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MAGAZINE: pacific northwest design
sneak peek
real. local. design.
cont October
November 2011
Departments
4 Hello Introducing GRAY.
6 Raves GRAY’s picks for the hottest products in the market.
10
Décor
The coming of fall calls for some prehibernation preparation.
14 Interiors
A blank canvas is a design dream for Vancouver’s Inoui Design Collective.
2
20 Shopping
Curtis Steiner’s Seattle store offers unmatched treasure.
22 Entertaining
Heather Christo sets an early fall table that captures the best of the season.
36 Tech
The best of two-wheeled innovation.
38 Resources
Design resources from the issue.
39 Zodiac
32 Who
A design horoscope for diplomatic Libra and passionate Scorpio.
34 Architecture
26 Secret Garden
Architectural luminary George Suyama releases his first solo monograph. Projects from Olympia, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Features
Allworth Design creates a garden to offer the best privacy and Northwest views.
tents ✤
On the Cover
Custom chandelier from Portland’s Esque (esque-studio.com).
six.
See Raves on page
Written by stacy kendall
sneak peek preview issue
Visit graymag.net to subscribe.
hello
Jordan Isi
p
m
aybe we’re crazy. To start a regional magazine dedicated exclusively to design—coming out six times a year, in print no less—in the middle of economic uncertainty might seem insane. The thing is, we can’t think of anything that feels more right than doing this right now. We want to show the best of real, local design. After we decided to embark on this GRAY adventure, we found marvelous design, talented people, and beautiful products were easily collected and available in this region.The amount of enthusiasm we encountered from people in our area who wanted what we wanted—an honest-to-goodness design magazine dedicated wholly to our corner of the world—was inspiring. As GRAY nears the launch of its inaugural issue this December, we thought we’d share with you what we’re so excited about. Here you’ll get a glimpse—a sneak peek, if you will—at a handful of stories that will appear in upcoming issues. Let us know what you think, and share with us any story ideas you might have. We’d love to hear from you. A GIANT thank-you to our gifted contributors and other individuals who expressed an interest in GRAY early on and have since gone above and beyond to help us bring this magazine to you, our design family.
xo,
Email: angela@graymag.net Subscribe: graymag.net
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™
MAGAZINE: pacific northwest design
Creative Director Shawn Williams
Editor Angela Cabotaje
Writer heather Christo
Photographer hank drew
Writer rachel gallaher
Photographer john granen
heatherchristo.com In this issue: Entertaining (pg 22)
hankdrew.com In this issue: Décor (pg 10)
Style Director Stacy kendall
Editor at Large Lindsey m. roberts
Contributors Heather Christo Elle d hank drew rachel Gallaher John Granen Taylor Grant Alex hayden seattle models guild stace Jen Steele Marty wingate
In this issue: Interiors (pg 14) and
Architecture (pg 34)
johngranen.com In this issue: Shopping (pg 20) and Entertaining (pg 22)
Photographer alex hayden
Editor at Large lindsey M. roberts
Photographer jen steele
Writer marty Wingate
Advertising kim Schmidt (kim@graymag.net) Info (info@graymag.net)
Subscriptions GRAYMAG.NET INFO@GRAYMAG.NET
Special thank-yous to: suzie & Barney osterloh, Randy Altig, joe cabotaje, fred good, Katherine Grayson, David Kendall, bob mcclane, gail mcclane, jill mogen, David Papazian, peter quist, Shirley Sax, Ellen Shannon, giselle smith, vicki smith, marnie tyson, Brian Williams, dale williams.
