Revival Home & Garden

Peek-a-Boo!

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:11:00 +0000

Of all the projects I am lucky enough to work on, I have to say that children's rooms are often my favorites -- they tend to allow for the boldest color choices, most whimsical patterns, and certainly the most direct clients. People seem to be more willing to take risks in kids' rooms, perhaps because they feel more temporal, knowing that the kids will at some point paper it with posters of the future Robert Pattinson, or paint it all black right before they stop speaking to everyone in the family and padlock their door.

I recently completed a nursery project that was special for a number of reasons, which I am pleased to say you'll be able to read all about in the next issue (April 2013) of Seattle magazine!

Here's a sneak peek:

Get Plastered

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 22:55:00 +0000

No, this isn't a post about what I did on election night (though I am not denying anything) -- this is about ANOTHER kind of plaster, one that I may even prefer over the alcoholic variety....may.

Over the last year or so I have had the great pleasure of getting to know a wonderfully talented local artist/designer/generally fabulous person named Tamara Codor, who with partner Sterling Voss is the brains/beauty/brawn behind Codor Design. You may have read about her from one or more of my pals here in Seattle, so it almost seems fruitless for me to try and describe or depict her work better than they already have. But when did that stop me?

I was lucky enough to get a private tour of her Seattle showroom a few weeks ago, and now I am (more) obsessed with owning one of her plaster-covered mirrors. To the best of my recollection (correct me if I'm wrong, Tamara), she culls found objects like plastic frogs, toy boats, rope, dolls and other miscellaneous oddities that make my heart sing, applies them to wonderfully shaped mirrors, and coats the entire piece in plaster to an austere, haunting effect.

Here are some favorites:

That bird!

Can you spot the toy violin (or "fiddle," as we call it in the South)?

The frog kills me.

This one is smaller scale, and I think my very favorite. It would look smashing against one of my client's Albert Hadley black-and-white "Fireworks"-papered bathroom walls. (My English teacher would cringe at that sentence.)

The devil is in the details.

Here's a peek at her back room:

Ironically, my favorite thing in her entire showroom is a piece that was left behind by a previous tenant. Add a coat of white paint and VOILA! A white monkey holding up some stuff.

Speaking of her showroom...

A sampling of her custom furnishings:

A cast-glass Louis coffee table (!)

This chandelier is HUGE and amazing, with rotating arms.

And as if all this weren't enough reason to envy Tamara's talent, she's also a talented artist... I happened to spy this pile in a corner, only to find out she had created the whole lot.

Get thee to Codor Design. Buy a plaster mirror and tell her Leah sent you.

Appetite for Destruction

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:22:00 +0000

Love at first sight -- it is indeed a rare and special thing. I was lucky (unlucky?) enough to fall prey to it recently...On a leisurely weekend walk with a friend, I was inexplicably drawn to see what lived around the corner from the public beach we strolled past. I spotted a hint of a dock, and thanks to a few pre-walk cocktails (I know, I know), my accomplice -- I mean, friend -- and I waded through the water, around the bend...and I was instantly a goner.

There, before my eyes, was the most perfect house I had ever seen. Granted, all of its doors and windows were covered in cobwebs. And the stagnant pool water was the oddest shade of blue-green I had ever seen. And peering into the windows, I saw disarray and rubbish everywhere. But it was still like nothing I had ever seen in Seattle -- a Hollywood Regency diamond in the rough, made for Slim Aarons-esque pool parties and Black and White Balls.... I could see it all, even through the dirt and cobwebs.

I decided then and there that someday I would live in this house. I felt it to my core. After snapping some photos and committing the address to memory, I raced home to research the history of the home, its current ownership, etc., only to learn it had sold a few years earlier for more than $6 million. But I didn't let this deter me -- true love conquers all, right?

Here's what hooked me:

The front entrance. Really.

The fence separating me from my destiny...the fence and $6 million.

