™ Architecture:

Projects in Seattle, Portland,

British Columbia, and
Coeur d’Alene

Interior Design
Decorating with Color,
HOT DESIGN FINDS,
MAGAZINE: pacIfIc NorthwESt dESIgN New Local Stores

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it up
Custom guitars, ALBUM COVER-
INSPIRED DÉCOR, rockin’ interiors
2 GRAY ISSUE No. four
Live your life...

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Design solutions unique to you and your home.

CONTEMPORARY + TRADITIONAL FURNITURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN

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www.masins.com

GRAY ISSUE No. four 3

 Tr a n s c e n d i n g Tr a d i t i o n a l H o m e D e c o r
Tabletop | Bedding | Bath | Body Care | Jewelry | Gifts | Accessories

shop our entire selection online at www.thepicketfence.com

4 t h e p i c k e t f e n c e . c o m | S u n Va l l e y, I d a h o | 1 . 8 6 6 . 9 4 4 . 5 5 1 1
GRAY ISSUE No. four
 1 6 1 1 nw northrup p ortl and 503.295.0151 m aisoninc.com

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see a fu ll port folio of our wor k at m aisoninc.com

GRAY ISSUE No. four 5
contJune–July.12§
Departments
8 Hello
A new season brings fresh,
new changes.
12 News
Summer’s packed with hot
announcements and collections.
16 Raves
GRAY’s picks for the coolest
products in the market.
22 Interiors
Portland’s Skylab Architecture
sweetens up the public spaces
in W Seattle.
6 GRAY ISSUE No. four
28 Shopping
Two stores in Seattle and
Portland fulfill every design
fanatic’s dream.
33 Inspired
Album covers encourage
us to keep on rocking.
38 Fashion
Cuchè Bikini’s modern
swimwear collections rock
a vintage vibe.
43 Color
Fig Studio gives a sleek loft
space a colorful update.
47 Outdoor
Get outside with sizzling
outdoor furniture finds.
64 Renovate
University of Washington
celebrates 150 years with the
new Washington Commons.
71 Made Here
Seattle’s modularArts has
been helping designers see
in three dimensions.
75 Icon
The history and legacy of
the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese
Garden.
tents
76 Architecture
Stunning spaces transform
how people interact with
their surroundings.

78 Resources
Design resources from
82 Zodiac
A design horoscope for
charismatic Gemini and
protective Cancer.

Features
✤
On the Cover
We hope our custom cover
gets you into the groove of all the
great design featured in this
issue. It reminds us of stereo sound
waves or album cover spines.
the issue.

79 Tech
50 Designed for Life
What about
you?
Homeowners Rolf and Randi
Parsons Guitars turns Astrom fill their dream home
musical instruments into with personality and mementos,
pure art. including a collection of vintage
swimsuits.
81 Library
Dig into book suggestions 58 Back in Black (and White)
from garden expert Debra Gaile Guevara gives a Vancouver,
Prinzing. B.C., home a rock-and-roll vibe.

GRAY ISSUE No. four 7

hello

We would be remiss
to plan a music issue without
sharing a few of our favorite tunes
of the moment and of all time.
Happy listening!

1 “Praying for Sunny Days”

by hyper Static Union

2 “Sea Legs”
by The Shins
3 “Electric Feel”
by MGMT
4 “Little Talks”
by Of Monsters and Men
5 “Gypsy”
by Fleetwood Mac
aLEX haYdEN
6 “Canadian Girl”
by The Walkmen
7 “Hacienda Motel”
by Pickwick
8 “Have Love, Will Travel”
Sunny Days 9
by The Sonics
“Candy”
SUmmEr IS fINaLLY hErE! The sunshine and warmer weather by The Presidents of the
also bring a bright change for the GRAY team. We are all very United States of America
excited to welcome new associate style editor Nicole Munson. 10 “Crazy On You”
Nicole has amazing taste (just check out her boards on Pinterest by heart
at pinterest.com/nicolesharon), and we couldn’t be more thrilled
11 “Man in Black”
to have her on the team.
by Johnny Cash
Another happy change is our new music-themed issue full
of gorgeous projects and hot seasonal style. Every summer, the 12 “Thanks A Lot”
picture-perfect weather in the Northwest reminds us just how by Neko Case
lucky we are to live so close to bustling city centers and natural 13 “Smile”
forests, mountains, and water. The designs featured in this issue by Madeleine Peyroux
draw from both sides, with picks that extol the best of urban 14 “Got to Give it Up”
sensibilities as well as all-natural local finds. by Marvin Gaye
Still, preparing this issue was no easy feat. It’s difficult to stay
hard at work when the sunshine is in full force right outside. We 15 “Good Old-Fashioned
Lover Boy”
can’t endorse your playing hooky, but we can hope that this by Queen

