Posts filed under 'Design'
We attended the opening of Dixie Stark Home (616 S. Lucile St., 206-762-4747) on Friday and loved the new space and products. Made out of cargo containers, the combined boutique and office was warm and welcoming with a great mix of traditional and modern items. We spotted tigerlily and purple along with natural woods and lucite pieces. Plus, Stacy had a chance to catch up with the designer herself to hear about the new space. To watch Stacy’s interview, click HERE.




February 8th, 2010
After two and a half days at the furniture market, we had to get out in the city and see some of the permanent design destinations. No, not the Forum Shops at Caesar’s, but The Arts District near Fremont Street and modern-design mecca Unica Home. More on that shortly.
Attending the Vegas market was an eye-opening experience. To the casual observer, the retail experience is just about one store and its product. However, there is so much more that goes on in order to make it possible. The buying process isn’t just about choosing product, it’s also about finding good value, determining trends but staying true to your concept, forging relationships with reps and exhibitors and taking the time to travel to places like the World Market Center. Even more reason to support your local business owners—they put in a lot of work for you!
One of the highlights of the trip, for me, was meeting Bobby Berk of Bobby Berk Home. We were in the same showroom when I glanced at his name tag, and so I had to introduce myself. Berk lives in New York, where his first store opened (he is now in four states), and his company doesn’t seem to be slowing down! He couldn’t be nicer, and I will continue to read his blog and search the new products on his site for inspiration!
On the local front, we ran into Amir Radwan, owner of Couch (1230 Western Ave., 206-633-6108). He was there looking for some accessories to go into his store. We will look forward to those, and meanwhile, go check him out!
Here are some photos from our trip to Unica Home—any modern-design lover would go crazy:


Alessi display



We also sought out the Arts District, and found a fabulous, funky vintage shop called Retro Vegas. Here are some photos:

Orange sofa from a neighborhood model home from the ’50s.

An entirely salvaged pink retro kitchen!

I love the chrome bamboo and lucite-base coffee tables.

Only in Vegas!


Other highlights from the Arts District were The Funk House, The Attic and Brett Wesley gallery.
Well, Vegas was fun, but I’m glad to be back in the Northwest. Although I saw some great places for design, I don’t think it compares to the fabulous talent we have here in the Emerald City!
February 5th, 2010
Here is more from the Las Vegas Market!
Showrooms with more contemporary pieces are featuring modern furniture with flat-woven antique-style dhurrie and kilim rugs. Flat-weave rugs in general are showing strongly.
Cowhide rugs are also a popular look with both modern and traditional vignettes. Cowhide is just one example of the trend toward natural materials, such as horn, shell and unfinished wood. The mix of materials—wood, metal and glass—on a single piece is seen everywhere. Reclaimed wood and industrial fixtures dominate the new lines.

An amazing twig chandelier at Arteriors Home.

Elegant chinoiserie-style lamps and accessories at Arteriors Home.

Fabulous wood-and-acrylic table paired with a sophisticated leather sofa at Archetype.

I love this lamp from Arteriors Home!

Lovely modern outdoor furniture with a great twig table!

Awesome sofa at RVA Designs—nailheads always look great!

Look! Vintage trophies at Go Home, Ltd.
February 4th, 2010
World Market Center Las Vegas is the largest facility in the world featuring home and hospitality goods. This week, the center has attracted thousands of buyers, designers and furniture representatives from all over the globe, and I’m here hoping to get a sneak peek at all of the newest pieces that are carried in the city!

So far, I’ve been amazed by the breadth and depth of product at the market. The buildings are enormous and the showrooms are as eye-catching as possible. Some of the biggest exhibitors cater lunch and showcase sepctacular floral centerpieces—Vegas knows how to put on a show!
For trends right now, companies are showing a lot of neutrals and tone-on-tone patterns. As Pantone’s Color of the Year, turquoise pops up throughout but mostly in lighting and accessories.
Take a look at my finds from the past two days and I’ll be back tomorrow with even more:

Sophisticated style at 18 Karat.

More neutrals to love at 18 Karat.

A colorful entrance at Cyan Design.

A creative window on the contemporary furniture floor.

A cool installation at the Four Hands showroom.

Colorful lamp bases at the Robert Abbey showroom.
February 3rd, 2010
Today we’re inspired by two different, but equally gorgeous, tablescapes. One is a setting for a formal affair and pits deep purples and blues against a clean background of white and silver. The other is more intimate, with homemade sweets and black-and-white china for an oh-so-chic feel. Take a look and get inspired!

Photo by Jessica Claire. Design by Lollipop Events & Designs. Image from Style Me Pretty.


Florentine Silver dinnerware, Arte Italica; U+ Collection Mixalabra candle holder, $400 at Umbra.

Somrig vase, $1.99 each at IKEA; Diana arrangement, Willow & Bloom.


Stretch vase, $29.95 at CB2; Matilda vase, $29.95 at Crate and Barrel.

Styling by Heather Christotholou. Image from HeatherChristo.com.


Victoriana Noir collection, $30–$40 at Rosanna.


Monogrammed mugs, missus, $6 each at Anthropologie; Medium star jewelry box, $350 at Barneys New York.


