3.30.2012/// BLACK LACQUER, FLOOR PLANS, NEW TEXTILES, HIDES AND A LITTLE BRASS

///...well there goes the security deposit...BUT BUT BUT I love this black lacquer jobber I did to my bathroom yesterday. I was a little loopy afterwords but well worth it. Also switched out that boring vanity mirror for this vintage one with some de-silvering.

///a little sliver of some drawings for a bachelor pad I will be working on here in Seattle.

///Did I tell you, I'm pretty handy? This will become a cool sconce for behind the sofa of my own pad.

///Mr. Chris looking completely floored that we found the perfect hide for their Queen Anne home so fast! Good find, great clients!

///I was shown the new fabric collections from Old World Weavers and fell in love with this textured bunch from Fonthill.

///Before heading into a meeting with clients in Laurelhurst the other night, I snuck down to the beach to snap some photos just after an evening rain. I am such a water junky.

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...Once inside, I FINALLY got to lay eyes on the custom chandelier I had made influenced by Lindsey Adelman's creations as well as Grant Gibson's piece. Our's needed to be a little bigger...and well less expensive. I have two of the greatest electricians who work with me on all of my projects who not only can turn the lights on but in fact create many beautiful pieces such a this one from just my silly drawings.

Happy clients. Happy Brian.

///That same night we discussed and put in motion the master bedroom and sitting room which will include this rather bold palette, of which I couldn't be more excited. More to come from that project soon.

///New napkins for me as I slowly prep for what will be a lovely house warming at my place once I feel "finished".

///An awesome find for a clients sofa console!

///...last but certainly not least, I would like to give a shout back to MR CALL. He posted this on Facebook last night and I was most certainly humbled as I am a fan of his. We have quite a lot in common and its always good connecting with like minded people of which I have met so many in the fantastic industry we work in. Thanks again Jon, I wish you all the best!

3.26.2012///FLOWERS, WALKS, BOAT RIDES, FIKA + PAIGE

///SOMEDAY (read: 2-4 weeks) My sofa will arrive and this space will be its homes. Until then, it is an exercise in Minimalist living.

///The kitchen got some love this weekend in the form of a pussy willow arrangement for the window.

///I did A LOT of walking and exploring on my off time this past week and frequented the tourist haven of Pike Place Market three times...Mostly just to take it all in, see the flowers and veggies, do some people watching, clear my mind and of course to take pictures.

///I started an Instagram challenge this week to photograph your favorite part of your home and explain why you love it so. Give it a shot and tag it #myhomebp and follow me if you like @brianpaquette

///Saturday was beautiful here in Seattle so why not head out on the water and get all of the salt air I could breathe in. A lovely day all around.

///Sunday was spent much the same with a nice long walk with the guy who can explore just as well as me. We stare at buildings and take pictures and drink too much coffee and FIKA! ----

"Fika is a social institution in Sweden; it means having a break, most often a coffee break, with one's colleagues, friends, date, or family. The word "fika" can serve as both a verb and a noun. Swedes consider having a coffee an important part of the culture. You can fika at work by taking a “coffee break,” fika with someone like a “coffee date,” or just drink a cup of coffee. As such, the word has quite ambiguous connotations, but always including something to eat accompanied by a drink, such as cookies, cakes and even candy. This practice of taking a break, typically with a cinnamon roll or some biscuits or cookies, or sometimes a smörgås or a fruit on the side, is central to Swedish life, and is regularly enjoyed even by the government."

///Finally, capped off the weekend with a Mad Men soiree of sorts with my right hand gal, The lovely, talented and all around motivated Paige. Together we will make beautiful things.

What did you do to unwind?

Back to work for me. Have a fantastic week!

3.21.2012///SETTLING IN + MAKING PROGRESS

///Welcome to the entry way of my new digs. I am really excited to be semi- settled in and getting back into the swing of things here at work.

///a typical afternoon now where I can lay out color stories on the floor and piece projects together. (read: Family Guy is on in the background, because that's how we do it.)

///organizing my library

///These two pieces, a chaise and an entry bench done in very light powder blue belgium linen were delivered to a clients home in Palm Springs. So happy about these!

///I put my craft hat on this week as well staining and building my own bookshelves.

///Testing out the opacity of some vintage textiles I got while in Paris that will become cafe curtains in a clients office.

///Scored a few more plates for the plate wall going into the same home in Palm Springs. Cannot wait to go down and install that soon. I need some sun!

///Detail of a bar height dining table for the bachelor pad I am working on. This with industrial cafe stools will be just right.

///More sight line drawings for yet another bachelor pad that will hopefully be in the works soon.

(I take breaks too!)

LESS HERE/MORE HERE: PINTEREST

I have joined the cult... and I like it.

FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST HERE.

GOODBYE///HELLO...NEW HOME. OH! AND THE FIRST PIECE FROM MY FURNITURE LINE!

GOODBYE photo wall.

GOODBYE work area.

GOODBYE tiny kitchen. (the flowers a LONG gone)

GOOBYE awesome closet. (this I WILL miss)

GOODBYE cramped sleeping area.

GOODBYE!

all above photos by the lovely and talented We Are The Rhoads

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HELLO NEW HOME!

The new place (all 600 sq ft of it!) is currently being painted this great warm neutral from Benjamin Moore with white trim. The bathroom will be painted something wild when I live with it a while.

...and now for the kinda BIG announcement.

I am having my furniture builder and upholsterer make me a version of this sofa. A traditional take on the George sofa from B&B Italia (credit where credit is due!) I kept most of the proportions and lines, making the seat cushion a little bigger and softer, take away the chrome legs and slipcover the whole thing in dark grey linen with a skirt to the floor and add 100% down to the seat and cushions and at 78" wide, 25" tall and a wapping 38" deep (so comfortable) you've got the SACHUEST SOFA, I have named my version after the beach I grew up next to, the place that holds so many fond memories. That's right folks, you too can have one of these! I guess I am introducing the first piece in my own furniture line, MADE IN THE US of A, Solid hardwood/8 way hand tie construction etc etc blah blah blah. More on this when the first run are completed in a month or so. For more info email me at emailbrianpaquette@gmail.com. Very excited for this one!

I am also having my seamstress make a few pillows out of some antique japanese striped and hand stitched textiles I picked up in Paris.

A pair of these chrome dudes for the bookcase...

...I am making one large version of the bookcase below...much lower and wider for all my books and bins for all of my office stuff and fabric/wallpaper and finish samples.

Without the photo wall in this new place ( as of yet, I haven't completely given up on the idea of doing a new version of it, well see) ANYWAY'S I needed a large anchoring piece of art for above the bookcase. In comes new friend and insanely talented photographer Meghan McInnis. Long story short, I have been a fan of this image of the band HAVE HEART for a long time. Turns out my friend in Seattle was very good friends with the photographer, we met on her trip out here and right now, as we speak the print is en route to my little fingers! A little punk rock never hurt any decorators home/office, right? I am truly grateful to have such a large group of talented individuals surrounding me. More images of the framed piece and the rest of the apartment once I make the move next week.

...some bamboo blinds, a sisal rug, a new bed (yet to be determined, SUGGESTIONS PLEASE!) an edited version of things I have with some other new pieces from recent buying trip and voila. I'm trying to be a little more picky. Well see...

...THANK GOD FOR MOVERS, I already have a ton of crap!

OK: SO TO RE- CAP, goodbye old place, hello new place, SACUEST SOFA!!!, punk rock.

phew.