xoxo,
issue serves as your own personal summer getaway.
16 “Stir It Up”
by Bob Marley

Angela Share your playlists

with us on Facebook
and Twitter!

Email: angela@graymag.net
Subscribe: graymag.net/subscribe

graymag.net
facebook.com/graymag
twitter.com/gray_magazine

8 GRAY ISSUE No. four

GRAY ISSUE No. four 9
contributors

MAGAZINE: PACIFIC NORTHWEST DESIGN

Writer BROOKE BURRIS
In this issue: Architecture (pg 76)
Creative Director
Publisher
SHAWN WILLIAMS

Editor Photographer HANK DREW

ANGELA CABOTAJE hankdrew.com
In this issue: Inspired (pg 33)

Style Director
STACY KENDALL

Editor at Large
LINDSEY M. ROBERTS

Assistant Editor
RACHEL GALLAHER
Photographer JOHN GRANEN
Associate Style Editor johngranen.com
CHARLIE HAYDEN

NICOLE MUNSON In this issue: Architecture (pg 77)

Contributors
BROOKE BURRIS
HANK DREW
Photographer
JOHN GRANEN
ALEX HAYDEN
ALEX HAYDEN
alexhayden.com
ELISSA HEISCH
In this issue: Interiors
DAVID PAPAZIAN (pg 22), Shopping (pg 30),
DEBRA PRINZING Feature (pg 50),
HILLARY RIELLY Architecture (pg 76)
ALISHA ROLLAND
JOHANN WALL
BENJAMIN WOOLSEY

Advertising Photographer
KIM SCHMIDT Vol. I, No. 4. Copyright ©2012. DAVID PAPAZIAN
Published bimonthly (DEC, FEB, APR, papazianphoto.com
(kim@graymag.net) JUNE, AUG, OCT) by GRAY Media, LLC. In this issue: Shopping (pg 28)
All rights reserved. Permission to reprint
or quote excerpts granted by written
RIKKA SEIBERT request only. While every attempt has
(rikka@graymag.net) been made, GRAY cannot guarantee the
legality, completeness, or accuracy of the
information presented and accepts no
Subscriptions warranty or responsibility for such. GRAY Flower Expert DEBRA PRINZING
is not responsible for loss, damage or debraprinzing.com
GRAYMAG.NET other injury to unsolicited manuscripts,
photography, art or any other unsolicited In this issue: Library (pg 81)
INFOGRAYMAG.NET
material. Unsolicited material will not
be returned unless accompanied by a
self-addressed stamped envelope. If
Special thank-yous to: submitting material, do not send originals
SUZIE & BARNEY OSTERLOH unless specifically requested to do so
by GRAY in writing.
NOLOGY MEDIA
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
DALE WILLIAMS GRAY, 13619 Mukilteo Speedway D5 #551,
Lynnwood, WA 98087.
Subscriptions $30 US/$42 CAN for
one-year; $50 US/$72 CAN for two-years.
Subscribe online at
graymag.net. Writer HILLARY RIELLY
In this issue: Fashion (pg 38),
Made Here (pg 71)

10 GRAY ISSUE No. four

Why does a kitchen have to look like a kitchen?

SieMatic kitchen interior design. The stringent requirements set by

the Forestry Stewardship Council
(FSC) underscores our dedication
to the environment and exemplary

Discover more at www.siematic.us/5005

conduct at all levels of the
manufacturing process.