Vol. 1, PREVIEW. Copyright ©2011, published bimonthly by Gray Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpts granted by written request only. While every attempt has been made, GRAY cannot guarantee the legality, completeness, or accuracy of the information presented and accepts no warranty or responsibility for such. GRAY is not responsible for loss, damage or other injury to unsolicited manuscripts, photography, art or any other unsolicited material. Unsolicited material will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. If submitting material, do not send originals unless specifically requested to do so by GRAY in writing.
alexhayden.com In this issue: Secret Garden (pg 26)
jensteele.com In this issue: Interiors (pg 14)
lindseymroberts.com In this issue: Who (pg 32)
martywingate.com In this issue: Secret Garden (pg 26)
sneak peek
5
raves
hot Sophisticated jewel tones and chic neutrals fit famously into interiors this fall, while shopping local is always in style Written by stacy kendall
6
list ✤
High glass
chandelier
Justin Parker and Andi Kovel of Esque designed a jaw-dropping custom for the new Sephora store in New York City, out of 180 hand-blown glass bottles inspired by the earliest known perfume bottle shapes.
âžş
You can take home a piece of Esque for yourself with its new playful Cozy Bottles with hand-knit covers in three delightful colors. $900 each at Esque, Portland, esque-studio.com. Inquire for custom glass orders.
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Chair Apparent
Upholstered in recycled German army blanket and constructed from handsome walnut and sleek aluminum, the 1.2 Chair by Urbancase is first in line for a sophisticated side or dining chair. $750 in Seattle at Velocity Art and Design, velocityartanddesign.com; in Portland at EWF Modern, ewfmodern.com.
Slide, Rules
Urbancase’s new Side Bar ups the ante again for bar-related furniture. Stunning in solid walnut with a Corian top, it has a panel that cleverly slides out to reveal its interior storage. We’ll raise a glass to that. $3,100 in Seattle at Velocity Art and Design, velocityart anddesign.com; in Portland at EWF Modern, ewfmodern.com.
“We were interested in designing a product that is in contrast to our electronic environment. A way to relax at the end of the day or socialize with friends that doesn’t include a television, computer, or personal electronic device.’’ —Darin Montgomery, Urbancase
Hot Shot
Elegant soapstone keeps adult beverages staying and looking cool in Teroforma’s new Ekke shot glasses. The nonporous stone retains temperature for long periods of time, but our guess is that the glasses won’t stay empty for long. $38 for a set of four at Tilde, Portland, tildeshop.com.
Get Inked<
Banish the boring in the kitchen and welcome modern details with the Ink Blot Tea Towel by Pigeon Toe Ceramics. This abstract beauty needs no further analysis—we see pure design perfection. Or two ninjas battling each other ... $26 at Pigeon Toe Ceramics, Portland, pigeontoeceramics.com.
Army Strong
The Military Bench, designed by Kirk Albert, is one hunk of beautiful metal. Crafted in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood with American-made steel and covered with a vintage Army blanket, this limited-edition piece saves the design day. $1,800 as shown at Kirk Albert, Seattle, kirkalbert.com.
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raves Three For All It’s as easy as one, two, three—Pigeon Toe Ceramic’s take on the hanging kitchen basket is so fresh and so clean. Sophisticated, yet simple, it actually deserves four cheers. (See what we did there?) $148 at Pigeon Toe Ceramics, Portland, pigeontoeceramics.com.
“I like to challenge how an exceptionally malleable material like porcelain can be used beyond tableware— always looking to integrate new or interesting materials like rope or metal to put a new spin on a simple, classic idea.” —Lisa Jones, Owner and Creative Director of Pigeon Toe Ceramics
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décor
Nest.
Even the birds know that you need to accessorize your nest with this and that, and for fall that means cozy pillows and throw blankets. Our picks pack major punch for room dressing this season. Even for those with pattern paranoia—which we admit to, at times—who can resist a sofa filled to the brim with comfy cushions or a side chair swathed in a fantastic throw? In other words, these choices make any look fly.
Written by stacy kendall : Photographed by hank drew Modeled by elle d : Hair & Makeup by stace
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Double-faced wool blanket, $220 at Liave, Seattle, liave-home.com.
décor
GRAY asked a few local designers whether we should still be giving our throw pillows the ol’ karate chop. The verdict of our official, unofficial poll? 71 percent said “NO, chopping is out!” (But diligent fluffing is still a must.)
