Seattle Homes & Lifestyles Blog

The (Garden) Show Must Go On!

Dispelling fears that his retirement would mark the end of the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, Duane Kelly announced earlier this week that he is selling the show to Portland-based O’Loughlin Trade Shows. Next year’s show is already set for February 3–7 and will be titled, "Make Life Beautiful." —Julia Chang

We can’t wait to enjoy the beautiful garden displays again next year. Check out our posts (HERE and HERE) about this year’s gorgeous gardens.

Add comment July 3rd, 2009 at 08:00am Guest

NKBA Winners

Congratulations to the winners of NKBA Puget Sound’s design competition, who presented some fabulous kitchens and baths!

PRESIDENTS AWARD
Leslie Jensen, CMKBD, of Signature Woodworks

OPEN PLAN KITCHEN
1st Place: Candace Nordquist, AKBD, of Signature Woodworks
2nd Place: Scott & Sandra Gjesdahl, of Bristol Design & Construction
3rd Place: Richard Landon, CMKBD, of Richard Landon Design

LARGE KITCHEN
1st Place: Kristina Fowler, of Westhill Design Build
2nd Place: Scott & Sandra Gjesdahl, of Bristol Design & Construction
3rd Place: Vawn Greany, CKD, of Collaborative Interiors

SMALL TO MEDIUM KITCHEN
1st Place: Scott & Sandra Gjesdahl, of Bristol Design & Construction
2nd Place: Marie Lail Blackburn, CMKBD, of MLB Design Group
3rd Place: Richard Pope, CKD, of Creative Kitchen & Bath

LARGE BATH/MASTER SUITE
1st Place: Scott & Sandra Gjesdahl, of Bristol Design & Construction
2nd Place: Scott & Sandra Gjesdahl, of Bristol Design & Construction
3rd Place: Richard Landon, CMKBD, of Richard Landon Design

SMALL BATHROOM
1st Place: Leslie Jensen, CMKBD, of Signature Woodworks
2nd Place: Richard Landon, CMKBD, of Richard Landon Design
3rd Place: Chris Riddle, CKD, CBD, of Riddle Construction & Design

POWDER BATH
1st Place: Leslie Jensen, CMKBD, of Signature Woodworks
2nd Place: Candace Nordquist, of Signature Woodworks
3rd Place: Marie Lail Blackburn, CMKBD, of MLB Design Group
—Julia Chang

Add comment July 3rd, 2009 at 02:00am Guest

Did You Know? Seattle Dealers on 1st dibs

If you are a follower of interior design—or you at least read the shelter mags—then you know that online antique market, 1st dibs, is hot right now for fabulous and rare furniture finds. But did you know that you can peruse offerings from antique dealers that are based right here in the Emerald City? Find something you like, and then go see it in person. Here is a list of the Seattle stores you’ll find on the site:

Bagatelle, (206) 855-0679
David Reed Weatherford Antiques & Interiors
Deja Neu
Galen Lowe Art & Antiques
Great Stuff
Honeychurch Antiques
John Yaconetti Antiques, (206) 284-4967
Turner Helton, (206) 443-9769
Polly McArthur & Associates
Red Ticking

Here are some of our favorites, for sale right now:

From Left: Shreve sterling tea service, 3,500 at David Reed Weatherford; French moustache-backed club chair, $3,200 at Deja Neu

Early American farm table, $5,200 at Red Ticking; huge lithograph post card: Lucy the Elephant, $2,800 at Great Stuff

French Art Deco living room suite, $19,950 at Bagatelle; silver Louis-Philippe mirror, $3,900 at Polly McArthur & Associates

pair of English elbow chairs, $7,295 at John Yaconetti; Chinese Han Dynasty Burial Statues, $1,800 at Honeychurch Antiques

Alligator skull, $1,800 at Galen Lowe At & Antiques; Brighton beach chair, $2,200 at Turner Helton

1 comment July 1st, 2009 at 10:34pm Stacy

Roundup: Acid Brights

Who says the ’80s are dead? Acid brights are back, and we’ve rounded up the brightest of the bunch. Jazz up a classic form with a shocking splash of chartreuse or play up haute stye with an even hotter hue. 

Spencer Side Table, $595 at Revival Home and Garden; Serious Bokay wallpaper by Nama Rococo, available through Hermitage.

