7.23.2012///EVENING ENTERTAINING, AFTERNOON NAPS, RAINY DAY PROJECTS + DEMOLITION!

///I've been trying to be a more proper host to any guests that I have at my home. I even brought out the antique chinoiserie china the other night (READ: Cost Plus). A night with close friends, a bottle (or three) of wine and great food can be so much more relaxing than being out.

///I have a new bad habit...afternoon power naps. They aren't even on purpose...it just happens, and I guess my body is telling me something. Woke up on the sofa the other day to these beautiful shadows after passing out for 30 minutes with paperwork on my chest, a glass of water spilled on the floor and my iPad stuck in between the cushions...oops. 

///With all the grey and rain this past week, I spent some rare downtime in the office writing orders for all of antique textiles I have picked up on the last few buying trips to be placed in some projects. Old rugs, flags, grain sacks, blankets will be transformed (by my awesome seamstresses, and a lot of down filling) into some pretty swanky pillows.

///I also wired 6 demi-john wine jugs for lamps for different projects. One of the few electrical things I know how to do and actually enjoy. 

///Demolition day's may in fact be better than final installs for me. So much cool texture and promise of a fresh start. This shot shows the surround for a new tub going in.

///Tried (and succeeded) at staying pretty low key this weekend before one last crazy week before I am off for a month! A long walk downtown to the sculpture park and beyond filled my eyes and my phone with a bunch of new inspiring images. I cannot wait to branch out even further on my travels and  recharge the visual batteries. I may post something before I leave this week but if not...it's a silly blog...go out and see for yourself.

All the best to you.

///I GOT ATTACHED...

///One of my finds from this past weekend is going...well no where for a little while. I grew attached. I am weak. I found another mirror for the clients powder room, so this gem will grace my entry way for the time being. I swore I wasn't going to fall in love with anything this weekend...oops. 

7.16.2012///PORTLAND EXPO, GREEK PASTA, THE LOFT THAT STOPPED TIME AND ONE FULL APARTMENT

///Friday I drove myself down to Portland for the annual summer antique expo. I was not so concerned this year with being a hawk and going down on the first day and stressing myself out to maybe get a better selection. This year was about looking for a few key pieces for some current projects, catching up with some friends, seeing some friends off as they begin a new adventure and of course...the food. With a soundtrack of earlier Death Cab for Cutie, Young Statues and Robyn I made the trek...

///First find...I was off to a good start. And from there I guess I had my business hat on and didn't stop to take any pictures of the expo, but know that we had a good time.

///Dinner the first night with a great friend at Portland's Luce was just what I needed after a long drive.

///Inspiration as I've said comes in many forms and when introduced to the owner of this stunning building in downtown Portland...I. Was. Inspired. A full three floor renovation from picture frame shop to multi-use work/home. I cannot wait to see how this progresses. 

///Woke up bright and early as I often do when heading back to Seattle. I love I-5 at 6 am...so quiet and full of subtle color. With my car full and my brain full of ideas I made the dash home.

///With two big installs this week I am looking very much forward to a less cluttered office and home...and even more for the results of months and months of work to come together for them. I am very excited to share with you the final looks as I prepare to take a month off in 11 short days. I think I am finally accepting that I do indeed need this rest and can't wait to recharge my batteries in some pretty amazing places with even more amazing people. 

Here is to a healthy and productive week. 

BP INTERIORS IN LUXE INTERIORS + DESIGN MAGAZINE

///Extremely humbled to be a part of such a great print publication as LUXE! Go check it out on newsstands next week. ( I'm really not that "hip" by the way...blushed a little on that one. )

7.8.2012///PUTTING PATTERN TO WORK, HIS AND HERS DRESSERS + THAT FUNNY FEELING DURING AN AMAZING SUNSET.

///I could go on and on (and I have in the past) about how some of the world's mysteries and unknowns in our every day life are usually solved just by keeping our eyes open just a little wider and soaking in as much as you can. Soooooo I wont bore you anymore (for now) with the hippie-dippie talk. Rather, let's just look at pretty pictures...

///Feeling revived and enlightened after coming across this fabric by Celerie Kemble that I had glanced over and over but now have the perfect use for and has now inspired a whole phase of a project.

(me and my quilt fetish)

///Speaking of great pattern, I installed a set of roman shades in ZAK + FOX's Matsu this past week in a client's kitchen. The power of the internet and mutual friends brought Zak and I together and I look forward to seeing what comes from his already amazing line of fabrics.

///Finished off the entry way as well.

///A coat (or 7) of Benjamin Moore's decorator white on this fantastic teak mid-century dresser for a master bedroom.

///...and a coat of bright green on this one.

///Scored these gentleman at auction this week. They will be perfect perched above extra dining chairs in a dining room...you know once the chairs come.

///I'll get a little hippie-dippy here again and just say that I live in a beautiful place with beautiful and inspiring friends. Sharing views like these with them is what it's all about. Thanks to Daniel, for the use of his roof deck while he's away in Cyprus, I know he misses this view, almost as much as I miss him. 

OK! back to work, and sun tea and too many cookies and...oh yeah 19!!! DAYS!!! until I leave for Europe!!!

7.3.2012///I AM NOT AN OVERLY DETAIL ORIENTED PERSON BUT...

///A "little" Jielde love just arrived at a Palm Springs project. Just what the room needed.

///A clients switch plate on top of newly installed printed grasscloth.

///Trim detailing in a new client's home that I hadn't much noticed until letting the painters in one morning and the light was just right. It left me with a big grin for the rest of the day.

7.1.2012///A NEW PROJECT, "VACATION", A BOAT, A BEACH + A CAR FULL OF TREASURES

///In the past week I have picked up a new client, lost a dear assistant, slept what seems like 4 hours, ate a really burger, got my first spray tan (no comment's please) and felt a little overwhelmed. Who knew being the kid who worked in his PJ's picking lamps and shams for people would get overwhelmed...well let me squash the rumor that my/our job is easy. Rewarding, YES, but not a walk in the park by any means...

And with that, let's get back to the thing that keeps the lights on around here...work. I am silly with excitement to begin a project that has been almost 3 years in the works for a friend here in Seattle. With nods to Darryl Carter, my dear Grant Gibson and Jon Call, I plan on transforming an already well built 3 story condo into what will hopefully look like a cottage in the English countryside...we shall see. Linen is our friend.

///To help with the stress I decided to take to the water on a weekend adventure to Port Townsend and beyond for some salt air, antiquing and amazing pizza...as well as a little quiet.

///All of the paint textures, salt faded buildings and rough textures always help to recharge my creative batteries even though it was grey and 55 degrees out...

///The antiquing gods were WITH ME this weekend as my car was overflowing with great finds. I must have put out into the universe good thoughts for this new project because we are off to a fantastic start. Barely back from unloading the car, I sit here thinking about how I need to get away more, even if just 60 miles away to change perspective. I am constantly preaching about keeping your eyes open but it only works if you change the locale as well. Keep your eyes peeled kids.