Left to right: Hand-printed peacock pillow, $188 at The Standard, Bellevue, thestandardinbellevue.com. ❈ Custom F. Schumacher pillow, $150 at Revival Home & Garden, Seattle, revivalhome andgarden.com. ❈ Faux zebra pillow, $240 per pair at Great Jones Home, Seattle, greatjoneshome.com. ❈ Be Nice Or Leave pillow, $140 at NuBe Green, Seattle, nubegreen.com. ❈ Vintage Schiaparelli scarf pillow, $385 at Susan Wheeler Home, Seattle, susanwheelerhome.com. ❈ Blue and green zigzag pillow, $125 at Camelion Design, Seattle, cameliondesign.com.
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Left to right: Mali mud-cloth blanket, $120 at Caldwell’s, Seattle, caldwellsonline.com. ❈ In2Green ikat recycled cotton blanket, $125 at Revival Home & Garden, Seattle, revival homeandgarden.com. ❈ Mohair throw, $220 at Veritables, Bellevue and Seattle, veritablesdecor.com. ❈ Designer’s Guild Olsson throw in lime, $234.95 at Tabletop & Home, Bellevue, tabletopandhome.com. ❈ Chunky Hand-Knit Throw, $79 at Pottery Barn, potterybarn.com.
stats
who: inoui
design collective
what: Interior design details: A full-service interior design firm specializing in creating personalized and sustainable spaces that reflect its clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; personality and style. Principal designers Kyla Bidgood and Amber Kingsnorth are both active professional members of the Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia and Interior Designers of Canada. See their work at inouidesign.ca.
interiors
400
. square . feet . The women of Inoui Design Collective embody a bold, modern design philosophy at their Victoria, B.C., office
Written by Rachel Gallaher : Photographed by Jen steele
Amber Kingsnorth and Kyla Bidgood in their Victoria, B.C., studio. opposite: Kingsnorth works at a table made from a reclaimed beam found at Port Alice cannery. Structural light fixtures purchased from Fullhouse in Vancouver add texture to the space against a backdrop of the floor-to-ceiling sample wall.
W
hen interior designers Amber Kingsnorth
and Kyla Bidgood first saw their future studio, it was a mess. Lumber was scattered about, and a nine-foot drop into the basement was the first thing to greet anyone who walked through the front door.
Others might have cringed at the amount of work that would be needed, but Kingsnorth and Bidgood saw it as a chance to do exactly what they wanted—design. The two, who met while studying at Vancouver Island University, came together in 2009 to form Inoui Design Collective, a firm as hip and vivacious as the young women behind it. “We had a blank canvas, which was great for us,” Bidgood says. “We really wanted to showcase what we do best and our style, so we decided to keep the space pretty clean and modern.” The office, located in Victoria, British Columbia, was
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initially one story with an unfinished basement in a neighboring space. Seeing great possibility, the ladies decided to renovate the lower level, creating a bathroom and two work stations that they now rent out. They put their 400-squarefoot studio on the ground floor. Dark brushed-oak flooring and white painted-brick walls create visual contrast and provide a clean background for added details such as wall art, shelving, and colorful seating. It was important for the designers that their studio be functional as well as attractive. They wanted the space to reflect their design aesthetic but allow them room to grow
interiors
interiors
The reclaimed-beam table brings natural warmth to the mostly white studio, and bright-red Eames-inspired chairs provide a cheery pop of color.
and change as their tastes evolve. According to Bidgood, the sample library can get a bit unruly at times, so an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling adjustable shelving at one end of the studio was essential. Three large windows provide a lot of natural light, and side-by-side workspaces facing them allow the women to easily share ideas and work together on projects throughout the day. The rolling desk chairs were purchased from a friend (who found them on Craigslist) and recovered in bold Marimekko fabric, and the office mascot—Bidgood’s shih tzu Tucker—has a matching bed in the same print.
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Behind the workspaces, a reclaimed slab of wood from Port Alice cannery makes a large table where the pair meets with clients. Bright-red chairs catch the color of the Marimekko print, and industrial-inspired light fixtures bring texture to the space. Small details such as vintage rulers along the risers of the office stairs and homemade folded magazine wall art demonstrate the women’s creativity and their design philosophy: “The fun challenge of our work is looking at what people already have and looking at how to use it in a creative way,” Kingsnorth explains. “Things don’t have to be super expensive to be really great looking and have great design.”