Coral cafe table by Chris Kabatsi for Arktura, $399 at Unica Home; Daisy pillow, $24.95 at CB2.

 
Raw side table by Jens Fager for Muuto, $358 at Unica Home; DeLuxe 16-piece plastic cutlery set, $120 at Moss.

 
Bauhaus arc floor lamp, $199 at CB2; BB02 Table by notNeutral, $403 at Velocity Art and Design.

Add comment July 1st, 2009 at 08:00am Angela

+OO Collection by Blu Dot for Urban Outfitters

 One of our favorite minimalist modern furniture manufacturers, Blu Dot, has teamed up with hipster boutique Urban Outfitters to create a small line of affordable, stylish furniture. Even though there are only a few pieces to choose from, we like what we see:

From Left: Tripod Side Table, $98; Lily Pad Coffee Table, $198

Slider Console, $548; Easy Reader Side Table, $148

In a Pinch Chair, $128; Bendzo Sofa, $648

Tripod Side Table, $98

Add comment June 30th, 2009 at 10:53am Stacy

American Slate Showroom

Check out American Slate’s new showroom at 711 South Fidalgo Street. Enjoy light refreshments at their three-day-long open house, today through July 1. We hear there is an amazing stone tree-stump vanity in the model bathroom and can’t wait to see the rest of the new space!

Wild Hyena Mosaic

Add comment June 29th, 2009 at 01:00pm Angela

Rosanna Table Setting Contest

Attention dishware divas! Rosanna’s third annual Table Setting Contest starts on July 1 and ends August 31. The winner will receive a $500 Rosanna gift certificate. All you have to do is create a beautiful tablescape with gorgeous dishware and your own personal touches. 

To enter:
1. Design a beautiful table setting for two. (No Rosanna dishware or actual food required.)
2. Include a statement with information about yourself and your design inspiration.
3. Send in photos via e-mail or by snail mail to info@rosannainc.com or 440 S. Holgate St., Seattle, WA 98134, Attn: Table Setting Contest by August 31.
For complete entry rules and guidelines, click HERE.

To see what it takes, check out these winning entries from last year’s contest.

Clockwise from top left: First Place, "Christmas in August" by Ashley Nichols-Lee; Second Place, "Glam Christmas" by Sheena Kelso; Honorable Mention, coffee and cake spread, Brooke Weldon; Couture Table of the Year, around the world tablescape, Tresa Nichols.

Add comment June 29th, 2009 at 08:00am Angela

Green, Clean and Lean Home Tour

It may look like other homes in the Highlands, but a four-bedroom Issaquah home is an anomaly in Washington. Built by Bennett Homes with an emphasis on indoor air quality and low-impact living, it is one of the few houses in the state to receive certification from both the American Lung Association and Energy Star Homes Northwest.

The house will be open to view today and tomorrow for the "Green, Clean and Lean Home Tour." The open house is organized to inspire and educate potential homeowners about energy-efficient living. Visitors can also attend seminars on topics ranging from how to maintain a home for good indoor air quality to green interior design. —Aislyn Greene

For more details, click HERE. 

Add comment June 26th, 2009 at 08:00am Guest

REX Award Winners

The Master Builders Association’s Remodeling Excellence (REX) Awards, recognizes the work of professionals who create dream living spaces for their clients. Entries are judged by a panel of experts, who consider aesthetics, general design, budgetary considerations and special challenges. We congratulate the 2009 REX Award Winners:

BATH EXCELLENCE
More than $75,000
Shirey Contracting, Inc.
The addition of 100 square feet made it possible to include a whirlpool tub and walk-in closet. Environmentally friendly materials and a unique shower design that incorporated a window-wall added a modern touch.

$40,000–$75,000
Gaspar’s Construction
A cool, light palette of white and silver kept the original character of the 1911 Capitol Hill home while making the new master bath bright and classic. Antique touches in the lighting fixtures complemented the retro sensibilities of the other fixtures. 

Less than $40,000
Tenhulzen Remodeling, Inc.
The formerly cramped space got some pizzazz without having to relocate windows or plumbing, making the project cost-efficient without the sacrifice of design. A lower vanity utilized awkward space below the window, and sandy-hued tiles paired with barn-red walls pulled it all together.

