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
A wonderful rug makes a room feel complete, and lately we’ve been inspired by luxurious patterns.
While it’s not brand new, we’re loving the Florence Broadhurst collection for Cadry’s Handwoven Rugs. The late Australian textile designer had a flair for the glamorous, and we think that a room with one of her rugs would really be something special.
The line can be purchased through Stacy Logan, 409 1st. Ave. S., (206) 937-3333.
from top left: Circles & Square, Horses Stampede, Honeycomb, Japanese Floral, Kabuki, Siam
January 20th, 2010
Home of fashion designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka, from the September 2009 issue of Elle Decor via High Street Market.
Via Amy Howard’s blog (she also collects laurel wreaths).
Quentin Bacon for Southern Accents via Stylecourt.
We love collections. Any everyday object can look chic when you gather it in multiples, and right now we’re loving vintage trophies. They don’t have to be expensive heirlooms—in fact, it’s the quirky ones that catch our eye. Maybe you will look for a certain type like dogs or tennis, or a metal-like silver or bronze (we mix them). What a triumph it will be when you come across one in your genre at a flea market!
Whether polished or patinated, a trophy or two on the shelf will always be a winning addition:
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18th c. loving cup, collection of large silverplate antique trophies, 1stdibs
And a trophy for the modern age:
Ceramic trophy by Yellow Owl Workshop, available at Far4.
January 18th, 2010
It’s 2010, and doesn’t it just feel fabulous? It’s a new decade, year, month and day—we’re already scheming for this year’s projects, and we’d like to approach them with a fresh perspective. White is wonderfully clean looking, so be inspired to create your own new look!
Harriet Lamp, Jayson Home & Garden; Massive Photograph of a Sea Urchin, Seattle’s Galen & Lowe Antiques, via 1stdibs
Niche 3-Drawer Dresser, West Elm; Clyde Mirror, Oly Studio
Staub La Cocotte Set, Anthropologie; 3-Piece Lotus Candleholder, cb2
January 5th, 2010
On our way to the Scrap event last Friday, Angela and I stopped off at Rob Roy—formerly The Viceroy—for a cocktail. Whether you’re a fan of the new decor, or you preferred the design scheme of The Viceroy, we were still inspired by the fun mix of glam ’70s furniture and funky accessories:
—Stacy Kendall
Here, we challenged ourselves to find furnishings that would allow us to "get the look" of Rob Roy:
Vivid wallpaper by Graham & Brown, clear and smoke 1970’s crystal chandelier by Venini
1970’s walnut and leather sling sofa, 1974 Gary Gutterman chrome coffee table
1970’s Curtis Jere wall sculpture, black patent wing chairs
1874 Oryx mounted horns
Rob Roy, 2332 2nd Ave., (206) 956-8423
November 16th, 2009
In 1879, the first successful test of Edison’s filament bulb was carried out, and we couldn’t be more thankful for that event! Now, not only do we rely on lights to illuminate our spaces, we look to them for design inspiration. Here are some of my all-time favorites:
—Stacy Kendall
Atlantis Chandelier, We Are All Made of Stars Chandelier
Tolomeo Lamp, Random Light
Bocci Pendants, Potence Lamp
November 12th, 2009
On Thursday, before we attended a special event at Anthropologie (that post to come), we dropped in to Barolo (1940 Westlake Ave., (206) 770-9000) for happy hour. It’s not a particularly new restaurant, but it has quite a reputation for its wonderful happy hour (and not to mention its delicious regular dining fare). Our food was fabulous, but we were even more entranced by the modern glam atmosphere. Look!
October 12th, 2009
On a recent trip to Ikea to buy some shelving for our pantry, we wandered into the "as is" section near the checkout. Usually, we skip this because we’re so exhausted from walking the entirety of the gigantic warehouse that we practically crawl towards the cafe for re-hydration and, okay, maybe some meatballs. This time, we threw caution to the wind and decided to take a peek—and we’re glad we did!
They had a huge box of unidentified metal parts, priced at $1 each. What was labeled as "scrap metal," has now been given a new identity as a magazine rack in our home!
Before:
After:
Almost everything has alternative uses, and we encourage you to find them!
September 16th, 2009
Since attending Project Runway, we’re still feeling fashion-y, so here’s some news that decor lovers and fashion aficionados alike will appreciate: shoes by Kartell! The famed Italian furniture manufacturer—maker of all things lucite (Philippe Starck’s iconic Louis Ghost Armchair, par example), has stunned us with its foray into fashion.
In collaboration with fashion brand .normaluisa, Kartell brings us the Glue Cinderalla flat:
Note the star on the heel!
Bright and happy, we’d love to skip down the street in these cheery chausseurs.
September 9th, 2009
The other day while shopping at one of our favorite vintage stores, Collective (5339 Ballard Ave., (206) 782-1900), the owner showed us something special that had just come in:
A fabulous set of early ’60s china that is probably one of a kind. It was made by Johann Haviland, though the designer is unknown.
We love it for its elegant and modernistic styling, and the gray and gold palette feels very contemporary. It would make a beautiful gift to a couple getting married, or to anyone who appreciates unique and special home decor! Or, to one Stacy Kendall, Market Editor.
August 20th, 2009
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