Clockwise from above: Framed vintage covers of plan books from a local door company liven the downstairs bathroom with color; a wall calendar created by Victoria-based graphic designer and photographer Peter Bagi, who shot the numbers from various sites and addresses in Victoria; Tucker, office mascot, sits at the top of the stairs, which are detailed with vintage rulers; Bidgood and Kingsnorth created their own magazine art to bring dimension to the painted brick walls.
shopping stats
who: curtis
steiner
what: Gallery dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Objet details: The corner space on Ballard Ave. showcases Steinerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handmade greeting cards and jewelry, as well as serves as a gallery space for a revolving mix of hand-picked artists and one-of-a-kind antiques and curiosities.
Coming up, Steiner says to expect jewelry trunk shows with a more couture look, as well as formal openings for new artists.
Notable.
Curtis Steiner works his aesthetic magic again in a striking new space in Seattle, and we’re happy to indulge in his wondrous world
Written by stacy kendall : Photographed by john granen
Come to 5349 Ballard Avenue Northwest in Seattle looking for a guitar, and you might just leave with a pair of handmade earrings instead. That’s because artist Curtis Steiner took over the former Guitar Emporium (rockers, you can still find them online) to open his eponymous boutique. He was forced to shutter his former shop, Souvenir, just a few doors down from his new digs earlier this year. Then what Steiner considers the most beautiful building on Ballard Avenue became available, and he snapped it up after having admired it for years. Many considered Souvenir to be a treasure, but Curtis Steiner is a bit of a treasure himself. In his own words, he’s “kind of an eccentric retailer.” Indeed, he has elevated the shopping experience from less grab and go to more beauty by osmosis—just walking in imbues one with style superpowers. If that sounds de trop, that’s the point. Antiques, curios, handmade cards, works by local artists, and whatever else pops into Steiner’s lovely head are all arranged for the express purpose of being beautiful. For him, what other purpose could possibly exist?
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entertaining
al f stats
who: HEATHER
CHRISTO
what: Chef and entertaining expert details: A classically trained chef and entertaining expert, Christo mixes classically gracious hostessing with a modern sensibility. Her personal recipe and party blog, heatherchristo.com, and soon-to-be book on entertaining raises the bar for Northwest seasonal cooking and the art of the at-home celebration.
fresco Written by Heather christo : Edited by Stacy Kendall : Photographed by john granen
✤
Menu
Platter of fresh sliced figs, prosciutto, and
Burrata cheese
Cauliflower carrot soup with goat cheese and crispy shallots
Spaghetti with arugula pesto and golden beets Mustard-glazed roast salmon
Pistachio ricotta pound
cake with roasted fall fruit compote
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F
all in the Northwest is a special time. The days are warm, and the light is soft well into the evenings. Dahlias are still in bloom, tomatoes ripen, and leaves have barely started to change color. All of us who live here are gifted with an incredible extension of summer well into October, and we spend as much time as possible soaking up the warmth outdoors. I love to throw parties outside for as long as the weather holds. Early fall is one last opportunity to enjoy this gorgeous seaon, and I want to take full advantage of it. For this party, I embraced a contrasting color palette of deep plums and aubergine—reminiscent of fall—mixed with bright and exuberant turquoises—playful and summery. These hues collide in a tablescape filled with vintage turquoise ceramics swimming in a backdrop of purple blooms. And because of my love for incorporating edibles into my tables, I added mounds of dark-skinned plums, ripe figs, and shiny blackberries spilling from the center of the table. For the menu, I selected a meal that highlights seasonal and fresh ingredients in the fall, taking care to consider colors and textures that would stand out on the table. I started with a platter of fresh figs (several varieties are easily grown here in the Northwest), thin slices of prosciutto, and creamy Burrata cheese. The first course is a gorgeous vegetable soup that is a brilliant orange color. Next comes a bright-green pasta dressed with arugula pesto and golden beets, served next to a mustard-glazed roast salmon. Dessert is a crowning jewel of pistachio ricotta pound cake topped with a medley of fall fruits, echoing the tablescape bounty.
