I Spy

It couldn't be avoided -- I made a trip to IKEA. But a strategic trip: mid-week, mid-day...no drinking was required afterward. I was on the hunt for some organizational items for my new office (filing boxes, storage containers, etc.) but couldn't help noticing some fab new pieces that I would not be ashamed to call my own. What do you think?

Love this rattan chair...reminiscent of one of my favorite companies, Red Egg. A great way to get the look for less...of course, Red Egg manufacturers their furniture in the USA -- Ikea, not so much.

Check out this little outdoor beauty. I can see this in a funky living room or even a kid's room or playroom...or, of course, outdoors, where it is apparently intended to live.

And I loved this hammered metal bowl with gold interiors -- its looks definitely belie its price point, and it doesn't scream "IKEA"...also a plus.

Have you discovered any "hidden gems" at IKEA or other low-end shopping spots? Would love to hear about them!

Visual Feast

Orange Mower

I am loving the new show by Christopher Boffoli, here at local Seattle gallery Winston Wachter.

Cupcake Golfer

Blackberry C.S.I.

My personal favorite, Hot Dog Custodian

What a Long, Strange Trip It Has Been

This could be a lot of things: A wistful, nostalgic post about the evolution of the store over the years. A depressed, pitiful post about the ending of things. A "remember when" post about all the exciting (and not-so-exciting) things that have happened since we opened our doors.

But it's not. Instead it is a time to look back and see that the meandering path led us to the exact place we wanted to be from the beginning, without even knowing it. While perhaps naive, I like to think this is how most of life works...it just takes some time to see it.

Enough with the cryptic philosophizing -- after four years, we are closing our retail storefront to focus on our interior design business. And we couldn't be more excited! The world of retail has been a wild ride and has opened doors to so many people, places, and things we would never have otherwise known, and for that I will be eternally grateful.

But most of all, it has helped to build a flourishing design business, a passion for which has always been the underlying driver of the storefront. And it has connected us with hundreds (thousands?) of people who would become customers and clients--even friends--and that has been the most rewarding part of the entire journey. Since opening four years ago, the city has become a different place to me, filled with familiar faces everywhere I go. What an amazing gift. Thank you for being a part of that, and for sticking with us as life continued to get crazier with more kids, new locations, different business strategies, and more.

We aren't going far -- just to a second-floor spot down the street (1205 East Pike Street, to be exact) where we will have a by-appointment design office that will house all of our wonderful fabrics, wallpaper, product catalogs, and more... We hope you'll continue to follow along on our endeavors; heck, maybe now I'll *finally* have time to blog again!

The good news? We have to clear the decks here before our big move in a few weeks, and there are still some goodies to be had. All remaining inventory (not including already sold pieces --duh, right? -- and artwork) is 50% off.

Stop by Thursday - Saturday from 10:30 - 2:30 to scoop up some bargains and say hello...we would love to see you. Plus we really don't want to move any more stuff.

Thanks for hanging in there with us through thick and thin. We wouldn't be here without you.

Over It

I don't know about you, but I go through phases where I pretend blogs don't exist -- not just my blog (obviously I pretend it is invisible, based on my posting frequency as of late!), but every blog. Keeping up to date with the scads of blogs I follow sometimes overwhelms me. My coping strategy? Ignore them and they will go away. (Also my strategy for dealing with problems -- clearly I have some issues to work out in therapy, but that's another post altogether.)

So this may not be news to you -- I have visions of it appearing anywhere and everywhere -- but to me, when I spotted it on Pinterest, it was like the clouds parted and a voice rang out from on high: overlays for customizing IKEA furniture!?! Genius. We're talking Nobel Prize-winning, Stephen Hawking-level genius.

Take a look and see what I mean:

Read all about this project here. The pagoda is ridiculous.

Did I mention these can also be applied to mirror and glass? Imagine the possibilities.

Lack side table customized with Greek key overlay

Reminds me of this

Imminent MENSA members Cheryle Rhuda and Danike Herrick developed these paintable composite overlays to customize popular IKEA pieces from its MALM, PAX, and LACK lines, among others. They also offer custom options if you have other non-IKEA pieces you'd like to pep up.

Every so often, I see something that makes me think, "Why didn't I think of that?" This is one of those times.

I can't wait to try it!