SieMatic Seattle
2030 1st Avenue Seattle WA 98121 Tel: 206.443.8620
www.siematic-seattle.com

GRAY ISSUE No. four 11

 Milton Glaser for Lapchi,
Landscape in overcast colorway. SOMETHING
TO SEE

Milton Glaser
news

for Lapchi
JULY 19–20
Celebrated designer Milton Glaser has
teamed up with Lapchi to create a collection
of limited-edition rugs—each is privately
labeled and numbered. The entire collection
see will be on display starting in mid-July at
Lapchi’s Portland showroom, with a GRAY-
sponsored launch event July 19 and 20. Until
then, you can ogle the designs online!
 Atelier Lapchi, 809 N.W. Flanders St.,
Franklin media
Portland, (503) 719-6589, atelierlapchi.com
cabinet by Dwell
Studio.

NEW
EXCLUSIVES

Dwell Studio at Bella Casa

Furniture lovers, Bella Casa has your
next design fix. They’ve teamed up with
Precedent Furniture to become the exclusive
Portland-area dealer for Dwell Studio’s line
new of tables, sofas, chairs, cabinets, and more.
Shop away!

word
 Bella Casa, 223 N.W. Ninth Ave.,
Portland, (503) 222-5337, bellacasa.net

Tom Kundig Hardware Collection

Olson Kundig Architects is known for
Michael Burns

on the
amazing feats of architecture. And now
Tom Kundig has teamed up with Seattle’s
12th Avenue Iron to take that one step
farther by introducing a line of intimately
Tom Kundig scaled hardware components. The collection
Collection Peek

street
sliding door pull. of unpretentious cabinet and door pulls,
rollers, hardware, and hooks is meant to
celebrate people’s interactions with their
environment.
 12th Avenue Iron, 1415 12th Ave.,
Seattle, (206) 420-3001,
new 12thavenueiron.com

Christian Woo at Provide

Exclusive, exclusive! Designer Christian
Woo is exclusively represented at Vancouver’s
Angled table by Provide, and his new collection of bespoke
Christian Woo. furniture is a real stunner. Revel in the
elegant simplicity and the refined crafts-
manship. Go on. We’ll wait.
 Provide, 529 Beatty St., Vancouver, B.C.,
(604) 632-0095, providehome.com

12 GRAY ISSUE No. four

GRAY ISSUE No. four 13
 Offerings available at Nest’s DATE
new showroom in Portland. SENSITIVE

Ladies Design Grant Deadline

news

JUNE 30
June 30 is the last day to apply for
Seattle Design Foundation’s Ladies
Design Grant. This is the foundation’s
just first grant and is meant to support a
moved single creative project for a female
Seattle resident. The winner will be
announced in September.
 Seattle Design Foundation,
seattledesignfoundation.com

Seattle Japanese Garden

JULY 20
It’s a garden party on July 20. United
Airlines and the Seattle Japanese
Advisory Council are sponsoring this
third annual summer fundraising
event. Stroll through the garden,
designed and built by Juki Iida.
Dinner, drinks, entertainment, and
a live auction round out the evening.
All proceeds go to support the garden’s
cultural, artistic, and horticultural
programs.

new  Seattle Japanese Garden,

1075 Lake Washington Blvd. E.,
Seattle, (206) 684-4725,
seattlejapanesegarden.org
Lisa Vian Hunter
So Seattle-area
fashion designer Lisa
Vian Hunter didn’t STORE
win it all on NBC’s
Fashion Star, but she MOVES
did do her hometown
proud. You can snatch Three local shops have trucked
up her original their wares to new locations. Couch
designs—includ- has settled into a space in Seattle’s
ing the Olivia Coat Ballard neighborhood and is offering
(right), which wowed an expanded collection with new styles.
the buyer from Ma- Totokaelo has opened up a store in
cy’s on the show—at Seattle’s Capitol Hill and is now offering
her Madison Park home goods as well as designer
shop and online. fashions. Nest has moved right around
the corner from its old showroom
 Vian Hunter location in Portland.
House of Fashion,
 Couch, 5423 Ballard Ave. N.W.,
2814 E. Madison St.,
Seattle, Seattle, (206) 633-6108, couchseattle
(206) 860-5030, .squarespace.com
vianhunter.com  Totokaelo, 1523 10th Ave., Seattle,
(206) 623-3582, totokaelo.com
 Nest, 2151 N.W. Front Ave.,
Portland, (971) 544-7727,
nestportland.com