Pistachio Ricotta
Pound Cake
Serves 8
¾ cup raw pistachio nuts 1½ sticks butter 1½ cups ricotta cheese 1½ cups sugar 3 eggs 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup flour 2½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a loaf pan with baking spray. 2. Put the pistachios in a food processor and pulse until completely ground. Set aside. 3. In the bowl of a standing mixer, cream the butter, ricotta, and sugar until fluffy. 4. Add eggs and vanilla and combine well, scraping the sides down if needed. 5. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, pistachios, baking powder, and salt. 6. Add the dry ingredients to the mixer and beat until well combined. 7. Pour the batter into the loaf pan. 8. Bake the cake for one hour or until the top is golden and the center is set up. 9. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on a rack until you can comfortably turn the cake out onto a platter or a cutting board. 10. Slice the cake and serve with fresh or roasted fruit.
Roasted Figs, Plums,
and Blackberries
Serves 8
4 cups blackberries, plums, and figs, sliced in half ¼ cup sugar 4 tbs butter 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 2. Place all of the fruit face up in the baking pan. 3. Sprinkle with the sugar. 4. Drizzle butter over the fruit and sugar. 5. Bake for 30 minutes. (If you are serving with the pistachio ricotta pound cake, just put the fruit in with the cake for the last 30 minutes of baking and they will be finished at the same time.) 6. Serve hot with the buttery juice in the pan over pistachio ricotta pound cake or over ice cream or yogurt.
With favorite sources ranging from the grocery store to Seattle’s Great Jones Home, Christo’s knack for mixing new, old, edible, and non-edible accents is the key to her elegant parties. In this case, more is definitely more—especially when Christo incorporates the unexpected, such as her love of vintage jewelry. Christo hunts for sparkle at Rhinestone Rosie’s on Upper Queen Anne and often pins ribbons with vintage baubles to make custom napkin rings.
✤
For the full list of Christo’s go-to sources, check out the extended story on the GRAY blog, graymagazine.blogspot.com.
Allworth Design creates a garden with private beauty that is open to the best of its faraway surroundings. Written by marty wingate : Photographed by alex hayden
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stats
landscape: Allworth
Design Group architecture: REx Hohlbein Architects installation: Nussbaum
details: Allworth Design was created by landscape architect Randy Allworth, who designs seemlessly integrated landscapes that show the best of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s built and natural surroundings. See his work at allworthdesign.com
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left: Entry from the auto court turns a corner along a path of crushed rock, passing beside a metal structure reminiscent of window blinds designed by Allworth Design. Below: Across the lilyturf and reflecting pool, the eye is drawn through the house for an unimpeded view to the other side.
“W
e can see the weather coming,” Ann Ewel says of the view that she and her husband Jim have from the west-facing terrace of their house in Clyde Hill.
An expansive view it is, yet the landscape provides the house with a sense of privacy and intimacy—neighboring houses are artfully screened by purposeful plantings. “If you see five kinds of architecture at once, then you lose the experience,” explains Randy Allworth, who is principal at Allworth Design. Called the Hinoki house, the home with its garden creates its own world. Allworth notes that the landscape is integrated into its setting because of “complete collaboration from the time the property was purchased” between all those involved with the project—homeowners, Rex Hohlbein
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Architects, Nussbaum Group, and Allworth Design. Upon entering the auto court, the rest of the world vanishes. Oversized paving slabs—made using cast-in-place concrete—lead the way through a sea of lilyturf and then over the reflecting pool that mirrors the sky. The solitude of the space does not speak for the entire garden though. “Each area has its own personality,” Ann notes of the gentle transformation from woodland to cutting garden. The water changes its tune when it moves south, passing through a narrow channel from the quiet pool and into a rough-and-tumble space along the master bedroom
Trees and shrubs provide a mixed screening hedge around this Clyde Hill garden with a waterfall that rushes over large Montana stone.
