Helping Haiti

Seattle's Coe Elementary School, McClure Middle School and John Hay Elementary School had a Rummage Sale Extravaganza to raise funds for Haiti. Here are some cute highlights:

One of my favorite things about our communtiy is the "can do" attitude of so many. This sale was a huge undertaking but it did not stop the few who made it happen. Great job!

The middle school kids were amazing volunteers.

Coe's principal, David Elliott, participated as well. (When doesn't he?)

More Volunteers-it was a huge undertaking.

The donated treasures...

We had a bet that we would get stuck with these 2 chairs but one actually sold!

Haven't heard the results of the sale but I imagine it was good. Last time they raised $10,000. for Katrina victims.

Relaxing Retreat

We have always loved The Highlands north of Seattle. A secluded peaceful neighborhood with large old trees and views of Puget Sound.  We grew up in this part of town but have since moved to the city. However, downtown Seattle is only 20 minutes away. That's easy. It makes this home feel like a retreat from the craziness of our lives. Wait a minute-it is a retreat! Here is the listing that we found to be breathtaking.

The pool area is such a show piece. Look at that brilliant tile! Imagine sitting on a chaise sipping sparkling lemonade. It doesn't get any better. I wish this home was loved and used the way it deserves. You can just easily slip into the home's glory days. Weddings on the lawn, neighborhood pool parties, picnics in the garden, cocktails on the veranda. This is killing me. Someone buy this precious jewel .

I see so many homes all over Seattle. I don't think they are asking too much for this. If Sister Ex and I got our hands on the design we would throw out the traditional furniture and bring in some mid century modern pieces. It only needs a bit of freshening.

Will the new owners be my friend and invite me to tea?

Happy Friday... I'm off to bed early

Elle Decor photo: Simon Upton

Can't think of anything I'd rather do than jump in bed early for an evening of magazines and reading. I am exhausted from running all over town doing staging bids, running all over town for kids' sports and running all over town trying to find some dependable wheels to purchase. What's a girl gotta do to relax around here? Good night all. See you Monday.

For sale but not so cute

This bathroom is ready to be sold (with the house).  Granny certainly kept her signature on this one. Found on one of our favorite blogs in the "bad MLS section".

Northwest Flower and Garden Show

Today starts one of Seattle's most coveted shows! This is the time to get your garden inspiration and pick up bulbs, bare root trees and garden accessories. Love the inspiration. My yearly stops are:

Dan's Dahlias

Beverly

Bodacious

Fidalgo Julie

photos: dan's dahlias

These will be in my garden!

Rain Tree Nursery

Another favorite stop for blueberry shrubs and a fruit tree for my little urban garden

photos: raintree nursery

The final favorite are Oriental Lilies.

Spring is coming!!

Just another pretty face

No time for a "real" post so you'll have to rest your eyes on this beauty. Love the Jonanthan Adler stools. That might even be his owl vase. Isn't it pretty how the gold mirror looks against the pink? So much going on in this space.

Time to say goodbye already?

Starting to mourn the loss of my car. Didn't know it would hit me so hard. Had 2 mini-breakdowns of the emotional kind with Sister Extraordinaire and Kamie. Hate cars, hating cars, cars suck. I need some dependable wheels.

A cute handbag to match and I am set.

 ...and plenty of room for my friends!

A dream car for the "Modern Woman". I can be modern.

Hate cars, hating cars, cars suck.....

Sweet Little Studio

photo: kamie kahlo

Both Sister Extraordinaire and I love to see a cool home office. One day soon I will feature both of our studios' very different personalities. Here is our web designer and Seattle's premier stylist Kamie Kahlo's petite studio. You can see more of her cuteness on her blog (a daily hit for me).

Orange Ya Glad I Called?

The girls at my sweet salon just found us a cute phone to use for our staging. This will look so cute sitting on a white side table next to our orange and chrome leather chair.

Princess Blue

When my daughters saw this phone they flipped! What little girl (or big girl) would not want one of these in her bedroom? We purchased this for a staging prop.

How cute sitting on this desk from: domino The Book of Decorating.

Or sitting in good company next to this Jonathan Adler lamp? How happy they would be together. (Another photo from domino.)

Staging

Here is a look at some before and after photos of a home. We would have asked that the entire home be repainted. It was difficult working with such extreme colors but it turned out well after all.

We had to work with a King size bed that the owner left. Not our favorite starting point but the finished product now looks like a master bedroom.

We encouraged the homeowner to move his outdoor furniture where it belonged and we would transform the living room with our furniture.

The greatest transformation follows. We could not stand the open room at the top of the stairs but after we were through it was our favorite room of all.

Didn't get the best photo of the dining room as the homeowner had moved right in with his lap top. But you get the idea that a desk in the dining room does not work in this situation.

This home is located in an interesting planned community in West Seattle. Really close to everything and pretty little views. Listed by Blair Paul of ReMax.

The two sisters got a ton of laughs on this project as we write chapters to our make belief staging novel. We "wrote" chapters on "Battle of the Bands" and  "Inhospitable Homeowners". I love making SE laugh-it makes the days so much fun.