The kidney-shaped pool on the banks of Lake Washington

The world's most perfect pool house

The dock

Sunset

Detail of windows and brass hardware covering the entire back of the home

Listing photo of the home when it sold several years ago

A few weeks ago I stopped by for a quick check-in with my future home, to spot a crew of roofers hard at work...on a Sunday morning. A bit troubling, but I clung to my belief in fate and wrote it off to a minor interruption in the process of me and my house finding each other -- after all, it would take me some time (ahem) to raise the necessary $6 million to reclaim my house destiny.

So imagine my sadness when on a recent visit, instead of my dream home, I saw this in its place:

The house was....gone. As if it had never existed. Although sad to realize I would have to find a new home to be my star-crossed lover, more than anything, I mourned that no one else would ever be able to experience that same delight I felt when I discovered the house so unlike any other in Seattle, imagining what it had been like in its day -- what it could be like again. I am guessing a year from now, in its place will stand some sort of spartan modernist box, which seems to be the trend these days. Sigh.

Go to Elles

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 21:47:00 +0000

I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at an amazing new exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum a few days ago, Elles: Women Artists from the Centre Pompidou, Paris.

Because I couldn't phrase it any better, here's a description from SAM's site about the exhibition:

Elles: Women Artists from the Centre Pompidou, Paris is a landmark exhibition of more than 130 works of art made by 75 women artists from 1907 to 2007. Organized by the Centre Pompidou in Paris, home to the Musée National d'Art Moderne—the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe—this exhibition is an unforgettable visual experience that will challenge visitors' assumptions about art of the past century. This survey of daring painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, video and installation by pioneering women artists offers a fresh perspective on a history of modern and contemporary art. With humor, disdain, sensuality and ambiguity, these women represent the major movements in modern art—from abstraction to contemporary concerns.

Artists include Sonia Delaunay, Frida Kahlo, Dora Maar, Diane Arbus, Marina Abramovic, Louise Bourgeois, Atsuko Tanaka, Cindy Sherman, Sophie Calle, Hannah Wilke, Nan Goldin and Tania Bruguera, among others.

An exhilarating exhibition that has already become a milestone in the history of exhibitions, Elles: Women Artists from the Centre Pompidou, Paris will excite the casual viewer as much as the hardboiled expert.

– Marisa C. Sánchez, Associate Curator, Modern & Contemporary Art

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the show...

Helen Frankenthaler, one of my favorite artists--male or female--of all time:

Jenny Holzer:

I love these. Not part of the show but one of my favorite of her pieces from this series is this guy:

Ummm...yes.

A huge installation covering multiple walls, with multiple copies of the following texts:

Sonia Delauney, who I recently raved about:

Artist unknown -- but it was one of my favorites:

"Hilton Head Island, S.C., USA" by Rineke Dijekstra. Her work is amazing:

Cindy Sherman, who I think is pure genius:

Guerrilla Girls:

I love "Not having to undergo the embarrassment of being called a genius."

I was unfamiliar with Guerrilla Girls prior to this exhibit, but they are spectacular. In their own words:

"We're a bunch of anonymous females who take the names of dead women artists as pseudonyms and appear in public wearing gorilla masks. We have produced posters, stickers, books, printed projects, and actions that expose sexism and racism in politics, the art world, film and the culture at large. We use humor to convey information, provoke discussion, and show that feminists can be funny. We wear gorilla masks to focus on the issues rather than our personalities."

I can't say enough good things about the show, not to mention the opportunity it has given me to begin a dialogue with my two daughters, ages 6 and 4, about why women have their own exhibition -- why women are underrepresented in museum collections, in art history, and in all sorts of other places. You simply must go to Elles!

We Are Family

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:38:00 +0000

So there's the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon theory, right? I think we all have some version of that game we apply to our own lives; the more connected our world becomes, the shorter the distance between any of us. And that theory feels even more true in the design world -- it seems those of us operating within it are only one layer away from someone we admire....or, as I like to call it, one of our "design crushes."

Because I am a woman, a decorator, and, well, human, I love Nate Berkus...not only is he ridiculously talented and charming, but he is so darn cute. (Yeah, I said it.) You can imagine how excited I was when packing a One Kings Lane shipment to see the shipping address reading "Nate Berkus Associates." Aaack!

