The Chronicles of Alliance Chiropractic's fabulous new office - Prologue

My client and friend, Dr Vivian Ledesma, (who also happens to be my chiropractor), bought an office condominium in The Ruby on Eastlake Avenue East in Seattle. 

She asked me to help her design a warm, welcoming space - what fun!  Not only is she a wonderful, caring doctor but the best client ever, so of course I said "Yes!" and started gathering ideas and materials back in December.

There were too many bureaucratic issues to go into but everything came together in the final hours and she closed on April 12th - also her birthday! - then the team met to go over the plan of attack:

Architect: Keith Smith, General Contractor:  Mike Johnson, Dr Viv......

The Designer.....moi

Great things are coming.....stay tuned!

Nancy Corzine, Queen of Glamour

I was inspired to see and hear Nancy Corzine, a truly stylish and gutsy woman, at theSeattle Design Center on April 7th.   She was brought back to her hometown of Seattle by Elinor and Verve (a very stylish showroom!) to promote her new book, "Nancy Corzine, Glamour at Home".  Best of all, she shared with a roomful of designers many of her life's most powerful moments - it was impressive and moving.

I have always lusted after her designs - they remind me of a 1930's Fred Estaire and Ginger Rogers movie set...

Wallpaper: it's back......

It's a long story.......anyway, I just  received my copy of the above book, "Wallpaper, A history of Style and Trends" by Carolle Thibaut-Pomerantz and am enthralled!  Martha Stewart Living said, " The jaw-dropping images alone are worth the price tag."  And, it's true!  This is a coffee table-worthy book, not just for wallpaper aficionados or even Francophiles (like me) but anyone who appreciates the history of design and comfort.  

Ms Thibaut-Pomerantz, a French-American decorative arts dealer who has the good fortune to divide her time between Paris and New York, deftly traces the history of this design essential from its 16th century emergence to today's refinements.  A must-have book for any design library!

I first read about Ms Thibaut-Pomerantz in my latest issue of France Today, and was intrigued enough to order her book, partly because of this image, at right.  Classically beautiful!

So what is it about wallpapers that add so much to a room?  They are a wonderful way to bring in all-encompassing color and/or texture, and work especially well for small spaces.

Some of my favorites are:  Vintage panoramique designs....

Vintage Art Deco and  Art Nouveau....

 ....damask, flocked (yes - really!  But cool this time around)......

Graphic, modern, or embellished.....

Even this fun pattern from Anthropologie....

 Or a tres cool entry..... or accent wall.....

It's good wallpaper is back...

The Secret World of Design...... Nordex 2010

March 11&12 the Seattle Design Center hosted Nordex 2010, Seattle's version of "Market", in which the design industry is enlightened by national speakers, designers, professors, authors, and company representatives about the latest products and trends.  After two solid days of speakers, products, and parties, I came away with one main concept:  customization. That's the essence of design, isn't it?

The opening keynote speaker, James Ford Huniford, talked about incorporating his love of "found objects" into interior design projects - for me, the essence of "contemporary" and "green" - and gave us a preview of his new furniture line.  Plus, he loved and gave a big shout out to local fab store (and NWSID member!) Great Stuff , purveyor of all things great and re-purposed. 

Michael Bruno, the founder of 1st Dibs, was the inspiration for so many things and he illuminated his rapt audience with predictions for the next 10 years of design online.  Hint:  better printers, online portfolios, more cell phone use (really?  more?), 3D modelling tools, design Utopia.......

Thad Hayes was the keynote speaker the second day of Nordex and, despite technical AV difficulties, he managed to share with us some wonderful designs.  I LOVE the idea of large dining rooms with large tables for entertaining but placing a small table for two at one end of the room - perfect for intimate meals!

Joan DeJean, explained to us fellow Francophiles, how the French under les Louis Quatorze et Quinze, ushered in the "age of comfort" through the introduction of the "sopha".  Oh la la!

I'm inspired again!

Neighborhood Beat: Georgetown

I was in Designer heaven for about an hour last night!  First, there was a celebration at Dixie Stark Home to toast the boutique's grand opening.  What gorgeous things - it was a treat for the senses!  Custom designed furniture, lighting, accessories; deliriously scented candles; incredibly luxurious Loro Piana fabrics; handmade wallpaper -- really cool stuff and worth a trip.

Then we stopped in Susan Wheeler Home on Airport way......

She has amassed a glorious selection of vintage furniture, accessories, tableware, glass.....

....and even vintage clothing.  The store is right next door to Great Stuff Vintage Furnishings, home to way- cool industrial/re-purposed, chicness - and down the block from scrumptious Stellar Pizza 

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A Francophile's dream

I just paid a visit to Maison de France , in Bellevue, WA and it is a Francophile's dream!  Everything is imported from France: tableware, linens, music - all wonderful things!

Opened by Blaise Bouchand in 1996 it's definitely going to be a destination on the Eastside for me.