl and fragrant blossoms bursting with their tempting scents!  I have been so inspired lately by the lengthening and warming days - and it seems like there is a lot that's fresh and exciting on the design & fashion scene, too:

GR Home/University Village neighborhood

Brainchild of Graciela Rutkowski and overseen by the stellar Diana Paradis, this breathtakingly beautiful store is a necessary indulgence.

Not only does GR Home have gorgeous wares (found objects, the best furniture for all rooms in the home, unique accessories) but these women are obviously having fun.  Shopping here is a mini party - but all business, of course.

Many of the lines we designers have come to know and love are found here:  Lee, Hickory Chair, Rosanna, Arte Italica, and a bevy of stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces.

Gracious House to Home

Near GR Home is Gracious House to Home - wonderful "almost antique"furniture, jewelry, vintage table wear - there's a lot to decide among here.  Tracy and Deirdre are knowledgeable and friendly - great stuff!  Gracious House to Home, near U Village.

Altstadt Interiors


I've written before about this jam-packed consignment store and interior design firm, also near U Village (is there a trend here?) and their incredible finds.   But time to revisit!

I recently helped my son furnish his 100-year old studio apartment near downtown Seattle (more on that in a subsequent post) almost entirely from Altstadt Interiors:  this Deco bed frame, a vintage 9 x 12 Oriental rug (virtually wall-to-wall in his space), deco sofa, etc.  Budgets were spared and it was an adventure in shopping!

  
Inspiring Fashion

Not to rush things, since summer isn't even here yet, but I am head over heels in love with this look for fall 2012 from Dior: 

....and this current "Street Chic" item spotted on the streets of Paris by Elle Decor...

Details

For those who love innovative design as well as traveling abroad, some of the most fun pages to peruse are found at MODULE-R.com.  Are these the most exuberant dual voltage adapters, or what?  And they'd be easy to find in luggage.....

 Or, how about this Highland Court fabrics advertisement?  Stunning!

Books

I'm intrigued by a new design book called, "Be your own decorator", by Susanna Salk, published by Rizzoli.

My eye was initially caught by the cover because it's actually the same photo - of a Paris apartment, naturellement! - that I ripped from a magazine and pasted to my Vision Board a while back.

But this excerpt from Ms Salk drew me in:  "Unlike many artists in other mediums, interior designers never hoard their secrets.  They are a gloriously generous bunch, much more concerned with making the world a more beautiful and livable place than worrying about whose idea it was to put that vase over there."

Mais, oui!

Neighborhood Beat: Madrona - Update

I wrote about the Madrona neighborhood back in September of 2010 and gushed about the funky charm of its little commercial area.  Since then, there have been some changes and updates - and other news I just want to share!   

A welcome newcomer to 34th Street is Guesthouse, Kate Sehulster's stylish little gem!  Guesthouse carries a mix of vintage and new furniture and accessories, books, fabric, rugs, garden accessories, found objects - a little bit of everything you need for a chic nest!  Look for a very interesting new store opening next to Guesthouse in the near future.

Last fall, I wrote about June restaurant.  Recently, I've had a chance to eat there several times and, I must say, the food is - fabulous! Featuring updated Parisian bistro fare:  steak/frites, French wines and cremant by the glass and an incredibly inventive chef (green apple prawn cocktail, pureed cucumber gazpacho with coriander cream, tempura fiddlehead ferns) - it's all thrillingly delicious!

In personnel news, our friend, Jef Fike (owner of the bygone  - and justly lamented - Cassis Bistro on Capital Hill) is now the catering director at another fave Madrona eatery, St Cloud's.  We have never had anything short of a stellar meal there.  And their catering menu is enormous - can't wait to partner with Jef on an event!

Sadly, another Madrona business I mentioned fondly in September, has departed Madrona.  I'm very sorry to see Decor on 34th go.... 

Make an excursion to this charming neighborhood by the lake for unique shopping and fabulous food!

Thom Filicia book signing

 The professional design organization of which I'm currently president, Northwest Society of Interior Designers, teamed up with Masins Furniture recently for an informal gathering with Thom Filicia, formerly a star of Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy".  Elle Decor magazine described Mr Filicia as "affable" and I can tell you, he is!  What an approachable, friendly fellow!

He willingly signed many copies of his new book, "Thom Filicia STYLE" (in mine: "big kiss!" - I was pretty proud, but then I found out he wrote the same thing in the others..... oh well!).  The book is loaded with photos, humorous anecdotes, and practical decor tips.  Proceeds from its sale go toward breast cancer research and awareness, a subject close to his heart.

 Masins had plenty of Thom's furniture designs and fabrics from Kravet on hand.  Love the Ikat-inspired prints, above.

We seemed to hit it off splendidly - but I think that just might be the way he is........