Nate (or, more likely, someone working for Nate) purchased one of my favorite items, a pair of wall panels I had made from a roll of vintage wallpaper I purchased from the etsy shop of one of my favorite bloggers, Erin Gates of Elements of Style.

And today a client alerted me to a recent EOS post about Nate's new book, illustrating the panels...featured in the book! Erin wrote that the paper is identical to that she has for sale, not knowing it is actually HER PAPER I bought years ago.

A photo from Nate's new book (courtesy of EOS) showing the panels in their new home.

A shot from the old store, showing the panels in their original home.

The way I see it, Nate, Erin and I are now practically related.

Adult Education

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 22:20:00 +0000

I have long considered myself an art lover, beginning in college with coursework in art history and time volunteering in my university's wonderful on-campus museum, the Georgia Museum of Art. Despite majoring in journalism, I briefly toyed with the idea of attending the Sotheby's Institute of Art after graduation to build upon my developing passion. (Sometimes I still fantasize about enrolling!)

And of course now, as an interior designer, I am fortunate to work with art in varying capacities -- selecting for clients and building on and around existing pieces in their collections -- so I like to think I am fairly knowledgeable about "mainstream" artwork.

Imagine my surprise and delight when volunteering last week in my daughter's first-grade art class to discover an artist who, by all accounts, I should have been familiar with: Sonia Delaunay. The teacher posted images of her work as part of the class's ongoing study of jazz and art's relation to it (!), and many of the pieces felt as if they could have been pulled directly from a contemporary gallery. The colors and shapes are bold and energetic, yet there is also a wonderful sense of whimsy about them that I find so compelling.

Much of her work focuses on the exploration of pattern and color and clearly predicts her later foray into textile design:

A contemporary of Picasso and Braque, Delaunay was married to the better-known painter Robert Delaunay (though I prefer Mme. Delaunay's work, myself). I find the story of her life to be fascinating and would encourage you to read more about it; her husband and collaborator, by all accounts her great love, died more than 38 years before Sonia, and she went on to reinvent herself many times over -- as a textile and costume designer, car decorator (!), and clothing-design collaborator with the likes of Coco Chanel and Lanvin.

An example of her fabric design...don't you love it?

Delaunay designed for the wives of celebrated architects and designers Gropius, Breuer and Mendelsohn.

Delaunay with the Citroen she decorated. I want one!

Of her life Delaunay said the following: "I have led three lives: one for Robert [her husband], one for my son and grandsons, a shorter one for myself. I don't regret not having given myself more attention. I really did not have the time."

I love that my first-grade daughter's art teacher inspired this art-history lesson for me. A great reminder of how much there will always be to learn, no matter how old we get.

I Want to Go to There

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 19:19:00 +0000

Maybe it's the Seattle summer (read: non-existent), or maybe it's just life, but lately I have been dreaming of an exotic getaway....and because in my world, exotic still has to mean affordable, I find myself thinking a lot about Mexico.

I've been only a handful of times since moving to the "other" coast 15 years ago, but there is something magical about Mexico, when you are able to get past the touristy, "faux" Mexico -- something very authentic and, for lack of a better word, primal about it. Despite seeming less prosperous by comparison, Mexican culture seems superior to ours in its emphasis on finding joy in family and life's everyday moments. The older I get, the more I want my own life to be filled with these elements, less focused on what I have or don't have.

In my research, I stumbled across this charming small hotel in Sayulita; there's no pool or beachfront access, so I'm not sure it's the right escape for this trip, considering my almost obsessive desire to plunge myself into a large body of water, but it feels enchanting. I want to go someday.

Petit Hotel Hafa

Morocco by way of Mexico. Yes, please.

I Spy

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 22:43:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:07:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:43:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:46:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:33:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:56:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:41:00 +0000

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.

The Vera Project

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:20:00 +0000

This may be akin to me posting about man walking on the moon, for how up to date I am on all my blogs and, well, almost anything that doesn't share my genetic makeup or exist within the four walls of my shop....(take a breath...long sentence warning)...

BUT these rugs from Anthropologie inspired by the "iconic scarf designs of the legendary Vera" (they phrased it better than I ever could) are killing me with their happiness and style! I am off to find a place for a square rug, so that my kids and dogs can get to work promptly destroying it.