KITCHEN EXCELLENCE 
More than $175,000
Seattle Design Build, LLC
The home failed to take advantage of the dramatic views of the Olympic Peninsula. Its dark, cramped kitchen was also in need of a makeover. With the remodel, the house was drastically opened up to do justice to the panoramic view with an added sunroom and a large, modern kitchen.

$125,000–$175,000
Gaspar’s Construction
The kitchen, blocked off by a wall, felt small, gloomy and restricted. The kitchen was redesigned as a contemporary and elegant space with custom wenge and zebra wood cabinets and slab verde bamboo granite countertops.

$75,000–$125,000
Ventana Construction
An outdated kitchen was transformed into a warm, bright room. Some of the new features include an eating nook, new french doors with period details, subway tile, a farmhouse sink and vintage-style lighting fixtures.

Less than $75,000
Blox Construction, Inc.
Charlie and Angela decided that it was time to renovate their 1929 bungalow home as they had always wanted. The dated and mismatched finishes were replaced by materials with an artistic and streamlined style.

MAJOR REMODEL EXCELLENCE
More than $600,000
Anderson Construction Group, Inc.
The goal during the remodel of a 1926 home in Washington Park was to replicate the period elements that already existed, for a timeless and elegant living space. The interiors were stripped and rebuilt with custom interior and exterior millwork.

$300,000–$600,000
Weitzel Construction, Inc.
This remodel gave the homeowners a basement workshop; a larger family room; enlarged living, dining and kitchen spaces; and a new master suite. On top of all this, a sleek and dramatic flat roof replaced the old gable roof. 

Less than $300,000
Dyna Contracting, Inc.
Style and livability in this home were taken care of with a dramatic restructuring of the entryway and the repurposing of rooms for more functional spaces. 

REBUILD EXCELLENCE
More than $500,000
Dyna Contracting, Inc.
It’s all in the details with fir-trim panels that span from the main entry porch through to the back entrance and a freestanding magnetic chalkboard wall watching over the kitchen. The use of natural and sustainable materials throughout created a brighter, more efficient home. 

Less than $500,000
CTA Builds, Inc.
The builders kept the charming cottage feel of the home while giving the owners the extra space and functionality they desperately needed. A new entry, mudroom, bedroom and bathroom were carefully designed with the lifestyle of an active family in mind.

GREEN EXCELLENCE
LastingNest, Inc. and Velocipede Architects, Inc.
A family home that will last for a century and works with the neighborhood’s proportions was only the third remodel to earn a Built Green 5-star designation. Featuring “the most extensive and efficient use of salvaged materials,” this 1903 house was thoroughly brought into an environmentally conscious 21st-century world. 

DESIGN EXCELLENCE
Details/Finishes/Trades
Dyna Contracting, Inc.
A new garden gate was made to match the owners’ coffee table and to allow their Portugese water dog to see through. Both items are made from custom-forged, powder-coated steel, and the gate has a stainless-steel latch and is made from ipe wood.

Landscaping
Berg’s Landscaping
The city of Kirkland generously donated an extra 600 square feet of land to the client, who desired the construction of an outdoor living space with a special Asian flair. A water feature, large patio area, gas fire pit and a collection of beautiful plants and trellises made this vision come to life.

Universal Design
Stewardship Remodeling
Sparked by a need for garden sheds to house yard equipment, this project faced an additional challenge. The homeowners wanted to preserve an old-growth cedar stump that housed native salal and huckleberry, which was nourished by the runoff from the vegetated roof above. The problem was solved by a Trex boardwalk that flowed to the vintage barn doors, allowing easy access into the garden sheds. 
—Julia Chang

For more information about this year’s REX Award winners, click HERE.

Add comment June 25th, 2009 at 12:04pm Guest

H&M Home

H&M—European purveyor of all things stylish and affordable—recently announced that it is teaming up with Jimmy Choo to release a collection of shoes, handbags and accessories this fall. When we heard that, we were reminded of H&M’s other new collection, which launched early this year. The twist? This one is for the home, not for fashion.

Likened to IKEA for its price point and design aesthetic, H&M’s home collection is currently available online only in the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Germany and Austria. The collection has four different lines: Classical, Design, Natural and Youthful. Now we’re just wondering when it will hit our sandy shores. —Aislyn Greene

 
Youthful

Classical

Natural

Design

Add comment June 25th, 2009 at 08:00am Guest