Style on a shoestring - Assisted Living apartment

How can one bring style and beauty  - not to mention warmth - to a generic vanilla assisted living apartment in 2 weeks, and include a Tempurpedic memory foam mattress (definitely the priciest component),  for under $4500?   It was a scramble, but we pulled it together by hanging family photos as wall art and sourcing items from Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Ballard Designs, and Altstadt Interiors, a Seattle homewares consignment shop.  

The end result is a cozy and welcoming refuge for a woman who is losing her memories......

..... the reading alcove, before:

....... and after......

..... from this......

......to this...... 

She appreciates the transformation....and feels comfortable here.  Alzheimer's is a devastating disease and whatever I can do to make it a little easier for my mother is worth it.

The Chronicles of Alliance Wellness' fabulous new office - Finale

Dr Viv and the staff of Alliance Wellness moved into the new office in late July.  Not everything was totally finished, but it was complete enough for them to able to provide the stellar patient care they are known for!

It's almost hard to believe that what is now this:

.....was once this:

The floors are cork in a bamboo pattern, the gem-like, custom counter top was fabricated by local company, Novustone,  from concrete and recycled glass.

There are light-filtering panels atop the interior walls, featuring grasses pressed between layers of resin,  made by Lumicor, a local company.

Abundant storage for patient records was provided by local company, Organized Spaces.

But what really sets this medical office apart and infuses it with a spa-like, almost zen aura, lives in the details:

.... billowing, sheer, azure drapery panels and Roman Shade, which can be glimpsed in the photo, above, and at the top.....
......porcelain wall sconces in massage/acupuncture treatment rooms.....

......rectangular mirror-framed mirror and square sink in the bathroom....

 ......grass weave shades in the front offices..... 

.....bright, interesting fabric on the lumbar-supporting pillows....

....gorgeous designer wallpaper throughout.

It's a beautiful, warm, welcoming space that just begs to be lingered in, whether one is injured or just in need of a pampering massage!

Focus on Design 2010

The Northwest Society of Interior Designers' Puget Sound Chapter, the professional design organization of which I'm the current President, is kicking off Design Awareness Month this October by hosting Focus  on Design 2010!
 

Focus on Design 2010 will take place at the Seattle Design Center on October 1st & 2nd.  The event will provide the local and regional design community with opportunities for growth, networking and education.  The 2-day conference features 16 unique, fun, and informative seminars as well as hands-on training sessions.  Attendees will be exposed to one-of-a-kind local artisans, businesses & suppliers at the "Hidden Local Gems Showcase".  Friday evening will end with a cocktail party hosted by The Catherine Person Gallery.  Saturday offers additional seminars as well as exciting architectural tours by The Seattle Architecture Foundation. The tours will be followed in the afternoon with champagne and sweets at SDC.  Mark your calendar now, and subscribe for weekly updates via e-mail at waysandmeans@nwsid.net. You won’t want to miss this exciting event!  Find detailed information on seminars, speakers, sponsors and scheduling visit the NWSID website.  See you there!

Our partners include: Seattle Homes & Lifestyles magazine, AIA Seattle, NKBA Puget Sound Chapter, The Seattle Design Center & The Seattle Architecture Foundation. 

The Northwest Society of Interior Designers, established in 1977, is a non-profit regional organization of interior designers dedicated to promoting excellence in design.

Neighborhood beat: Madrona

One of Seattle's lesser-known, ultimately walkable neighborhoods with a small town vibe hugs the westerly slope adjacent to Lake Washington, between Leschi and Denny Blaine.  (Many Seattleites who are not longtime residents might not know that Denny Blaine is the neighborhood just south of Madison Park/Washington Park....)  It's funky, stylish, artsy, and homey, all at the same time.

For food lovers, there are many delicious choices.  Some of my personal favorites are St Cloud's, where I've had only absolutely mouth-wateringly wonderful food.....

....the recently opened June - French wines and innovative ingredient pairings....

 .....the local institution, Hi Spot Cafe, elegant bistro Dulces Latin Bistro , the newish Bottlehouse Tasting Bar and, of course, amazing cupcakes and espresso at Verite Coffee and Cupcake Royale!

For home furnishings and accessories, I love browsing - and buying! -  at Decor on 34th ....

.....or the Glassybaby  store and hotshop.

One of my favorite jewelry designers, Xenia Callahan, combines vintage chains, stones and baubles in new and wonderful ways, and is featured at Hitchcock, a chic and charming boutique. 

And last, but certainly not least, of my faves is the kitschy, warm, welcoming canine wonderland of Fetch Doggie Daycare and Grooming.  My dog, Samantha, (you can catch a glimpse of her in the window, above) LOVES spending time at Fetch!  When I pick her up, not only is she beautifully groomed but she's happily exhausted from running, jumping, and playing - her favorite activities!   Below is a shot of the check-in area - how fun is that?.....

Madrona has something for just about anyone - check it out!