How could you ever be sad in a room where this lived?

I actually love the idea of using these as wall hangings, as implied by the artful onsite merchandising showing the rugs in frames:

Where else can you find an 8' x 8' piece of art for less than $2K? Genius!

Deep Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:43:00 +0000

One of the many great art finds over on Strataflora.... I love this thought, because how often do we get caught up in others' opinions of us, other people WE DON'T EVEN LIKE?

This piece is by British artist Hannah Richards. I also love her "Childhood Malevolence" series:

This one is my favorite. Who among us hasn't played some part in a similar scene?

This...

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 21:21:00 +0000

makes me happy.

Apologies for lack of photo credit. Sometimes happiness trumps details.

Is This Thing On?

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 16:49:00 +0000

If you're anything like me, sometimes inspiration can be hard to come by (hence the five-month gap between blog posts). I know in this modern world, where it's all too easy to design the image of ourselves we want others to see, it's not often that the people you look up to seem, well, human. Between their designer wardrobes, product lines and television shows, and children straight from the crewcuts catalog, these people just seem from some other planet -- do they ever have to pick up dog poop? Do their dogs even poop at all? Do they ever have days that they just want to stay in bed with the covers pulled over their heads and watch a running loop of "Dr. Phil" re-runs?

Well, they may not, but I do. Sometimes the realities of life make feeling inspired not only a stretch, but not much of a priority, frankly. That being said, a little inspiration is sometimes all you need to rip off those covers and face your life head on.

I don't have any great sources of inspiration to share--although I do like some of these ideas, cheesy as they may be. Today, no amazing new sources for the perfect side table, nor any news of the business's latest success. Sometimes in life, getting through the day is all you can muster, and even that can feel like (and might even be) a huge achievement. But for me, right now in my life, it's inspiring to realize that no matter what you're doing in and with your life, you can change it. Give it all away. Close the doors. Open a window. Pack up the moving truck. Start the new business. Take the leap.

At the end of the day, doesn't it sounds great to give it all away and finally start living? Maybe it's just me.

Happy Anniversary to Me

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:37:00 +0000

I realized late yesterday amidst shuttling kids to and from daycare, meeting with clients, and catching up on e-mail that the day marked my third year of business. What a three years it has been!

When I opened the doors of my 3,000 square-foot space in Georgetown three years ago, I had no idea just how bad my timing would prove to be, dovetailing with the onset of the worst economic recession in my lifetime; in fact, I recall a headline that first week of business: "Worst Month for Retail in 2o Years." Awesome.

There were times I honestly didn't know how I would pay my rent that month, and conversely, there were days I thought my vast fortune was imminent. There were days I would say to myself -- and anyone who would listen (usually my poor husband), "I can't do this anymore. I give up." And there were days, after something wonderful happening, like being featured in Elle Decor or spending the day shopping with Rita Konig, that I would be walking on air, wondering how I ever did--or could do--anything else.

Somehow, things always worked out. Granted, that often meant being willing to change what I was doing dramatically -- moving from a gigantic space in funky Georgetown to a teeny space in the suddenly-happening Pike/Pine Corridor, pulling away from retail and concentrating almost exclusively on interior design.

There are still days when I wonder to myself how I can keep doing this -- days when everything goes wrong, pieces come damaged, customers are unhappy or, pardon my French, just plain assholes. But most days, I count my lucky stars that I get to be the boss of me....that I get to help people make their homes feel warmer, happier, more THEM. What an honor!

Even on the bad days, I am so thankful for all the people who have kept me going for the last three years, through a recession, another child, and all the other crazy ups and downs: my fabulous customers and clients. THANK YOU for your support and friendship over the years; at the risk of sounding hopelessly trite, I couldn't have done it without you.

And of course I have to embarrass my husband, who I recently busted for not reading my blog. (Lord knows he hears me droning on enough as it is!) I am so fortunate to be married to someone who pays the bills and enables me to follow my passion without concern for what it contributes in return. Even though he can make me crazy at times (seeing if you are reading today, Chad), there aren't too many days that go by that I don't stop and thank my lucky stars to be married to someone who supports my dreams, for better or worse.