14 GRAY ISSUE No. four

 Sept + Trends.
27–30 + Ideas.
New
Interior Vancouver
Convention Products.
.For Your Home.
Design Centre

Show West

Kelly
Deck
Creative Director,
Kelly Deck Design
From HGTV to some of the
finest residences in Vancouver,
Kelly brings a wealth of creativity
and passion to her work.
Celebrate design with Kelly
and 30,000 others at IDSwest.

The latest on Speakers and

Features at IDSwest.com

COMPLIMENTARY TRADE DAY REGISTRATION

IDSwest
NOW AVAILABLE AT IDSWEST.COM

Kitsilano Beach House idswest.com

by Kelly Deck Design

GRAY ISSUE No. four 15

raves

totally Get out the shades and take a peek at our latest
design picks—just in time for summer
Written by stacy kendall

Pop It
We could just eat this up. Portland’s Esque
Studio created fanciful glass paperweights
that actually look lighter than air. It may be
bubblegum, but this is serious style.
Bubblegum paperweight, $200 at Esque
Studio, Portland, esque-studio.com.

16 GRAY ISSUE No. four

GRAY ISSUE No. four 17
raves

To the Max
Check out this totally tubular mirror collection
from IKEA in four radical colors. Choices? Like,
duh! Get all four and you won’t have to decide.
Hylkje mirror, $4.99 at IKEA, ikea.com.

sleep on it
Designer Christian Woo took inspiration from the
Pacific Northwest for his new collection, made with
sustainably harvested hardwood. This is one design
that definitely doesn’t put us to sleep. Low platform
bed by Christian Woo, from $6,375 at Provide,
Vancouver, B.C., providehome.com.


“It’s really made for the way I work,
and the way I think a lot of people
work—on the couch with a laptop.
It’s hard to find upholstery that is
crisp and clean, and the Sfelt does
both.” —Andy Johnson, Ample Furniture
Two > One
New from Ample Furniture, the
Sfelt table is like getting two pieces of
furniture in one. The 100-percent-wool
removable wrap is the ottoman, while
the solid walnut top is the coffee table.
We’ll take two! Sfelt table, $895 at
Ample Furniture, Seattle,
amplefurniture.com.

18 GRAY ISSUE No. four

 furniture
summer 2012
textiles
linens
lighting
accessories
wallcoverings
carpets
outdoor furniture
shade architecture
antiquities

Visit the showroom, located in the Seattle Design District, to browse an exquisite array of fine interior & exterior
furniture collections custom tailored for the most discriminating interior designers and homeowners.

member of
Where ideas flourish.
5600 sixth avenue south seattle design district seattle wa 98108
t 206-763-4100 terrisdraheim.com hours mon-fri 9am to 5pm & by appointment
GRAY ISSUE No. four 19
 raves

Stick It to ‘Em
You’ll want to find stuff to stick
up with Pigeon Toe Ceramics’
candy-colored magnets. Based
on its popular faceted drawer
pulls, these hand-sculpted little
“I’ve worked with antiques, and guys pack big visual punch.
Faceted magnets, from $16 at
for this collection I wanted to Pigeon Toe Ceramics,
deconstruct that look and make Portland, pigeontoeceramics.com.
it minimal without being cold. I like
the feel of history but designed
to be something new.”


—Tamara Codor, Codor Design

Float on
We fooled you! That’s not an
antique. It’s the Floating Drawer
Dresser from Codor Design’s first
collection of modern furniture
that’s inspired by old-world
beauty. An expert expression
of tension between heavy and
light, Codor Design has just
made this generation’s heirloom.
Floating Drawer Dresser, from
$11,000 at Codor Design,
Seattle, codordesign.com.