Above: In the sunniest corners of the garden, ground-hugging sedum basks against rocks. center: a path snakes through the perimeter of the garden, traveling through the sunny southwest corner and up to the lawn and Ann’s cutting garden. right: The evergreen strawberry tree offers both flower and fruit in November.
suite. It becomes a stream with a lively sound, splashing and churning against the expansive stone steps. The perimeters of the property are planted with screening trees and shrubs, including evergreens, such as native shore pines, California wax myrtle, and a strawberry tree. The variety in plant selection offers interest in any season. In winter, the long flower clusters of the silk tassel bush dangle like icicles. Spring finds the early color from red-flower ing currant, and throughout summer, lavender, crocosmia, and a host of other plants bloom. Allworth included color for fall, too, in the foliage of the Japanese stewartia as well as sourwood—which turns shocking shades of orange—and witch hazels that color up
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in autumn and also provide winter-scented flowers. Part of the fall color comes from three old Japanese maples, retained from the former landscape and transplanted to different spots around the new garden. In spring and summer, their threadleaf foliage offers a soft visual texture, and in autumn, warm colors. But the show isn’t all leaves, because the old, twisted, mossy branches provide an intricate pattern that is seen best after the leaves fall. “I love them in winter, because you can see inside,” Ann says. Ann and Jim’s property is an enclosed garden open to the world—the near views of neighboring houses and all the trappings of the suburbs vanish while the distant views draw the world close.
As the still water from the reflecting pool passes through a narrow channel, it tumbles down a small fall and over rocks, creating a lively scene outside the master bedroom suite.
who
George
SUYAMA Written by lindsey m. roberts
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The first solo monograph for Suyama explores and defines the interrelationship between inside and outside, which has come to define architecture in the Northwest as well as Suyama’s work since 1971.
PAUL WARCHOL, courtesy suyama peterson deguchi
“The Northwest has been tucked away doing its own thing for so long, but now through the Internet, media and technology we’re seeing more exposure and accessibility to regional design,” Suyama says. “Our reach definitely extends beyond our region.”
L
Photos courtesy suyama peterson deguchi and University of Washington Press
ike a fern curled and protected from battering rain, the houses designed
by George Suyama, 69, of Seattle’s Suyama Peterson Deguchi Architects are protected from the weather by eaves, walkways, and verandas. It’s inside the houses that the fern opens up and windows become frames for constantly changing murals. “I’m interested in art as nature, trees as walls,” he says. In Suyama: A Complex Serenity (University of Washington Press, April 2011), Grant Hildebrand presents the architect’s buildings in an ordered evolution, from inspiration by Gene Zema’s Japanese-influenced style to development of his own language rooted in each project’s site. “Since the urban environment is expanding … connecting to nature has become an intrinsic human need,” Suyama says. “I see architecture as a way to bring the fundamental truth of nature back into our daily lives.” Suyama obtained a B.Arch. from the University of
Washington in 1967 and began working for Zema. In the late 60s, he worked for Ralph Anderson. In 1971, he started his own firm. Ric Peterson and Jay Deguchi became partners in 1983 and 2002 respectively—and over the years he’s collaborated with additional architectural luminaries such as metal worker David Gulassa and interior designer Christian Grevstad. Hildebrand notes that Suyama designs to eliminate “visual noise” and creates “visual music” instead. Wood ceilings conceal ducts, walls slide to reveal spaces, and views open toward sunlit gardens. One could argue that the beauty of Suyama’s houses is akin to the fern in another way—the plant seems effortless in its aesthetic and yet is complexly, precisely designed for its niche in the ecosystem. Australian architect Glenn Murcutt says in the forward that Suyama considers all aspects of climate, flora, location, and geography. In his search for serenity in structure, Suyama designs houses that complement the serenity of their location.