I can't wait to see what the next three years holds! Happy anniversary to me.

Why I Love People #542

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 20:00:00 +0000

On Saturday I posted a notice on Craigslist in hopes of finding a wonderful intern to help out here at the office; you may or may not know that internships are standard practice in the design industry, and in many industries, creative or otherwise, as a way to give students real-world experience (often for school credit) and potentially transition into employment with the firm in question.

I am planning to hire a part-time design assistant in the fall and thought offering an internship prior to the paid position being filled would be an ideal way to find a candidate that meshes will with me and the needs of the position.

I tried to be as thorough as possible in my description of the job, but a HUGE thank-you to Jamy for pointing out the error of my ways... I received this e-mail a little while ago, which is a fabulous way to kick off the week:

Greetings,

How insulting to the design community to offer to not pay someone for the chance to work with you. Design students pay for school. They work long and hard to work for free?! And to have their own car to run your errands without reimbursement for gas?!.... and then perhaps get offered a paid position.

Thank you, soooo much for your graciousness and the respect you pay or rather not pay this profession.

So sad that a professional design firm would post this. This has been passed along to many a blog in the design community thanks for the fodder.

-Design Professional and Teacher.

In an effort to beat him or her to the punch, here's my listing (since updated to further clarify the position)....if you're not grossly offended by my offer, we'd love to hear from you!

Ridder Me This

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Ridder me this, indeed. I have recently developed a minor obsession with designer Katie Ridder's line of fabric and wallpaper.

You've probably seen Katie's interior design work in the pages of Elle Decor, House & Garden, or other favorite shelter magazines. Maybe these images will refresh your memory:

I'm not a huge fan of blogging other designers' work because, well, that's what magazines are for. But these images are a great illustration of what makes Katie's fabric and wallpaper designs so perfect -- the same simple yet chic aesthetic, and inventive and unpredictable use of color so present in her interiors is also what makes her product lines so distinctive.

Because I live in Seattle, un-affectionately known to me and friends as "Beigetown," I had to request samples of Katie's line from Chicago, where they know how to use a color or five. A few weeks ago a gigantic goodie box came (thanks, Amy!), filled to the rim with fabric and wallpaper from Katie, Martin Lawrence-Bullard, Michael Devine, Amanda Nisbet, and loads of other designers (most of) Seattle is too beige to appreciate.

While all gorgeous, I was seriously impressed with Katie's unexpected color pairings and quirky patterns.... I see a LOT of fabric and wallpaper designs through my work, and Katie's line really stands out from the crowd, which is tough to do.

I already have plans to redo my home office in this paper:

Peony

Here are some other patterns I love, available in both fabric and wallpaper:

Seaweed

Leaf

Moon Flower

Thanks to our friends in Chicago, we have most of her line represented here at the shop, so if you're in Seattle, come by for a peek. You'll be saying to yourself, "Ridder me this" in no time flat.

Conze Scheme

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 23:50:00 +0000

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful local sculptor whose work you may recognize from a recent Elle Decor feature -- one of his kinetic sculptures lives with none other than Karen -- I mean, Megan Mullally -- and her husband, the equally funny actor Nick Offerman.

Designer Ames Ingham (who holds a special place in my heart for these) decorated their home and smartly selected Peter Conze's Flamingo to accent the couple's wonderfully designed pool and related landscape. I love how it is positioned in the yard:

And let's face it: that pool shape doesn't hurt matters...

You're not able to truly appreciate the construction and impact of Peter's work in a static image; clearly influenced by the genius of Alexander Calder, each piece is carefully engineered to surprise and delight through movement and color.

Peter works in a variety of scales and tailors many of his pieces to specific clients and sites.

Detail of Flamingo

Anubis

Outdoor sculpture can go horribly wrong, and in my mind it requires a certain confidence to embrace it in your own home, but Peter's work maintains a wonderful simplicity and elegance that I think could work in a variety of aesthetics.

I'm already hard at work thinking of the right spot for one (or more) in a client's yard.

See more of Peter's work and learn more about his process here.