Made In the Shade

Handmade in Shwood’s Portland
studio from sustainable exotic
hardwood, these sunnies take you
from summer to fall in flawless fashion.
Light and cool, this wood is good.
Canby sunglasses, $125 at Shwood,
Portland, shwoodshop.com.

20 GRAY ISSUE No. four

GRAY ISSUE No. four 21
interiors

LOCATION
W Seattle
1112 Fourth Ave., Seattle

DESIGN TEAM
interiors: Skylab Architecture
lighting: Esque Studio
steelwork: LIT Workshop
concrete: Portland Cement Company
22 GRAY ISSUE No. four
 w
is for
wow
Portland’s Skylab Architecture gives
W Seattle a showstopping makeover sprinkled
with the best of the Northwest
Written by ANGELA CABOTAJE : Photographed by ALEX HAYDEN

GRAY ISSUE No. four 23

interiors

“We worked with a number of artisans

on this project, many of which we brought
with us from Portland.” — Jeff Kovel, Skylab Architecture

24 GRAY ISSUE No. four

A
Kovel created separate gathering areas in the open room by grouping
furniture together and using nylon-cord curtains to add privacy.

bland hotel lounge this most definitely is not.

Inside the public spaces of W Seattle, eye candy beckons from every corner. Pink
blown-glass pendants tempt from above, whimsical wallpaper tantalizes from all sides,
and a stainless-steel fireplace looks like a candy bar just waiting to be unwrapped.

The Willy Wonka of this interior renovation is Jeff Kovel from
Portland’s Skylab Architecture. Kovel was asked to rede-
sign the lounge, restaurant, and bar using a basic recipe that
contained one part W Hotels’ contemporary brand, a cup of
Skylab Architecture’s “wow” style, and a helping of Seattle’s
colorful legacy.
“We developed an initial concept narrative entitled ‘Sonic
Lodge,’” Kovel explains. “This concept seeks to illuminate the
juxtapositions found in the history and futuristic aspirations of
Seattle and the great Northwest.”
Kovel infused the Living Room lounge with touches of
Native American weaving, Northwest music, and Boeing
aviation. For the TRACE restaurant and bar, he used forests
and a lodge atmosphere as his ingredients for inspiration.
The Living Room feels like a confectionery for design lovers.
It’s packed to the rafters with vibrant details, each one more
succulent than the last. Silver-and-gray banquettes mingle
with modern fuchsia wingbacks; loopy, orange side tables;
and riveted, silver coffee tables. The striped upholstery and
open curtains of nylon cords draw the eye up and reference
the fabric looms and weaving patterns found in Native
American art. Kovel worked with New York–based Flavor
Paper to design custom wallpaper panels that depict a
lifetime’s worth of record albums, from funk and soul to early
rap and blues. They made sure that at least a quarter of the
musical acts represented were from Seattle.
High above, Esque Studio added the proverbial cherry on
top—pink pendants crafted from clusters of fluted hand-blown
glass. The pièce de résistance, though, is a three-story-tall
fireplace encased in one thousand stainless-steel tiles, which

