August, 2009 - Browsing by month

On Sunday, August 16th, I toured the 1111 East Pike Street Condos located in Capitol Hill Seattle.  As a Seattle interior designer, this is my neighborhood and for more than a year Iobserved the construction and listened to comments of colleagues and neighbors.

1111 East Pike Street Condos

It was very quiet in contrast to the opening party I attended a couple months ago. Now I could actually see the  interiors.  Tom Kundig, architect (also well known) and Anne Michelson, entrepreneur,  paired to design and develop the project. Reflecting the urban setting, the materials are utilitarian. Floor to ceiling windows expand the space. 

Alternative living room plan

Penthouse living area

Space allocation for the bedroom and closet areas is compromised while the kitchen living areas are expansive in my opinion. In the penthouse, for example, the kitchen is sufficiently generous for a family of 6.  My tour reinforced for me that a floor plan must provide all the elements needed for a condo living experince.

Kundig Signature Moving Wall

In an era where a queen size bed is a minimum standard, it is problematic to see a penthouse with a double bed.  Of all the floor plans available for this building, there were two I really liked.  I was told that alterations were planned to increase the space available for a bed and clothing.  This will be good news for condo seekers who want to live in such an attractive building and desirable neighborhood.

Looking for ideas and inspirations for your place?

Tags: 1111 E Pike Street condo, Seattle condo in Capitol Hill, Seattle interior designer, space allocation in condos
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New York Times: The Recession Gives Interior Design A Makeover

The title in today’s New York Times Home and Garden section is Renovating  an Industry.  As a professional Seattle interior designer, I appreciated the focus on alternatives and creative approaches to make our design work accessible to a larger range of people.  Throughout the article, designers relate steps and actions to maintain their connection to an industry they love.  A reader comment, “They love what they do like all driven creative people, and they will keep at it.”

I frequently receive email messages from readers of my blog and newsletter.  They are uncertain about a paint color, or how to arrange furniture.  Sometimes it’s a question about where to paint an accent wall or what size area rug works with the furniture. How should the furniture be arranged? What height to hang art or how to group art.   For me these are dilemmas. A minor hurdle on the way to creating a design in your home that you are proud of and enjoy. 

I wanted to help end the frustration and discouragement.  So I launched a new service, Fast Solutions for Interior Dilemmas.  It easy and all done online. You can quickly get a solution and start loving your home.  Check it out and then share this resource with folks you know. 

I would love your feedback.  Please email to solution@fastsolutionsforinteriordilemmas.com

Tags: creative approaches for interior design, fast solutions for interior dilemmas, interior design industry, Seattle interior designer
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It was exciting to tour the Portland Street of Dreams of nine penthouse condominiums nearly 2 weeks ago. As a Seattle interior designer what I especially enjoyed was seeing an interior designed by my designer colleague, Kimberlee  Jaynes.  In my opinion Kimberlee is superb in her color sense as you can see by the image. Choosing a color is often a daunting experience for my clients. I wanted to share what Kimberlee told me about her color inspiration for the interiors.

Living Room

Over coffee Kimberlee shared, ”The design evolved starting with a pale blue gray rug from Madison Millinger Handmade rugs. My design associate Rolfe was showing me this rug and I reached down to touch it and noticed my vermillion summer nail polish against the smoky colored rug and thought that’s it! We have our color combination!”  As the design concept evolved, Kimberlee said, “Well once the artwork and pillows were in place the serene area rug had to go! The tomato area rug was a much better fit and helped to keep your eye traveling around the room.”

Benjamin Moore 1573 Castle Walls

“The vermillion colored art work and embroidered silk accent pillows help bring the living room to life.” The serene mood established with the soft blue grey continues into the bedroom as seen in this photo.

I will be speaking again with Kimberlee about some of the unique accessories she showcased in another post. 

If you need help to choose a color for your project, I have a fast solution.

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Tags: Benjamin Moore, color combination, color sense, penthouse condominiums, portland street of dreams, Seattle interior designer
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Take these coffee table options provided by Jeffrey Braun and Palecek  that expand storage and seating options.

Jeffrey Braun Hidden Agenda

Palecek Hudson Ottoman

The coffee table/storage chest features exotic wood and slides open for access and closed to hide items not currently in use. Designed by Jeffrey Braun, a film art director turned interior designer and furniture maker, it is called “The Hidden Agenda.” Braun is based in Seattle and has an affinity for urban living. He designed “The Hidden Agenda” with a nod toward the special effects seen in the film world.  The Hudson ottoman offers flexible combinations for extra seating while also serving use as an ottoman.

Converting a table into dual function is especially useful for a small space. It can used as a work or dining surface and then using the lift mechanism lowered for use as a coffee table.  Here are examples from Lorts and Hydra Designs.

The original Hydra Table

Lorts Hi-Lo Table

Looking for a weekly ezine with ideas and resources for your own space ? 

Today I toured new condo units in my Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle.  Look for those in my next post. 

Tags: double duty furniture, generation Y seeks housing, Seattle interior design, small space living
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Quadrille Fabrics Taskent

This fall my Seattle interior designs will reflect the zigzag theme emerging from couture and summer fashion themes.  Over the summer,  beach fashions from Flip flops to beach towels and bikinis displayed the colorful theme.  I expect interior design introductions for the fall to offer more of the same in textiles, rugs, upholstered furniture and accessories. I think a cashmere throw for a sofa or chair in a zigzag is a great accent opportunity.  Look for more tips about introducing patterns into your interior design soon.

Cashmere throw

Don’t forget to send an interior dilemma with images so that I can help you with a quick solution to a interior quandary.

Zigzag Tote From Quadrille Couture

Kate Spade Ric Rac Enamel Bangle

Tags: Accessories, Seattle interior design, Zigzag design
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