October, 2009 - Browsing by month

As an expert Seattle interior designer, I follow leading blogs thus staying in touch with my industry and the voices of the same. According to Steve Nobel, “We all know that interior design is not just about ‘taste’ or ‘an eye.’ It’s education, experience, imagination and skill that creates harmony in a client’s life.” In a clever post, he noted the characteristics necessary for an aspiring interior designer to make it in the ‘new’ economy. Whether aspiring or seasoned these traits seem critical to me.

clairvoyant: a “fresh set of eyes” to know what clients want before they know it.

conjurer: to make dream believers out of clients, so when they say, “I never would have thought of that,” you say, “I did.”

couturier: like ‘made to measure’ apparel, everything a designer does is custom fitted to a client.

confidant: to listen well, really well, for the revealing cues to do what’s right for clients.

counselor: a neutral 3rd party between romantic partners to take some of the pressure off decision-making.

advocate: for a client’s cause throughout the entire process; they have probably made mistakes before, which can be discouraging and expensive!

navigator: to chart the course for successful results, in spite of misgivings clients carry with them, or have not been able to resolve on their own.

co-creator: leader of a team that brings the best ideas to the top of the list.

curator: honest and experienced editor; you know what belongs and can make the tough choices about what does not belong.

systems engineer: staying the course in strict phases; managing the subcontractors, making site visits in boots while balancing budgets and timelines.

techie: able to incorporate a myriad of technology for entertaining, healthy living, and all the new ways of living well.

concierge: the ‘go-to’ person for just about everything (florists, caterers, clubs, schools, etc.), including special access to special things in special places.

Wishing you had a friend in the design business right now? We’re here to help, and fast.

Tags: expert Seattle interior designer, interior design in new economy, traits for interior designers
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Over a year or so ago I started to use tape trim on chairs for a fresh interior design detail. As an interior designer I check out my subscriptions and notice them liberally applied in magazine photos. Tapes are a departure from welts and stuffy gimp.

At Hickory Chair I provide a drawing to customize upholstered dining chairs for my clients such a as the chair shown. Each chair design is distinctive and are hand made according to my specifications. Suzanne Kasler’s Amsterdam Side Chair featured above is antique ivory covered with natural linen and pink grosgrain ribbon secured with petite nail trim spaced every third nail in lieu of welt trim.

Samuel & Sons Passementerie is a leading importer, designer, and distributor of fine trims for interior design. Exclusive collections are created with materials such as silk, wool, glass and jade. Samuel & Sons is headquartered in New York City and was founded in 1982.

The next time you consider recovering upholstery let your imagination take hold and turn to tapes as a decorative element.

Tags: design detail, passementerie, Seattle interior designer, trims for upholstery
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Seattle is home for many companies, including this expert Seattle interior designer. Most everyone know about Microsoft, Amazon, Expedia and our sports teams the Mariners and Seahawks. There are some very special lesser known companies too, like Glassybaby. I was so pleased to see them featured in the Home and Garden section of the NY Times today. I discovered them in 2004 and love them as housewarming gifts, thank yous and celebrations of all kinds.

According to the story in the NYTimes, “The company’s first store outside of Seattle will open on Oct. 29 in the West Village. And in keeping with its policy, 10 percent of all sales will go to charity.”

There is a special story about Glassybaby and its founder, Lee Rhodes. Glassybaby originated after Lee, a mother of three, learned she had lung cancer in 1998. To relieve her husband’s stress, she bought him glass blowing lessons and he began to make votives, which she later started selling.

Available in more than 300 deep colors, in a gently rounded form that enhances the appearance of the flame, Glassybaby votives are seen all around Seattle in restaurants especially where the color is chosen to fit the scheme of the business. Learn more about Glassybaby here. Start a collection and use them this holiday season as your new tradition. You’re supporting a great cause at the same time. You can order online too.

Tags: expert Seattle interior designer, glassybaby, home and garden, housewarming gifts, ny times
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On Sunday, as a curious interior designer, I first peruse the insert into the Seattle Times, Pacific Northwest Magazine. I am seldom disappointed and among the features this week was a story about a home built in 1902. Love this lead in.

ON MAY 24, 1902, Seattle’s Daily Bulletin carried the notice that “Boone and Corner have recently let to Shannon, White and Middleton the contract for erecting a residence for Judge Stratton in the Denny-Blaine addition. This house, which will have 10 rooms, will cost $7,000. In design it is one of the most attractive in the city. It is expected that the building will be finished in four months.”

In the 100+ years since, numerous owners added layers of paint, their personal inspirations and neglect prior to new owners adding love to this home. With the capable assistance of the architects at Sullivan Conard this home now achieves status for classic details and modern enhancements.

Notice how deliberately the team honored the elements and details and remained true to the vision of the family now enjoying their family at the address.

Read the complete feature article and view all the images.

Tags: 1902 home restoration, expert Seattle interior designer, pacific northwest magazine
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Paula Grace nominated me for this award. Thank you Paula. And it comes with some responsibilities and opportunities.

Paula, I am honored to be in such company! And what a clever idea to promote blogs we love.

Paula contributes wonderful posts and also is a frequent commenter on other blogs. That’s how I came to follow her.

I have been asked to tell you seven things about myself that folks don’t know and nominate seven wonderful blogs for this award. What fun!

Seven things about me:

1. Grew up in a small town in NW Iowa where my mother was a teacher and my father provided the bold green John Deere tractors to the farmers in the area.

2. Whether raking leaves into room arrangements or creating snow homes, I early on adapted my interior design skills to the resources available.

3. My aspirations for a career in design came to fruition after an advanced degree in psychology and work in the inner city as a school psychologist.

4. I am passionate about ballet and love Seattle for the amazing opportunity to see the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

5. Whenever possible I immerse myself in cooking and wine opportunities via local or international.

6. Travel, art museums and people are my inspirations for my interior design.

7. I cherish my wonderful daughter, Keegan, who lights up my life.

Next I must select seven blogs to nominate… such a challenge but here goes.

1. Vincente Wolf Blog

2. Living in Color With Sonu

3. AliciaBDesigns

4.MaisonClassique

5. LitShades

6. Decorology

7. UrbanLifeStyleDecor

Tags: expert Seattle interior designer, Kreativ Blog Nomination
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