GRAY ISSUE No. four 25

interiors
Collaborating with New York–based Flavor Paper, Kovel
designed 22-foot-tall wallpaper panels depicting a varied
collection of music albums. Included are Soundgarden’s Live
on I-5 and Jimi Hendrix’s posthumous Hendrix in the West.
were fabricated by Portland’s LIT Workshop. It’s a gracious
nod to the industrial past of the city as well as to the gleaming
airliners that Seattle is known for today.
For the TRACE restaurant and bar, Kovel opted for an open
floor plan that would add a free-flow feel. Here the setting is
more cozy and intimate, with a careful mixture of cool chrome
and glossy black with warm creams and golds.
The materials mirror this precise balance as well. Portland
Cement Company molded concrete panels that mimic
Pendleton’s wool-blanket designs for the bar surround, while
Sensitile provided concrete-mix counters that glitter in the
light. A custom walnut counter and contemporary wood chairs
adorn the sushi bar while embossed ceramic floor tiles feature
26 GRAY ISSUE No. four
cut-wood patterns. At the far end, Portland’s The Felt Hat
created a 12-foot-wide mural that, depending on the vantage
point in the room, can appear to be either jellyfish bobbing in
the water or a fighter jet zooming through the sky.
Kovel says that the varied mix of color, materials, and vol-
ume throughout the spaces was meant to invite guests into
W Seattle’s new common areas. “We believe that hospitality
spaces should deliver a unique perspective to each seat in the
house,” he explains. “We thread these individual experiences
together through a larger storyline. In this case, we felt an
eclectic mixture of both spaces and furnishings would convey
a more comfortable ‘lived in’ experience.”
Now that’s design you can sink your teeth into.
Nylon cords (left) reference Native American looms, and
ceramic floor tiles (above) feature wood-cut patterns. Below
left: Portland’s Esque Studio created hand-blown glass
pendants, which provide lighting that’s both welcoming and
intimate. Below: To disguise the support columns, Kovel
reinterpreted lodge structures, wharf pilings, and totems.
Portland’s LIT Workshop fabricated the modular sculptural
forms to have the look of the charring that remains on a
fireplace hearth.

GRAY ISSUE No. four 27

shopping

Treasure Hunting
A bevvy of style booty awaits at two new
shops in Portland and Seattle

28 GRAY ISSUE No. four

LOOT
Written by RACHEL GALLAHER : Photographed by david Papazian

Julie Pierce chose the right name for her Portland boutique. LOOT,
which opened last October, is full of beautiful, one-of-a-kind treasures
ranging from furniture and fixtures to textiles and rugs. According to
Pierce, everything in the shop is handpicked and often emphasizes
texture and the way it can be used to add character to a room. “I
am definitely a hunter,” she says. “I like to seek out special things,
whether it’s a vintage piece or a local artist whose work I love.”
Pierce graduated with a degree in architecture in 2008 from
Portland State University and describes her aesthetic as rooted in
traditional style with an eclectic twist. The evidence is clear in her
shop. Bright ikat pillows share space with oriental rugs, eggshell
tea lights, and ornate wingback chairs. “The shop reflects me
entirely,” Pierce says. “People coming in can really get a feel for my
style. Almost all the products are new, but we always have those
few special vintage pieces that I just love.”

GRAY ISSUE No. four 29

Sheridan + Company
Written by rachel gallaher : Photographed by alex hayden

Design fanatics cheerfully welcomed a trendy new boutique in

Seattle's happening Capitol Hill neighborhood this past March.
SHERIDAN + COMPANY is run by Jason Mathews, an interior
decorator who used to work in TV news in New York, and offers a
wide range of products for every budget. Mathews stocks his shop
with goods from local designers, such as furniture company
Brackish, and artisan Daniel Saldutti (see page 37). He also
offers interior decorating services that include everything from
updating wall colors to completely refurnishing rooms. “We’re going
for a modern, masculine glamour,” Mathews says. “I love it when
somebody comes into the shop and is so inspired that they can’t
leave without buying something to add to their home.”

30 GRAY ISSUE No. four

 shopping

GRAY ISSUE No. four 31

32 GRAY ISSUE No. four
 inspired

GRAY ISSUE No. four 33

 Opposite, from left: Wire side table, $129, and leather track rug,
$2,295, at BoConcept, Seattle, (206) 464-9999, boconcept.com.
❈ Rocher chair, $225 at Ligne Roset, Seattle, (206) 341-9990,
ligneroset.com. ❈ Lido console table, $1,191, and glass lamp,
$610, at GR Home, Seattle. ❈ Stool with pink seat, $45 at Retrofit
Home, Seattle, (206) 568-4663, retrofithome.com. ❈ Kaylee
Cole’s We’re Still Here Missing You available at cdbaby.com/
kayleecole, and her new EP Always Going Home is available at
kayleecole.bandcamp.com. Album art by Ben Fowler.