Royal Albert

As those of you determined enough to follow along despite my infrequent-of-late posts may know, I grew up in the South -- Nashville, Tennessee, to be exact -- where gorgeous, old, traditional homes abound; I was even lucky enough to grow up in one myself.

A few days ago I learned one of Nashville's most beautiful homes recently went up for sale, and I was finally able to peek inside. Built in 1931, the home is rumored to have been decorated by the legendary Albert Hadley of venerable interiors firm Parish-Hadley. (Full disclosure: said rumor comes from a family member, but I am unable to verify this in Hadley's work history.)

Despite my lack of written proof, the home smacks of Hadley's genius and could be straight out of a recent issue of Veranda or Architectural Digest.

I love the various furniture groupings -- the perfect way to make a large space more intimate.

The window treatments here, in what appears to be the Library, are stunning, as they are throughout the home.

Love the table stacked with books.

Probably my favorite room -- guessing this may be the lady of the house's office...? The black lacquered walls, the lucite table and the pops of green throughout = pure chic.

The apple-green walls are so fresh and vibrant, set off by the white furnishings and woodwork. Love the trim on the closet doors!

The pool house. The pool house! I could die a happy woman in this image.

What I can only assume is the pool house interior. Isn't it perfect? The coral and white are so cheerful, and I would arm wrestle someone for that coffee table.

Stripes!

Not sure what is happening on these walls, but I like it. And the curtains? Perfect.

Lucite luggage racks? Yes, please.

Can you imagine this as your driveway? I can.

In researching the home, I was thrilled to learn that Albert Hadley was also born in Nashville, which certainly strengthens my suspicion of his involvement in the project. Hadley has also designed interiors for other Nashville luminaries, former Vice President Al Gore and his (former?) wife, Tipper.

I find that the older I get, the more I am drawn to these traditional interiors that cry out to be filled with family and friends over drawn-out bridge games, swimming parties, and political discussions that go into the night. Scotch on the rocks, anyone?

I Saw the Light

Hicks Pendant in Domino magazine*

Saw some great things today at our local Rejuvenation (here in Seattle, it's called Rejuve, which really only serves to confuse me and everyone with whom I discuss the store, but that's a topic for another day). One item I spotted gave me particular pause, and it left me wondering -- could this

be the new this?

Heaven knows we have all seen our share of the now-classic Hicks Pendant from Visual Comfort:

High Gloss magazine

via decor*pad

Jeff Herr Photography

And who am I to judge? I have a pair of them in my own kitchen:

And although I do still love my pendants, there is always a small part of me that likes things sliiiiightly less when I see them everywhere. (It's not just me, right?)

Today, when looking at the Hood pendant line displayed in Rejuve, I found myself momentarily contemplating a switch. Probably not going to happen, but you can be sure I'll suggest the Hood pendants to future clients. With all the finish and globe options, it can work in so many styles and locations... I am partial to the largest size (but of course).

Underside of the wire net cover option, originally designed to catch the glass of a broken light. Now it just looks cool.

I love the clear glass globe and brass finish.

* Where I first spotted the Hicks pendants years ago, inspiring an immediate purchase of my own pair.

The Devil Is in the Details

Contrary to what "Million Dollar Decorators" might have you believe -- or what might actually be true for the MDDs -- being a designer is not all about selecting $25,000 carpets or waiting in bed for million-dollar projects to fall into your lap. Most of my projects are completed in phases, as clients' time and budgets allow, and they often involve seemingly mundane tasks like selecting planters for front porches or finding the exact right piece for a mantle or coffee table.

But I often find that the smallest tasks can be the most rewarding and even make the biggest impact. I recently spent a few hours at a client's home, styling her mantle and other aspects of her Living Room, and the transformation was huge! Sometimes just editing what you already have and dreaming up new ways and places to use it is all that is required to give a room a whole new look and feel.

Take a look at a few "before" and "after" shots, and perhaps you will get inspired to do some selective editing this weekend...or call me for help!

The mantel "BEFORE"

Mantel "AFTER"

Secretary "BEFORE" -- you can't see a lot of detail here, which is part of the problem; it was filled with lots of clear glass pieces and other items that failed to add much against the dark wood.

Secretary "AFTER" -- I love the shots of white and blue that draw you in...and the negative space creates a more restful feeling than rows of full shelves.