outdoor fabrics inside

Got kids? pets? large windows? Make your life easier by taking a little advice from your outdoor furnishings and upholster your indoor pieces in outdoor fabrics as well.
Outdoor (aka. Indoor/Outdoor) fabrics are a wonderful alternative to your standard upholstery fabrics since they are designed to be extremely durable, stain resistant and quite often fade resistant. Outdoor fabrics are perfect for all indoor upholstery projects especially those that are used most often such as a family room sofa, those in a child's room or those that sit in front of a south-facing window. I know all too well about getting attached to a particular fabric just to have it fade to an all new color in just a few months because of the afternoon sun that shines on it each day.

photo courtesy of Sunbrella

Outdoor fabrics come in all sorts of colors, patterns textures and price ranges. Here are a few styles and brands that are certainly worth checking out:

A few of my favorite Waverly Sun-N-Shade textiles:
Sundial in Citrine; Ottoman Rib in Rainforest; Garden Lattice in Crimson

Essence in Onyx; Chippendale Fretwork in Moss; Lovely Lattice in Lagoon

Waverly Sun-N-Shade
Sunbrella - commitment to sustainability
Joann fabric and craft stores carry numerous lines of indoor/outdoor fabrics including Waverly Sun-N-Shade and Sunbrella.
...and for those of you ready to spend a little more: Donghia Indoor/Outdoor textiles.

If any of you have used this trick I'd love to see your photos.

inspiration from vern yip

This past Saturday I was lucky enough to hear Vern Yip (Design Star and Deserving Design) speak at the Seattle Design Center's Eye on Design event. He spoke about six design trends he feels are very important in today's world of interior design and to my excitement he also made sure to speak about how important the role of an interior designer is in successfully implementing these trends. I think he hit these trends right on the nose, so I have decided to share them all with you.

1. Color is an expression of you.

Utilize color on walls and furniture as a manifestation of who you are.

2. Bold patterns are back.
Know your options.

3. Environmentally friendly elements.
Do your research.
Crate and Barrel's commitment to the environment. (Azure sofa, above)
Antiques are a wonderful existing resource. Buy quality and own it for a lifetime.

4. Mixing styles.
Can all co-exist in the same room successfully.

5. Making the most of home offices.
Use the space you have multi-functionally.

6. Finish you outside like the inside.
Create outside living spaces furnished just as you would indoors.
Outdoor friendly fabrics have come a long way.

What are your favorite design trends?

lions and tigers and interior designers, oh my!

Why is it that so many folks out there are intimidated by interiors designers? You trust your latte to your local barista at the cost of a thousand plus dollars a year, but a few hundred bucks to an interior designer is way too much to handle. Is it that they think we are out to spend all their money? A day doesn't go by when I don't see or hear of people making huge costly mistakes when purchasing furniture, selecting floor or wall coverings, or trying to simply space plan their own home or business because they don't understand scale, color, styles or basic space planning. Interior designers are educated, experienced professionals who are here to help make sure that your home or business is an aesthetic and functional representation of you. In reality your interior designer should save you quite a bit of money between extending trade discounts and preventing design mistakes. Go ahead, save yourself some money and headaches and hire an interior designer.

Don't leave your design up to chance.

Got design questions? Need a consultation? Contact me now.

green isn't the only green color

Benjamin Moore has made your health and the earth's health one of their top priorities. They are continuously working hard to create healthier and healthier paints by lowering the percentage of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These VOCs contain numerous chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Why fill your home with harmful chemicals when you don't have to?

Available in over 3,300 colors, 3 sheens and an interior primer, Benjamin Moore brings us ben, a low VOC paint with a personality. ben has scored Benjamin Moore's Green Promise which means that it meets or exceeds the strictest of environmental requirements such as LEED. Find your color, paint your room then get online and share your color's story.Benjamin Moore has even one-upped itself since you can now get anyone of their 3,000+ colors or any other color you want color matched with zero VOCs thanks to their Natura line of paints. Just like ben, Natura carries Benjamin Moore's Green Promise. With no noticable odor, superior coverage, a recoatable dry time of only one hour, and an easily maintainable and durable finish, Natura makes painting the easiest and healthiest it has ever been. Natura is the only way to go if you are painting your baby's nursery or kid's room, especially if you are pregnant. Now if only they can figure out how to produce it for less than $50 a gallon.

Benjamin Moore's Landscape #430

all photos: courtesy of Benjamin Moore

being kind to the earth

Happy Earth Day!