Rock On
Written by Rachel Gallaher : Photographed by hank drew

No matter how you shake it, Seattle

loves music. Emerald City has countless
local bands—some are hometown heroes while
others have made it big on the national level. For this
issue, we decided to turn our attention to some artists who are
making a splash in the current Seattle scene. Damien Jurado and
Kaylee Cole, each with a unique and beautiful voice, are two to watch.
We could never choose favorites, but album covers are fair game.

34 GRAY ISSUE No. four

 inspired
—kaylee cole

GRAY ISSUE No. four 35

“And I’ll show
up in a title of
your song. I only
hope somebody
requests it.” —Damien Jurado

Opposite, from left: Vintage typewriters, from $59 at seattle

junklove.com. ❈ Photo collage, $395 at Kirk Albert Home
Furnishings, Seattle, (206) 762-3899, kirkalbert.com. ❈ Brackish
chair, $600 at SHERIDAN + COMPANY, Seattle, (206) 414-3789,
sheridaninteriordesign.com. ❈ Vintage books, $65 and $145 at
Susan Wheeler Home, Seattle, (360) 402-5080, susanwheeler
home.com. ❈ Camera table light by Daniel Saldutti, $300 at
SHERIDAN + COMPANY. Damien Jurado’s Maraqopa available
at scdistribution.com/damienjurado or through Amazon and
iTunes. Album cover photo by Richard Swift and design by
Daniel Murphy of Secretly Canadian.

36 GRAY ISSUE No. four

 inspired

GRAY ISSUE No. four 37

fashion

Vintage,
Vinyl ,
and swimwear
Vancouver, B.C.’s Eden Rausch designs
beach-ready apparel with a vintage vibe
Written by Hillary Rielly : Photographed by Johann Wall
Hair by Elissa Heisch : Makeup by Alisha Rolland

38 GRAY ISSUE No. four

Astrid from the 2012 collection
has full, French-cut bottoms and
a contour halter top.

GRAY ISSUE No. four 39

fashion

S
staples of
un, surf, and music are
, the design
life for Eden Rausch
, B.C.–based
mind behind Vancouver
tha t’s clear in
Cuchè Bikinis, and
im we ar pie ces. Her
each of her sw
of past and
inspirations are a mix
both music
present, drawing from
and beach culture.
en she took
She dec ide d to start Cuchè in 2004, wh
tting,
about the lack of well-fi
her friends’ complaints ma rke t to
swimwear in the
high-quality, affordable is gro win g and
the business
heart. Eight years later, e det ail on my line
craft. “Th
Rausch is fine-tuning her kee pin g a simple
ry yea r, yet
gets more involved eve
look is my approach.” ’70s
es a nod from ’60s and
The 2012 collection tak ors hav e a vin-
lines and col
Euro cult movies. The g to the
modern women. “Goin
tage feel but are fit for it is or wh ere
tter what year
beach is a safe bet no ma a wa y to rela x and
says. “It’s
you are in life,” Rausch y
t add to the cla ssic style in a modern wa
reflect. I jus
erience of that.”
to add to the whole exp has
the beach covered, Rausch
Now that she has and set tin gs. Up
er season s
started designing for oth ling out erw ear , and
coats, sai
next are a line of trench
chic rai n gea r.

40 GRAY ISSUE No. four

OPPOSITE: Eugénie (below) and Ginnette
(above) feature sporty, nautical stripes for life
out on the water. THIS PAGE: Charlie’s push-up
top and high-waist bottoms bring back the
vintage va va voom of decades past.

GRAY ISSUE No. four 41

42 GRAY ISSUE No. four
 color
Colorful
Mission:

Portland interior designer Jenny Guggenheim fills a

Pearl District loft with colorful, vibrant touches
Written by Angela Cabotaje : Photographed by Josh Partee

GRAY ISSUE No. four 43

color

W
hen a stylish young professional moved from Seattle to Portland with
only her clothes and dog Nic in tow, she sought out Portland’s Fig Studio for design help.
Principal Jenny Guggenheim stepped in to fill the empty Pearl District loft with bright,
energetic touches that reflected her client’s personality. “The design is as approachable as
she is, and comfort was definitely a focus,” Guggenheim says.
Working closely with her client, Guggenheim sourced local pieces and designed custom
items to create an exuberant space that packs a real style punch. Lucky for us, she’s happy
to share her secrets on designing with color.

