Fabulous food in a glorious space

A party at Mike and Dena's is a welcome treat!  They have taken their Queen Anne home and turned it into a place one does not want to leave. Mike and Dena have created spaces in their vertical garden that are over the top. This is their outdoor living and dining room. Image dining al fresco in Seattle year round... 

Mike is at the built-in pizza oven preparing our next course. Both Mike and Dena are accomplished cooks. Their cookbook collection is the largest I've seen. Mike says together they create something new each week.

This is at the top of their terraced garden. Lovely views of Puget Sound.

Cocktails beginning at the top.

Lovely Natelie who co-hosted the amazing evening with her husband Bob.

I am with my wonderful friend Annie. We rarely get to have a social evening together without all of our children. It's that that makes us happy in this photo-not the alcohol.

A Simple Transformation

The impact of staging a home is profound in these photos. This is a little starter home listed by Blair Paul of Re/Max. It's a sweet 2 bedroom home with light filled spaces. Staging by Open House LLC.

Don't be afraid of painting out the brick on a fireplace. This turned out to be a nice focal point rather than the original eye sore.

Paint: Benjamin Moore

Walls- Monroe Bisque

Trim- Monteray White

Fireplace-Quincy Tan

The little things that say welcome

My sister-in-law has a vacation home on a river in Eastern Washington. I adore hanging out with her. She is a wonderful wonderful hostess. She has a room for us away from the others with a bathroom near. There are fresh towels stacked neatly on the bed-a little nod that says welcome. With the fresh linens, a pretty candle and plenty of reading material on the night stands we feel ready to relax and enjoy. Those little things mean so much to me. (The fabulous wine collection and late nights help as well!)
So I take my lessons from her.

Blue Gives a Sense of Peace

A lake, a pond, the sky. Calming peaceful blue. Soothing and relaxing. Beautiful blue. Sence of peace.

Benjamin Moore Soft Chinchilla

This month's issue of House Beautiful has a fun color chart by Michele Bernhardt. She says blue dissolves tension and promotes tranquility. Bringing ease and harmony into the home. Sold.

Romantic Adventure

I am moved at the site of an airstream trailer. It so....it's so...vintage-y. When I spot one on the road I can't help being swept away with my own romantic notions of camping. And another decorating opportunity...

Grateful and Exhausted

It is the end of the week for us but business calls back and forth between sisters continue. We are both dog tired juggling 5 schools, 4 companies, 3 large projects, 2 personal lives and 1 warehouse. Grateful but tired.

City Living-Two hip pads for sale

Tara and I dream about owning a condo downtown. Mostly we dream about decorating it. I have a feeling that is the motivation behind Tara shopping for a summer home. It's all about decorating...

These first photos are from a listing, that we staged, by a very savvy agent that we love working for-Colleen McCann. It is over looking Seattle's Lake Union neighborhood with Queen Anne views as well.

Look at my sister and her fine art of arranging. Such concentration...

In the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle is a listing by Greg O'Leyar. We get to do very fun projects for him.
The views are amazing from this 12th floor unit. As we work we watch the cruise ships come in and the ferries cross the Sound. Also, there are pretty gardens all over that you look down on. It is city living at it's best.

This photo shows a low profile couch purchased from Moe's Home Collection. The geometric pillows are from West Elm and the cool coffee table came from Antique Liquidators. A nice urban look.

Again, more laughing as I try the timer on my new camera. It's moments like these when we really enjoy our job.

Fabulous Colour at the Fair

The county fair is full of wonderful visuals every where. Here is some more design inspiration from your host.

Look at all the colour combinations!

Pink, yellow and orange are smashing together. Vibrant and energetic.

Now draw on that and apply it to your space.

You can get your design motivation and inspiration from anywhere. Suprising that I found it at the Fair.

Young Talent at the County Fair

Another great 4-H entry at the Evergreen State Fair.

This very cute boy was drawn by a 16 year old. Noone believes me when I show them the photo. As you can see by her ribbons she was amazing.

Finding inspiration at the Fair

The fair is one of my favorite visual feasts. You get to see colourful rides, ton's of prize animals, eat fattening food and people watch. The best exhibits are always in the
4-H hall. Here is where it all begins. The kids have entered their knitting, baking, sewing, canning, photography and art exhibits viying for a ribbon. Here are 2 future artists and designers.

A table setting done by a 12 year old. The centerpiece is a fitting focal point. Nevermind that the red "cloth" is vinyl. That will evolve over time.

Here is my favorite. Designed by another 12 year old. She used a beach towel for the cloth-clever!

It all begins in 4-H!

Soon enough they will be crafting the following:

The Art of Picture Hanging

There are rules to hanging art. But we just go with the best visual. Bottom line: EYE LEVEL. In my home it is my eye level and the homes we stage it's our eye level.

Hanging Collections: TAH DAH...

All photos by Domino Magazine