Seeing Green

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:28:00 +0000

For those of you patient enough to still follow along after a more than two-month absence, first of all: Thank you and, second of all, you're probably more than curious to know what compelled a new entry after such a prolonged lapse.

The last few months I have been quite busy with any number of things, including but not limited to the following: completing projects, beginning new ones, celebrating birthdays and holidays, discovering Justin Bieber, shopping for one of the hottest spots at the Sundance Film Festival, and eating candy of all varieties.

Being busy is good, of course. But throughout my busy-ness -- really, throughout my whole life -- there is always the niggling voice in the back of my head, comparing what I am doing to what everyone around me is doing. Being in a creative field, I am lucky enough to have friends and acquaintances involved in all sorts of amazing endeavors, many of whom have achieved all sorts of success; one friend has her own line of products for Anthropologie, one is a celebrated event planner and entertaining expert/TV star, another is a writer with several book deals in the works, another pens one of the most successful decor blogs, well, ever...and the list goes on and on. I am lucky to have such fabulous friends!

I get so excited for my friends' success, and often I get to benefit directly from them, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit to the occasional pang of jealousy when I hear of their brushes with celebrities, their meals and party exploits at the country's hottest spots, their seats at fashion shows and stylish swag received by drool-inducing companies.... I admit it: I. Get. Jealous. I am not proud, but as long as I can remember, I have struggled with envying the kid who got the best grade on the test, who got the lead in the school musical (I was always the funny bit player) -- for better or worse, I have always wanted to be the best. At everything. It's especially ironic because there are about 3 things out of, well, a million that I am actually good at. So as you can see, it's been a long road from there to here.

My point (and I do have one) is that a few weeks ago I had a very liberating realization that has dramatically changed my perception of reality: I realized that, with a few small exceptions, I really like my life just like it is. I don't want to be on TV -- I talk too much and too honestly to avoid humiliating myself and most people who know me. I don't want to travel often for work -- I would miss my family and our routines that outwardly make me crazy but I secretly like. I don't even want to be famous -- the idea of people pestering me all the time sounds pretty horrendous, and I would hate to have to worry about what I looked like all the time!

After thinking a lot about it, all I really want is to be able to do what I love doing (check), pay my bills on time (check), and pay myself enough to feel like a real paycheck (working on it.) Of course, if some professional recognition comes along the way, that would be welcome, but more as a validation of my talents rather than a validation of ME. It has taken me a long time to figure this out, to realize that giving up on my lifelong desire to be THE BEST is more of a trade for being happy with what I have.

Happiness is different for everyone, and I don't begrudge anyone's success, as all of our circumstances are different -- some of us have kids, some don't; some are married, some aren't; some have lots of money, some are forced to live a little more creatively -- but I share this with you in the hopes that it may influence the way you look at your own life. I'm sure the green-eyed monster isn't gone for good, but for now, he is sleeping peacefully.

The Reagan Administration

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 20:32:00 +0000

I am dying to specify something from one of my latest favorite companies -- do you know Reagan Hayes? They've been getting some fantastic press of late from the likes of Veranda and now, Elle Decor, so clearly I'm in good company in my admiration.

Producing a limited number of upholstered pieces, Reagan Hayes knows how to design a classic; every single item is perfectly proportioned and truly timeless, and I am fairly certain you could fill your entire home with their line and never tire of any of it.... Even the finishes are perfectly edited perfection!

Here's what I am dying for:

Chief among my Reagan-related obsessions is the Sylvia sofa -- not sure if it is the creamy painted finish, the sophisticated camel fabric, the bolster pillows, or that swoon-worthy back shape that makes me weak in the knees. Most likely, all of the above.

Other sofas I have loved:

And don't even get me started on the chairs!

Look at the detail on the seat back!

For once, a tagline bears a lot of truth -- Reagan Hayes' is "Youthful Elegance." Indeed.

Drop me a line for details on any of the items from their line.

A Pillow's Worth a Thousand Words

noreply@blogger.com (All Women Everywhere) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:22:00 +0000

So yes, it has been two entire MONTHS since my last post, and rather than bore you with excuses, I thought I'd let this pillow do the talking for me. Buy it here.

Now back to work!