5.31.2012///AN EAT IN KITCHEN IN 6 STEPS

///First things first. Paint the whole space (ceiling and all) LOOKOUT POINT from Benjamin Moore. A favorite of mine for it's grey blue cast. It also matches the linen on the custom sofa in the adjacent room.

///Classic lines in a turned leg table with fantastic patina in a size that wont dominate the space but allows for four to dine in comfort.

///A little juxtaposition of styles here by using Eames molded chairs in white around the table.

///From my new favorite fabric line ZAK + FOX, roman shades in a complimentary blue print fabric called Matsu. 

///A provincial weighted ceiling sconce for over the table in white.

///Finally for the walls, an original screen print for a concert from the client's favorite band, The National.

Easy, Breezy, and fun. With natural light during the day or candlelight at night for an intimate dinner with friends, this space will serve her very well for years to come. 

5.29.2012///MOOD BOARDS, BABIES + BOTANICAL EVERYTHING.

///Well hello. It has been a whirlwind of a week and as I sit here and collect a few photos from the past week I am starting to realize how I might need to slow down and enjoy things a little bit more...this is sharply chased out of my conscience by awaiting emails and more importantly the fact that every day I get to do what I love. 

Above is a mood shot for a project that starts July 1st, a client who has been looking forward to doing a major overhaul on their home for quite some time, someone who is putting a lot of trust in my taste and is letting me take the ship for the most part. I look forward to it quite a bit. 

A palette of neutrals, lot's of white and plenty of antiques and found pieces are the dominant theme. Pulling many cues from one of my design hero's, Darryl Carter, simplicity and strong lines along with heavy textures will dominate the space.

///One of the most exciting fabrics I intend to use in said project above is from ZAC + FOX, a boutique line out of New York that I am over the moon about. This one in particular is called "Postage stamp" and is my favorite!

///Speaking of fabrics, I stopped by one of my workrooms to check on progress on the 14,000 pillows being made for another project as well as the breezy linen roman shades. The above Quadrille fabric was a client favorite...mine too.

///The weekend found taking the above client on a marathon shopping trip where the highlight was finding the above chandelier (that weird white thing on the ground) for her master bedroom. It has since  dictated the plan for the entire room, and we are excited!

///These amazing prints from Singapore arrived as well for her living room.

///Just when you thought all I did this week was play with pretty fabrics...Alas I was shut in for two whole days doing floor plans for yet another new project...to include... (take's a breath) a NURSERY! 

///I did however find plenty of time this weekend to unwind with friends, eat amazing food and enjoy the few blips of sunshine.

///I even cleaned up the kitchen a bit...

///I hope you all enjoyed the long and restful weekend.

///SOME COLOR INSPIRATION AND MOLD BREAKING

///Even though most of the spaces I design are more texture based and less "blast-o color", I too enjoy blips of it and am constantly inspired by bold use's of it in art, interiors and more recently fashion. Here's to me breaking my "mold" a little bit.

///Seattle's EMP

///Looking outside toward the neighbor's at a client's home. It had rained all day and during our meeting we got a brief flash of light. 

///China Seas fabric...hoping to use this very "shrimp" colored pattern in the master bedroom as a headboard for one lucky girl.

/// Just a dry-cleaners door. Such a bold color story.

///I wont even get into the story behind this/these shirt/shirts...There are two now. BUT the color is great!

ALL WHITE EVERYTHING!

///I like white. I mean I really like dark spaces too. But I like NOTHING more in the interior realm than an all white neutralized space. All moldings, all walls, all surfaces...and even sometimes the floor painted out white using that crazy basketball floor paint. 

///Darryl Carter does it most successfully in my opinion and I come back to him for project inspiration time and time again.

///OK...that was enough inspiration. Lest us forget that inspiration is only useful if used in real life...

///BEFORE: 

This dark and dreary home of one of my clients here in Seattle is about to get a major facelift...first things first. 

ALL WHITE!

GOODBYE YELLOW.

///A look out the window through the leaded glass windows...

///...YEP! Those were painted as well. No surface was safe.

///Meanwhile back at the BP headquarters (read: my place) the furniture, etc is starting to arrive.

ALSO this weekend, another set of clients of mine decided to go for it and get their fireplace painted white as well. We had originally discussed painting that whole wall, brick and all...all black. But after some panic attacks by my clients and to be honest myself as well. We decided that white was a better choice. I LOVE how you can barely see the large flatscreen mounted above the fireplace. The bright bright white we used isn't quite the same tone of the surrounding walls and this was intentional. I really wanted this fireplace to pop. The bright white is echoed in a few other places in the room, a custom console, a Blu-dot console and the finishing touch to come soon will be a few pairs of custom drapes that incorporate bright white linen but are also trimmed out with a special detail...I leave the surprise for the final unveiling.

Both of these projects are really invigorating me creatively and I couldn't be happier with how things are progressing.

///Gratuitous cookie shot. (I'm weak)

SUN + ART + FLOWERS AND FABRIC YOUR KIDS CAN PUKE ON.

///Most of my days recently have looked a lot like this...stuck behind the computer. I cannot complain because I can just as easily take a much needed break if I damn well want to and enjoy some of the amazing weather we have been having here in Seattle...

...like so. :)

///Lately work has taken me just outside of the city limits to Lake City for a great new project for a very sweet family of four (LOTS of outdoor and stain resistant fabrics for this one!) This particular photo was taken outside their home from the car as I anxiously waited and caught my breathe before the big first presentation. YES! I am a big baby and get VERY nervous and even sweat through my shirt. 

LUCKILY not only was I greeted at the door with a margarita (because it was margarita Friday, seems normal to me) BUT we had a great time and really saw eye to eye on what I thought should be done to their home.

///Cues from two of my favorites.

///Initial first floor sketches...

///...and a little bit of color.

///This photo I remember taking right after the meeting as I arrived back on the hill and was walking to meet some friends for dinner. 

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///Last weekend I attended a great party at a friends home here in Seattle who decided to open her house up to some of our beloved local artists. One in particular...the uber-talented Jenn Ament whose work I have used on a few projects and will now grace my own place! 

Here I am with Rue girl and fellow Seattlite Cass Lavalle...we had a couple beers, shot the shit. It was great! I love our little community of amazingly talented artists.

///ALWAYS... read: ALWAYS stop and smell the flowers. Life is great.

SNEAK PEEK///BACHELOR PAD

///Yes...there are still wires hanging out of the ceiling, some of the drapery is still not up, art is not all hung, ...the old sofa MIGHT be sitting upright in the back of the room.

BUT!...

...We made some serious headway last night (due in part to a sugar rush from the bubble tea) on my friend and client's bachelor pad here in Seattle. This project was a great exercise in maximizing the power of the chain store by mixing and matching pieces from places like West Elm, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn and some other great online sites mixed with some aged and found pieces to balance out the look.

///the original sketch for the room.

More to come!