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architecture
Waste not Written by Rachel Gallaher
Water-treatment plants are often housed in low concrete buildings with signs that clearly state “keep out.” The LOTT Clean Water Alliance Regional Services Center in Olympia, Washington, has a decidedly different message. “Conceptually, we were trying to make this organization a front door to the community and create a facility that people want to interact with and learn from,” explains Scott Wolf, a partner at Miller Hull who was in charge of the project. The LOTT facility is a national leader in producing Class-A reclaimed water, the highest level of reclaimed water for nonpotable uses, and is certified LEED Platinum. It has contemporary appeal with corrugated metal siding and expanses of large windows. A wooden boardwalk leads over a reclaimed water pond into the new four-story Regional Services Center, which houses offices and an education center with interpretive exhibits and a classroom. All interior wood was salvaged from a warehouse on an adjacent lot, and the ceilings feature stretched white nylon that help bounce light back into the building, saving energy costs. Regional artist Pam Beyette created whimsical stained-glass windows for the education center and two building entrances that represent images found under a microscope at different points during the watertreatment process.
Photos by Nic Lehoux, courtesy Miller Hull
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Circus School
Photos courtesy the vancouver circus school
Written by Rachel Gallaher
Architect Marianne Amodio of Vancouver, B.C., never took up tightrope walking or tiger taming, but she did get to join the circus. The Vancouver Circus School hired Amodio to help design its new location in the city’s River Market. “I took a look at it and thought, ‘How can we make this special? How can we say circus?’” She crafted a large big-top circus tent structure out of twoby-eights to house the office space. Yellow juggling balls fill the walls of the big top for color and whimsy, while a seating area and stage accented with yellow, space-saving cubbies and the popular double-slide kids-only entrance are attached to the side. An existing tree montage art installation created the inspiration for the “stick forest,” an alternative to the required safety guardrail around the front of the escalator. “I wanted to give them something that was exciting and that spoke of what they do,” Amodio says. “When you think about circus, you instantly think about light and joy and happiness and wonder and awe.”
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high tech
Vs.
low tech: t w o w h e e l s Take the humble wheel, put two together, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re left with a centuries-old means of transportation. But what is function without a beautiful form? And what is style without any useful advancement? A pair of two-wheeled wonders show us how far they have come in both design and innovation. Written by ANGELA CABOTAJE
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tech low tech who: Traitor Cycles designs and manufactures its bicycles in Ferndale, Washington. what: Luggernaut Three Speed stats: Traitor’s Luggernaut Three Speed combines the best of classic construction and modern innovation. The traditional lugged frame uses Columbus Thron tubing painted in clean white, baby blue, or crisp black. A Sturmey Archer internal three-speed hub allows riders to shift gears and travel with efficiency. buy: $499 (frame) and $499 (three-speed build kit). For a complete list of retailers, visit traitorcycles.com.
high tech who: Brammo, based in Portland, specializes in developing and designing electric-powered vehicles. what: Enertia Plus stats: The 2011 Enertia Plus electric motorcycle features Brammo’s lithium-ion battery technology, which fully charges in approximately eight hours. The battery life allows the rider to achieve speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and travel up to 80-mile distances. The motorcycle’s lightweight extruded and welded aluminum frame comes in True Blood Red, Peacekeeping Blue, and Eclipsed Black, while a seat featuring textured black vinyl and charcoal gray synthetic suede is durable and water resistant. buy: $8,995 (preorder pricing). To purchase the Enertia Plus, visit brammo.com.
