This expert Seattle interior designer is honored to be featured on Ava Living this week and share the spotlight with other talented designers and their lofty work.

Renovation of this 1,200 square foot loft in Portland’s trendy Pearl District creates an open, informal space for leisure, work and play for a young bachelor.   The modern, neo-classic design is both interdependent and intimate, providing a private retreat in the city.

A neutral paint palatte of pale almond and caramel is strongly accentuated by the conversational area which is anchored by a red, Tibetan rug and surrounded by luxurious fabrics of wool, chenille, suede and silk.  A custom, expresso stained entertainment center unites media components.

Contemporary plumbing fixtures of chrome and copper mix with the floor and counters of German limestone.  The resurfaced concrete floor is stained in bronze tones. 

Location:      Irving Street Lofts                               1314 NW Irving                        Portland, Oregon

Do you crave one simple, beautiful space? Wishing you had a friend in the design business right now?   Don’t wait – call us now – 206.437.8000.

The category for this Top Ten list is area rugs.  For most projects I customize rugs to create a design specific for my clients.  Many companies produce custom quality rugs in a range of prices and sizes.  So here are my current Top 10.

1.  Stripes work in so many areas, from the entry to the library.

Odegard Tibetan multi stripe

2.  Endless Knot with a new contemporary design by Susan Eslick.

Endless Knot by Susan Eslick

3.  Zollenvari Gabbeh- One of a kind from semi-nomadic villages in Iran

Zollenvari Gabbeh from Southern Iran

4.  Dolma – Geometric rugs work well in family rooms and anchor seating.

5.  New Moon-a dazzling pattern for a hallway runner.

New Moon Runner

6.  Rug Art creates unique minimalist modern rugs.

Rug Art from Vidal Sasson

7.  Stile BK-love the color and concentric circles

Stile BK combines techniques of kilim, sumac and knotting

8.  Paola Lenti- fabulous contemporary rugs from Italy

Paola Lenti is a leading Italian design company

9.  Emma Gardner Design – I love the whimsy of her rugs this one especially.

Whimsy from Emma Gardner

10.  Laphi is my all time favorite company for custom rugs design.

Lapchi uses textile patterns from the 14th to 17th centuries

 Please let me know which of these 10 rugs speaks to you.  I enjoy your feedback.  Faith

In 2006 I enjoyed the opportunity to design a home in the Seattle Street of Dreams, Casa Montecito.  For a designer this is a dream and labor of love. It represents a major commitment of time and creative energy. Over a period of 10 months I worked daily with a tribe of talented people who listened to my ideas and translated the design I created for the developer into a coherent, inviting home. Casa Montecito can be seen in multiple views on my website: http://faithsheridan.com.

In the early summer  of that year Robert Kaindl  found me amid the construction. He offered his glass creations for possible inclusion.  Once I saw them I was awestruck.  They were incredible works of art and absolutely the perfect art object to communicate my design.

Casa Montecito Salon

That’s how I came to meet Robert Kaindl who is an amazing, energertic and visionary glass artist.  I am so pleased to share him and his work in this post.  His work is breathtaking, inspiring and memorable.  You want to make it the focal point and inspiration of a design project. 

Robert is passionate about glass.  You appreciate that when you see the tremendous range of his glass artistry.  In February, 2009 Robert installed 4 dazzling chandeliers in the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Robert Kaindl for the Four Seasons Beverly Hills

See information about that project on his  website: http://robertkaindl.com/

Earlier this month, Robert announced a collaboration with Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman in conjunction with InCircle, their customer loyalty program.

Inevitably, there comes that day when your teenager declares “I hate my room. Why can’t I get new furniture and paint my walls the way all my friends’ rooms look?”

Maybe your fifteen-year-old daughter wants a shabby chic bedroom with faded old chintz sofa and curtains. Or maybe she would prefer a retro look with bright colors and some of your old 70s album covers on the wall.  Is your son a sports fan or does he prefer music? Outgoing or more reserved? Perhaps your son wants his room to look like a basketball court or maybe graffiti is more his style.

Regardless, it is important to remember that it’s their own space, and the decor needs to reflect their personality and desire to be independent.

In both these images, bedding captures the transformation. Bedding is a very personal choice for your teenager. He might want an animal print bedspread or something in black velvet. Or she might like retro 70’s bright flowers on her sheets. This is a great way to add color and personality to a room without making any permanent changes to the walls.

Adding accents will give the room more interest and personality. A few fun ideas for accent items include funky chairs, pillows, area rugs and wall art. This is where your teenager can really make the bedroom an expression of his or her personality so encourage them to pick things they are really into.

Let me know what changes you are making to your teens bedroom.  More tips.

Today’s symbol of living well and a way to express personal style and creativity is the monogram. They are everywhere–totes, napkins, linens, towels, stemware, tableware, chairs. 

Seen as a nostalgic gesture to grandparents and family heirlooms, the revival of monograms suggests a return to acknowledging identity, our past and present.  Some contend that monograms are a Southern obsession but I see this customization as everywhere but especially appreciated in that region of the US. Monograms are a way to touch the past.  You can scour the flea markets and find a treasure or start your own collection.

Here are 5 tips to consider about monograms:

1. Select a letter style that suits the object. By this I mean linen napkins are more formal than plaid so choose accordingly. Towels, with their thickness, often are better with a single letter.
2. Restrain yourself as you add monograms to your interior. I love chair backs but not every chair; but on a simple china plate, yes.
3. Monograms make great gifts. Recently, for my daughter’s birthday, I sent monogrammed cocktail napkins. Guest towels are another option.
4. Surround a monogram in a symbol.  This is a classic detail for a throw pillow, like a wreath or outline of a house.
5. Consider monograms an investment. Remember the flea market comment and know monogrammed napkins last a long time. “Ivory hemstitched dinner napkins with a gold monogram are the little black dress of tabletop”, Jane Scott Hodges of Leontime Linens.