Today is the day (as should be everyday) to loudly praise those who have taken great strides to tread lighter on the earth. My newest green design find in the Seattle area is the Discovery Center at South Lake Union. Designed by The Miller|Hull Partnership and originally built to house the sales center for Vulcan Real Estate, the Discovery Center's new purpose in life is as a meeting space and community informational museum. The greatest feature of this building is in its design and future, wherever that may be. Consisting of four metal, glass and wood-roofed modules and resting upon concrete piers, the Discovery Center can essentially be disassembled and reassembled on a new site, where again it can become a Vulcan sales center for a new development. These concrete piers also allow the ground below to remain as it had before it was built, so once the structure is moved it literally does not leave a footprint. Over 80 percent of the materials used in its construction are environmentally friendly and recycled meaning the environmental responsibility of the structure just keeps going.

Seattle's South Lake Union Discovery Center

The surrounding community is doing its part as well. Along with the Discovery Center and the Whole Foods Market, South Lake Union features a number of business equally invested in sustainability and making a positive impact upon our planet. Thanks to all this amazing work and dedication, this 'green' community has been invited to participate in the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for neighborhoods pilot program. So, if you are in the area and have a moment, stop by to see what a real community should look like.

South Lake Union Green Map
Find out more about Vulcan Real Estate and green living here.

bugs with a past

Not all bugs are here to buzz in your ear or pollinate your flowers, some just want to bring a smile to your face and help keep old items out of our landfills.

Melbourne, Australia-based design house 'Lighty' brings us Crysalis, the newest life cycle of the butterfly. Just like a butterfly's metamorphosis, Crysalis makes its own transformation from an old saucer to unique wall decor. Since these beautiful butterflies are crafted from old saucers, much like nature, each butterfly is unique.

Crysalis - Lightly

Looking for some bugs that are a bit less granny chic? CB2 provides us with a number of recycled tin packaging bugs crafted by an artisan co-op in Africa. Just like each Crysalis pattern, no two recycled bugs are the same.

recycled bugs - CB2

moma store addiction

I am a total MOMA Store addict. I could easily spend more time looking through the store than I do actually looking at the art installations. Here are just a few of my favorite pieces from the new items online:

Folding Bird House by Jesper Moller Hansen & Dorthe Weis, 2007
"This contemporary bird feeder comes flat-packed and easily folds upright. Includes a wooden perch and a metal string for hanging. Made of white-painted steel. Hand-wash only."

Herb Planter (or pencil cup if I owned it) by Jakob Heiberg, 2008
"Herb Planter holds two of your favorite herbs and comes with scissors so you can season foods instantly. Made of ABS plastic and stainless steel. Pots are dishwasher-safe; hand-wash scissors. Plants not included."Nest 8 Bowls by Bill Holding & Ben Cox, 2008
"The ultimate kitchenware collection, this set includes a large non-slip mixing bowl, colander, sieve/strainer, small mixing bowl, and four measuring cups that nest for storage. Made of ABS plastic and nylon. Dishwasher-safe. Sieve is hand-wash only."

Painted Circles Placemats by Sandy Chilewich, 2008
"These woven-vinyl placemats feature a bold hand-printed silk-screen design on one side. Durable and easy to wipe clean. Sold separately."

My favorite MOMA Store purchase, or purchases since I have 3 of them definitely have to be my Loop Candelabras by Black+Blum.

start off the week with some savings

Check it out. 10% off Urban Outfitters online through May 11th with coupon code SPRING. The only bummer of it is that it excludes furniture and electronics. Well, at least there is a whole "apartment" section including lighting, bedding, artwork and much more.

Now just to decide which one to order. Any opinions?

3-D Chandelier or Thru the Trees Chandelier

lo and behold! glamour is the next domino mag

A few months ago I was sad to learn that my March Domino magazine was going to be my last. Domino was the second of my shelter magazines to go under in the last 6 months, with Home as the first. With my final Home magazine I had received a note that they would be transferring the remainder of my subscription over to Metropolitan Home, as well as a contact number if I would like a different magazine instead. With my final Domino I got nothing. From the appearance and content, you'd never even know it was the end for the 4-year-young shelter mag. Looking online for any information is pointless as well since all they do now is suggest you check out Condé Nast’s last remaining shelter magazine, Architectural Digress, oops, I mean Digest, you know that magazine with a median reader age of 50.
Lo and behold! Yesterday I received a plain little white postcard letting me know that they will be sending me Glamour for the remainder of my subscription. Really? Glamour in place of Domino? My favorite line of the post card is "Like Domino, (Glamour's) geared toward smart, style-savvy women like you, with inspiration and tips on fashion, hair & beauty, health & diet, and sex & relationships." Yeah, sounds just like Domino. Um, no thanks. Seems I'll be spending my Monday morning calling that 1-800 number at the bottom looking for a refund.

What I just don't get is, if it is the economic crisis that's leading these magazines to fold, why are we left with those magazines full of $10,000 sofas in 2 million dollar plus homes? Guess they are the folks that still have the money to spend.

best of craigslist: release your inner golden girl!

Bamboo and Wicker may not just be for those four crazy Florida gals anymore! But perhaps it should be...you be the judge!