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resources
Allworth Design (pg 26) Seattle, WA (206) 623-7396 allworthdesign.com Brammo, Inc. (pg 37) Ashland, OR (541) 482-9555 brammo.com Caldwellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (pg 13) 2610 N.E. Village Lane Seattle, WA 98105 (206) 522-7531 caldwellsonline.com Camelion Design (pg 12) 5330 Ballard Ave. N.W. Seattle, WA 98107 (206) 783-7125 cameliondesign.com Crate and Barrel (pg 39) crateandbarrel.com Curtis Steiner (pg 20) 5349 Ballard Ave. N.W. Seattle, WA 98107 (206) 297-7116 curtissteiner.com Esque (cover, pg 7) Portland, OR (503) 289-6392 esque-studio.com EWF Modern (pg 8) 1122 N.W. Glisan St. Portland, OR (503) 295-7336 ewfmodern.com {Far} 4 (pg 39) 1020 First Ave. Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 621-8831 far4.net Great Jones Home (pg 12, 22) 1921 Second Ave. Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 448-9405 greatjoneshome.com Heather Christo (pg 22) Seattle, WA heatherchristo.com Inoui Design Collective (pg 14) Victoria, B.C. (250) 590-7378 inouidesign.ca
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Kirk Albert (pg 8) 5517 Airport Way Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 762-3899 kirkalbert.com
Red Ticking (pg 39) 2802 E. Madison Seattle, WA 98112 (206) 322-9890 redticking.com
Liave (pg 11) 1205 Western Ave. Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 364-0748 liave-home.com
Rex Hohlbein Architects (pg 26) Seattle, WA (206) 632-7276 rexhohlbeinarchitects.com
Marianne Amodio Architecture Studio (pg 35) Vancouver, B.C. (778) 991-0155 maastudio.com The Miller Hull Partnership, LLP (pg 34) Seattle, WA (206) 682-6837 millerhull.com Nordstrom (pg 39) nordstrom.com NuBe Green (pg 12) 921 E. Pine St. Seattle, WA 98122 (206) 402-4515 nubegreen.com Nussbaum Group (pg 26) Seattle, WA (206) 545-0111 nussbaum-group.com Peter Bagi (pg 19) Victoria, B.C. (250) 818-2931 peterbagi.com Pigeon Toe Ceramics (pg 8, 9) 727 S.E. Morrison St. Portland, OR 97214 (503) 709-5479 pigeontoeceramics.com Pottery Barn (pg 13) potterybarn.com Provide (pg 39) 529 Beatty St. Vancouver, B.C. V6B 0G2T (604) 632.0095 providehome.com Revival Home & Garden (pg 12, 13) 1517 12th Ave. Seattle, WA 98122 (206) 763-3886 revivalhomeandgarden.com
The Standard (pg 12) 10697 Main St., Ste. 3 Bellevue, WA 98004 (425) 467-1164 thestandardinbellevue.com Susan Wheeler Home (pg 12) 5515 Airport Way S. Seattle, WA 98108 (360) 402-5080 susanwheelerhome.com Suyama Peterson Deguchi (pg 32) Seattle, WA (206) 256-0809 suyamapetersondeguchi.com Tabletop & Home (pg 13) 1105 Bellevue Way N.E. Bellevue, WA 98004 (425) 454-7322 tabletopandhome.com Tilde (pg 8) 7919 S.E. 13th Ave. Portland, OR 97202 (503) 234-9600 tildeshop.com Traitor Cycles (pg 36) Ferndale, WA (360) 366-5123 traitorcycles.com Urbancase (pg 8) (206) 853-6822 urbancase.com Velocity Art and Design (pg 8, 39) 251 Yale Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109 (206) 749-9575 velocityartanddesign.com Veritables (pg 13) 2816 E. Madison Seattle, WA 98112 (206) 726-8047 veritablesdecor.com
zodiac
Libra
Sept. 23–Oct. 23
Balanced, artistic, refined
Left to right: Scales of Justice cufflinks by Ravi Ratan, $165 at Nordstrom, nordstrom.com. ❈ Silver Lining Print, $279 at Crate and Barrel, crateand barrel.com. ❈ Antique settee c. 1850, $5,800 at Red Ticking, Seattle, redticking.com.
We’ve consulted the stars, and they don’t lie. Libra and Scorpio, you have great design in your future!
Scorpio Resourceful, passionate, magnetic
Oct. 24–Nov. 22
Clockwise from top: Pharos Pendant by Niche Modern, price available upon request at Provide, Vancouver B.C., providehome .com. ❈ Porcelain Scorpion plate, $600 at {Far} 4, Seattle, far4.net. ❈ Gold Rhythm mobile by Flensted, $518 at Velocity Art and Design, Seattle, velocity artanddesign.com.
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