March, 2009 - Browsing by month

A delightful story profiles Watson Kennedy this month in Home Accents Today. Described as a ‘creative country gentlemen’, Ted Kennedy Watson, owns three Watson Kennedy shops in Seattle. First in his home and then later in a wholesale showroom in the Seattle Market Center, Watson created a distinct interpretation relished by others.

His first location, still there, opened for business in the heart of the city’s historic Pike Place Market, in a building with a picture window overlooking Puget Sound. Watson selects all of his merchandise, new and vintage, and enjoys reconnecting with old friends at the markets and trade shows.

Watson also buys tons of vintage furnishings and accessories for each of the shops, and travels each year to England and France in search of one-of-a-kind objects. He’s also very specific about the look and feel of his shops, which are characterized by highly visual, quality displays designed to tempt the senses. “The overall look and experience is fairly Old World.”

His customers are described as well-traveled, well-educated creative souls who are looking to fill their homes with special and one-of-a-kind items.

“Core to my business strategy is offering something beautiful to everyone, no matter their wallet. Someone can leave with a beautifully wrapped $6 bar of soap or a $4,000 table. Both customers are treated the same, get the same wrapping and attention. Overall, I would say our average price point is $25.”

Watson prides himself on the one-of-a-kind shopping experience offered at Watson Kennedy and says if everyone else is doing it, he heads in the other direction. “My biggest compliment from a customer is when they say they have never been in a shop quite like mine — then I know I am on the right track.”

Tags: Accessories, decorating, interiors, resource, Seattle, style, vintage
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Sometimes I encounter rooms with little usable wall space. Typically space is challenging to begin with and then there is a window wall, a closet wall and the door entrance so furniture placement is difficult. I prefer not to place the bed opposite the door for privacy reasons. When this situation occurs I utilize the corner of the room and make it a focal point of the room.

In this photo you see an example of a corner bed placement. Here are some key principles to keep in mind to make this design treatment successful.

• Divert attention from the corner by using a monochromatic color scheme on the walls and bed coverings.
• Maintain the color symmetry with subtle differences in your choice of floor coverings whether carpet or rugs.
• Allow the window treatments to support but not compete with the corner placement. Keep them simple but functional and attractive.
• Reinforce the asymmetry of the bed placement by mixing elements like the lamps or tables. One or the other should match but not both.

Finally, it makes no difference if the style is traditional, modern or contemporary. Maintain the balance and consider the visual weight when you situate the bed in the corner for a pleasing design statement and the best use of the space available.

Tags: decorating, design challenges, design with corners, Furniture, Seattle
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from the archives of my blog -

Remodeling, re-furnishing and re-arranging what you already have are definite solutions for a fresh new look in your home. I find my clients are spending more time at home and tweaking what they own is a big boost to their mood and budget. That’s why I recommend a specifically selected design application with a defined cost which works like a restaurant menu.

I call these packages Design Ala Carte Solutions.

Homeowners today consider a remodel as a solution to upgrading their surroundings. Selecting a great team of designer, architect, and contractor are essential for a smooth process. However, refurnishing and redesigning existing rooms is a more immediate and less costly solution to a complete remodel. For example, you could reupholster a favorite chair.

Another option is to rearrange your furniture and make your space flow more functionally. A new arrangement creates fresh appeal in your room. An interior designer can rearrange major pieces, edit what you already have or suggest simple additions.

Accessories add fresh interest and are an inexpensive way to bring new life to old tired spaces. Simply swap out art and accessories in rooms and change the look and style of a room without major changes or expense. Showcase an existing collection and add to it. Make sure the style is one you really like and enjoy. Stay clear of clutter, and carefully select. Less is more. Use a few important pieces rather than many smaller items.

Check out these one time Design Solution Packages

One time consultation package… $350.00
Averages about one hour to 1½-2 hrs and includes advice on your home from a design point of view. Recommendations to refresh the look and image of your spaces, color, light, furniture and space plan are discussed in a general way. This is followed by a written recommendation emailed to the client.

Re-accessorize and Re-place… working with your existing art and accessories, we arrive at your home and suggest, rearrange and place your existing art and accessories for their optimum visual impact. Also included is re-placement of home furnishings $400.00 for two hours

Color consultation… We professionally select specific colors that work best in your environment to evoke the feeling that you want. Interiors and exteriors can look new and updated with the correct color choices. Includes color samples and placement recommendations $250.00

Questions? Comments? contact Faith design@faithsheridan.com

Tags: Accessories, economize, recycle, redecorate, refresh your home, Seattle, staging
Posted in Ideas and Inspirations | 1 Comment »

From GAB

Youngsters need space. The secret is not the size of the room but how well it is furnished. The bedrooms of the GAB collection have been studied to leave room for creativity, mixing style and functionality. Whether it provides a lively personality to the bedroom or finds the best solution for a bedroom for two, GAB is capable of satisfying all the needs for design and practicalities. For the first time aimed at single youngsters who feel the need for independence and choose to live in their own space in complete liberty.

The pictured bedroom adds an organization system that’s age appropriate. A bedroom should be peaceful and that translates into uncluttered. I feel it’s important to keep everything organized and it also starts training habits of organization and neatness for parent and child.

Select organization bins so that they’re appropriate for the child who will be using them. For small children, organizational bins should be low to the ground.

In this photo, the bedroom grows up for adaptive use and introduces features a desk, a lounge-like daybed, and sophisticated colors taking on a teen look.

These bedrooms are made by GAB, an Italian furniture manufacturer. The manufacture a great collection of contemporary children’s bedrooms.

More tips.

Tags: children's furniture, contemporary
Posted in Ideas and Inspirations | 2 Comments »

This share a link is a special friend and colleague, Collette Collins. She exudes talent and passion for her craft and numerous national awards concur about her originality and artistry. Visiting her facility in SODO lifts your spirits and excites your imagination with possibilities to create original pieces of furniture.

“Each of my pieces has a core, a soul. Every piece is connected to the environment around it, and there is a dialogue between the natural world and the hand-made object.” - Collette Collins

ADEX stands for Awards for Design Excellence and is the largest and most prestigious awards program for product design of furniture, fixtures and finishes marketed to the design trade.

Both of Collette’s pieces below are ADEX Gold Winners 2008. On the left is the Paisley Rocking Chair and on the right a Standing Floor Lamp

In keeping with her commitment to environmental sustainability, Collette ensures that no scrap of material goes unused. She often uses salvaged materials in her work, recycles excess bits of wood or fabric from one piece to another, and almost always uses a plywood core to save the exotic materials for the exterior.

Collette describes her work as “American Bohemian” and is proud of her commitment to traditional woodworking methods. There are no computerized tools in her studio; she relies on a combination of old-world craftsmanship and modern tools to create her designs.

Collette brings extraordinary craftsmanship to her work: each piece stands alone as a unique piece of functional sculpture designed specifically to meet the needs of her clients. She works the wood in unusual ways, bending and adding texture with wire brushes, chip carving and band saws to add visual appeal and contrast.

Collette studied Fine Arts at Cabrillo College and San Francisco State University and spent many years as a set designer within the film industry. Her talent has been featured in more than 15 films, including “Sleepless in Seattle” and “The Vanishing.” A practicing Buddhist, a discipline that provides inspiration and encourages patience, Collette believes spirituality plays an important role in her creativity.

6355 6th Ave South
Seattle, WA 98108

Tags: artisan, design, Furniture, Seattle
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