Wicker runs abundant on the Free and Furniture sale posts on Craigslist. It's being described from anywhere to "vintage" "antique" "modern" to "lovely" "handcrafted" "nice" and "comfy." Wicker seems to be to be more decorative than functional furniture, especially when it comes to such things as living room furniture. I don't know how comfy I've ever been lying on a hard surface, with pieces of wicker poking me in the backside and making noise everytime I move, but...some of the antique pieces are quite elaborate. And new, modern designs give wicker an updated, and perhaps comfier, look. Postings from Pier 1 and Pottery Barn offer colors and designs suited for today, while the true "Golden Girl" can still find the elegance that perhaps once was wicker furniture.

The chaise lounge pictured here in particular caught my eye, and the seller writes, "Lady's chaise lounge from an earlier time. Built to allow a lady to recline in a full skirt but still easily arise on the left side. (notice the shorter left armrest). A one-of a kind find...the real thing." She ends with, "Come see and bring cash." $199 to be exact. Now is that very lady like?

And it's worth mentioning how versitle wicker can be. Take a look here. Ok, this may look more like Sophia's purse, but apprently it is for sale as a pet carrier.

Now onto Bamboo. Bamboo is what I feel the wood of the future! Although technically a weed (thank you Michelle!) and not? native to the U.S., bamboo is becoming more widely used in place of wood from trees, which goes without saying, saves trees! So why not embrace it in furniture design? Blanche certainly had no problem with it! She might even be considered ahead of her time! Or maybe bamboo furniture is just mandatory if you have something called a Lanai.....

In conclusion, Bamboo and Wicker may seem outdated, or strictly reserved to those who go to tropical locations to retire, but don't think we've seen the last of it! Bamboo especially has countless uses, and once you plant it, it can't be stopped! So go ahead, if it's good enough for Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia, it's good enough for anyone! Oh, just don't forget the cheesecake. And yes, it's one stop shopping, it too can be found on Craigslist. Brett's Cheesecakes, starting at just $15....and they even deliver, right to your bamboo lounger.

closet fail

Bad things always seem to happen when you least expect them. Like our recent closet failure. We were having a nice family Easter dinner when all of a sudden boom... boomboom BOOM!! The entire master bedroom closet had collapsed. My side is the left side, so now my husband thinks he has the right to tell me that it was MY fault, and that I have too many clothes.

Anyway, this leads us to designing an entire new closet. Seems one continuous closet rod and shelf that is 11 1/2 feet long doesn't work well. Who knew?

And of course this catastrophe had to happen right when we've already sunken money into a few other different household projects. So our new design can't be too costly. It's always tough to find that balance of good quality vs. least amount of money. Oh, and it needs to be done in a small amount of time, because pulling our clothes out of a pile on the guest bed won't work for very long. So I've come up with a few different options so far:

Closets to Go has a simple online design tool (with very few options) that lets you design a custom closet which they then ship to you to install. I chose this simple white setup with no drawers (turns out those aren't cheap - $461 for a set of 4 18" wide drawers and 3 shelves!) and it came to about $800.


Next I looked at Closet Organizers USA. I loved their color choices - Walnut wood and Oil-Rubbed Bronze hardware. But it was almost $1100 for this design.


My favorite website so far to design the perfect closet is Easy Closets. You can customize everything down to the 1/8 inch, add pants hangers and other cool stuff. I spent hours moving shelves around to the exact layout that I had imagined. They have the best options I've seen for the price. The closet I designed below, Espresso wood with brushed nickel hardware, came to $1276.
After my husband says no way to all of these, I'll probably try The Container Store's elfa system. I can't design anything online, I'll have to go into the store, which is probably ok. They say that they are cheaper than a custom closet, but here is a 74" wide design on sale for $718. My closet is 136" wide, so I doubt it. But we'll see this weekend.

And of course, my favorite store IKEA has a few options too. Like the ANTONIUS system. Looks pretty versatile, simple to install and adjust. And probably more in our price range. Here is a 124" wide configuration for about $264. Now that's more like it.

a home decor menagerie

It seems that everywhere you look these days there are little animals looking for someone to take them home and love them. Luckily these animals don't need to be fed, bathed or walked since they tend to be made of ceramic or metal. Everyone from Z Gallerie to West Elm and especially Jonathan Adler are becoming faux animal shelters where one could go and take their pick of a growing number of household pets and wild ones, too.





Want your own little pet but don't want to fork out loads of dough? Stop by your local GoodWill or other various thrift shops and look for any animal figurine you take a liking to. Don't worry about the terrible paint job. Modernize it with a clean coat of glossy white spray paint or any other color that suites your decor.

Peacock Plume Dish - Urban Outfitters
Whistling Bird Vase - Urban Outfitters
Ceramic Camel - West Elm
Ceramic Elephant - West Elm
Cooper the Boxer - Z Gallerie
Turtle Box - Jonathan Adler
Menagerie Collection - Jonathan Adler