Juliska Harriet black goblets, $260 for set of four at Neiman Marcus; Rococo Noir pedestal, $45 at Rosanna.
January 26th, 2010

Calder in his Roxbury icehouse studio at work on Project for Mechanical Ballet (A14999)
for Harrison Kerr, 1934, image courtesy of the Calder Foundation
The exhibition on Mid-Century artist, Alexander Calder—currently showing at the Seattle Art Museum—offers a range of the artist’s work from 1927 through the mid-1970s. Attributed as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Calder created works on paper, but is mostly known for his large-scale modern sculptures and wire mobiles.
His sculptures have become icons of Modernism, and we found the perfect way to infuse the look into your home—without the price of buying a masterpiece.
Danish company, Flendsted mobiles, has been producing modern mobiles since 1954, and we think they are a unique addition to any modern home. Many of the designs come in multiple color choices, or have interchangeable parts. They don’t require a lot of hardware, and at prices from under one hundred, to a couple hundred dollars, it’s an inexpensive way to make a large impact.
Here are just some of the mobiles from Flensted’s extensive product line:


from top left: Futura, Circles and Squares, Flowing Rhythm, Life & Thread
And our favorite (and of course, most expensive at $459):

Black Rhythm
Locally, Flensted is carried at KOAP Home in Kirkland, and Velocity Art & Design in Seattle.
Alexander Calder: A Balancing Act is on now through April 10, 2010 at the Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st. Ave., (206) 654-3100, seattleartmuseum.org.
January 22nd, 2010
Our Room of the Day is from a fabulously chic and colorful home in Seattle (read the story HERE). We love the fearless mix of bold prints and classic design pieces. The look is unexpected and unique.

Photo by Alex Hayden

Photo by Alex Hayden
To achieve your own eclectic style, pair vintage finds with modern staples. Go big with bright prints on upholstered pieces, rugs and wallpaper. Or try clustering accessories of a similar type or color to make a statement. Here’s what we love to help get this eclectic look:


Bertoia Bird lounge chair and ottoman, KnollStudio; British antique modern couch, MetroSofa.


Platner armchair in moss mohair, $2,681 from Design Within Reach; Capri bottle lamp in blue, $275 from Jonathan Adler.


Elizabeth wallpaper in brown, $60 a bolt from Graham & Brown; decorative cushion in violet with green dots, $55 from BoConcept.


Assorted large letter sign, $325 from Area 51 on Bond and Bowery; angled glass vases, $41 each from Whimsy Home Décor & Unique Gifts.
January 19th, 2010
It’s another day of Seattle rain and gloom (surprise, surprise), but we’re trying to be positive and make our own sunshine by sharing fabulous pieces from Shine by S.H.O. (formerly Shine Home). We absolutely love the new collection—which features the oh-so-chic hues of turquoise and citron yellow—and admire the bold mix of vintage and modern styles. Enjoy!

The Lola chair is a glamorous wing back with nailhead trim; hand-knit flowers from Italy add a sweet touch to the simple-but-stylish Grace ottoman.

Contoured surfaces make the Casablanca 6 Drawer chests stand out; we love the lace-inspired trim on the Shanghai console.


The Metropolitan pendant channels art deco elegance while the Catalonia small chandelier is boho chic with lacquer beads.
Shine by S.H.O. is available at these local retailers:
Revival Home & Garden
1517 12th Ave.
(206) 763-3886
Veritables
2806 E. Madison St.
(206) 322-7782
January 11th, 2010
OK, we’ve had just about enough of this thing called winter. To give us all something to look forward to, we think it’s the perfect time to dive into a fantasy and dream up a warm, beachy tablescape. Ahhh, we can taste the piña coladas now…
Bench seating is intimate, casual and for a dinner party on the beach, Modern Farm dining bench, $299 from West Elm.

Keep the casual atmosphere with a simple white open-weave table runner, $55 from Chilewich; we love the simplicity of the Edda carafes, $38 from Anthropologie.

Open bowls with sea salt and pepper are unfussy and intimate, Placid salt and pepper cellars with tray, $45 from Neiman Marcus; we love the organic feel of the Rim Line, $16.50–$34.75 from Heath Ceramics.


Cluster sea-foam candles on wood tray for a laid-back centerpiece, Butari Grand tray, $59.95 from Crate and Barrel, Tindra Mys scented candles, $9.99 for a pack of 3 from IKEA.
January 8th, 2010
Turquoise—it’s the color that reminds us of tropical waters, peacock feathers and the infamous Tiffany box. Now the hue has one more thing to boast about. Pantone, the authority on all things color, named turquoise the 2010 Color of the Year. We’re already embracing this winning shade, and we hope that you’ll give it a try too! —Rachel Gallaher

Add aqua elegance to any room with this crystal drop chandelier, $998 at Anthropologie; the UO Rag Rug gives a room some bohemian flair, $58 at Urban Outfitters.

This versatile bowl can be used as a number of things: a jewelry dish, a mini planter and even a cereal bowl, Spot bowl, $32 from Perch! Design; a classic chair gets an edgy new look, Donovan wing chair, $2,279 at Neiman Marcus.

Punch up your daily routine with the bold Sanni shower curtain, $9.99 at IKEA; for just a taste of turquoise, try the Alfie candleholder, $2.95 at Crate and Barrel.
January 7th, 2010
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