For this Seattle interior designer, city living equals a condominium. Call it downsizing or urban living, it equates to less space. In a recent project the solution to condo clutter came with vertical solutions from California Closets. In this 1000 sf downtown Seattle view condo, the guest bedroom was also the office, a common situation. How to store files and still offer guests a place to land for a visit? What? no linen closet for extra towels, comforter, blankets?

For this project, the solution arrived in the form of maximizing vertical wall space within the condo. Let’s start with the guest/home office closet. First the client sorted out essential office requirements for space and files and then guest needs like bed size, a table and lamp and closet.

When I received the request to join a panel this Wednesday at the Kravet Seattle showroom, I pinched myself again. As a Seattle interior designer, I reminded myself of all the benefits I enjoy because of social media.

My friends, professional and personal, increase every day. Sometimes we meet at distant places from Seattle such as High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina or at special events like Blogfest in NYC. Frequently it’s close to home which is even more special.

At the presentation this week, I know the question to ask is, “What has social media done for your business?” I will tell them it’s immeasurable and somewhat surreal. My communication circle grows and grows.. and not with superficial ‘likes’ or ‘follows’. Of course, those are available and present but so are the sincere, real connections I’ve made over my 3 year immersion into the swirl of social media via my blog, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Pinterest.

I so appreciate the support and generosity of this medium. In particular, I salute Kravet for one of my ultimate design experiences last May at Blogfest 2011. Talk about exceeding expectations! The editors of leading design magazines, the Kravet family, Barbara Barry and a tour of Kravet headquarters up front and personal. LOVED it all. See my photo below with Barbara Barry as part of this amazing event.

If you’re in Seattle on Wednesday this week, I hope you’ll come to the Seattle Design Center and Kravet Showroom. Love to hear your questions and meet you in social media.

It’s a perfect time to begin to plan your outdoor space in Bellevue or Seattle for summer relaxing. To tease you, I have a before and after created for a Bellevue interior design client. Here’s their description, “In the Somerset neighborhood of south Bellevue, we wanted to maximize the spa feeling our home afforded. Built in 1964, the home has an indoor sauna installed by the original owners. When we bought it in 2003, we added a hot tub under the deck just outside the sauna. And we self-designed the hot tub area. The result is a covered, well lit, easy-to-access and easy-to-maintain spa area that extends from sauna to hot tub and gets frequent use by the homeowners. However, the spa area seems sterile and lacks a feeling of inviting warmth and true privacy.”

They heard about the possibilities of using a Design Visualization service and turned to Faith Sheridan, of Faith Sheridan Design Group to find out more. My team includes 3D For All, a Seattle based design visualization company headed by Mary Curley, an accredited Interior Designer herself. I partner regularly with Mary Curley to provide Design Visualization services to homeowners around the country. Faith chose to use Gloster Furniture and materials because of their design leadership and high quality products. What do you think of this result?

Start now to plan for summer relaxing and entertaining. We offer a complementary 30 minute Skype call for the next 30 days. Call us 206.973.3743

Thanks to Bellevue Arts Museum for feeding design addicts a stellar exhibit from George Nelson. As a Bellevue interior designer, I was in design heaven to see up front his thoughtful contributions to our lives. Abstract forms, curvilinear shapes, industrial materials all reflected George Nelson’s belief in designs that provide function with feeling.

Curator Nora Atkinson at BAM noted Nelson “sought solutions for the use and user instead of copying previous design” and always thought of ways to make his home or office designs “user friendly and emotionally available.”

Did you know that George Nelson introduced the L-shaped desk? the slat wood bench? What about his clocks?

One of my favorite finds at this excellent exhibit is this motto:

Explore our services as you create your nest.. from modern to traditional. Call us today, 206.973.3743

First, a confession from Faith, your Seattle interior designer. I am happy in a room with anything RED. Red sparks my creative spirit, ups my energy and warms me in all the good ways. February is the month of love and passion ~ and RED. I prefer to associate RED with hugs, hearts and happiness. I am SO happy in a room with anything red!

Faith’s RED Inspirations for February

My preferred places for red in interior design and remodeling projects are powder rooms, dining rooms and front doors. After that, I introduce them into accessories in much the same way I use them in my wardrobe. Think of using red as you might use shoes, a purse, scarf, belt, sweater or jacket.

In this powder room in the Madison Park neighborhood of Seattle, I added lots of spice by painting with Benjamin Moore Chili Pepper Red, 2004-20.

Claret Rose (2008-20) adds a glow

Benjamin Moore Heritage Red makes a door statement

If you love RED and need professional assistance choosing just the right shade for your home, February is our color consultation month. Call us if you’re ready for hugs, hearts and happiness. New clients save $50 on a Color Consultation this month (regularly $350