6Color Tips from Jenny Guggenheim

1. “Never underestimate the power
of a white wall,” Guggenheim says.
In the main space, the wall acts as a
grounding element for the room, while
the neutral sofa allowed Guggenheim
to play freely with color and pattern
without overwhelming the small space.
On the other hand, an orange accent
wall is more than enough color for the
entryway.
2. Start with a point of inspiration.
When the homeowner joined the
designer for a shopping trip at Kravet,
she was immediately taken with the
striped pillow fabric, which reminded
her of a favorite Kate Spade pattern. “I
love when upholstery fabrics start to
cross over into the fashion realm, and
our stylish client knew right away it
would be the perfect fit for her home,”
Guggenheim says. The rest of the
room’s palette was built around the
fabric’s saturated colors.
3. Get creative. “One of my favorite
color tricks is to remove the dust
jackets from novels and textbooks,”
Guggenheim says. “The beautiful book
cloth is revealed and adds an instant
pop of color without spending a dime.”
She raided the homeowner’s collection
of tomes and chose the prettiest ones
to display.
4. Keep your eyes open. The
painting behind the sofa is a thrift-store
find that the homeowner fell in love
with. It’s faux-gold frame pairs well
with a Jonathan Adler floor lamp and
sunburst mirror.
5. Play with pattern. Guggenheim
prefers to keep fabric samples with her
so she can edit combinations on the
fly and compare swatches on furniture
to check that the scale is just right for
each piece. For this space, she chose a
Kelly Wearstler chevron for the ottoman
and a kilim-pattern rug from West Elm.
6. Shop local. “We tried to source
many of the items locally and had many
items fabricated by local craftspeople,”
Guggenheim says. The reclaimed fir
console behind the sofa was fabricated
by Fieldwork, and the blue vase was
made by Portland artist Laura Cook
and purchased at Tilde. By shopping
at local stores and working with local
artisans, Guggenheim is able to select
and design pieces for a particular space,
ensuring that each color accent works
with the overall aesthetic.

44 GRAY ISSUE No. four

 “ Eventually,
everything connects…
— Charles Eames

...people, ideas, objects.

The quality of connections is the key to quality per se.”
This design philosophy remains true today, and in all different arenas. More and more,
those connections emerge and are strengthened through social media sites.
Nology Media creates rich social experiences and lasting connections for brands and their audiences.

nologymedia.com | seattle
GRAY ISSUE No. four 45
46 GRAY ISSUE No. four
Dining chair, Fresh Air Collection by
Richard Schultz, $840 at Terris Draheim,
Seattle, terrisdraheim.com.

Sunny Side outdoor

Up Fire up the grill—it’s time to
move out! Outside, that is. Take advantage of
sunnier climes and bring the inside out with new
outdoor furniture and accessories. Stripes, brights,
and whites look cool and crisp against nature’s
backdrop, so don’t miss the opportunity to punch
up your patio this summer.

Written and compiled by stacy kendall

GRAY ISSUE No. four 47

outdoor

1. Izmir Outdoor Dhurrie runner,

$129 at West Elm, westelm.com.
2. Outdoor Eames Wire-Base
table, from $1,528 at Design

1
Within Reach, dwr.com.
3. Dining arm chair by Century
Furniture, from $1,935 at Michael
Folks Showroom, michaelfolks
.com. 4. Portofino Pavilion, $699
at Z Gallerie, zgallerie.com.

48 GRAY ISSUE No. four

GRAY issue No. 3, page 56
Landscape design by Scot Eckley, Inc.
Photographed by Alex Hayden

100 % devoted to residential and commercial

design exclusively
for and about the Northwest.
our talent. our services. our products.
all available right here.
Be a part of the Pacific Northwest’s vibrant design scene!
Here’s how you can get involved:
❈ Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
❈ Subscribe and be among the first to see each new issue
❈ Submit a project or story idea

graymag.net
❈ Advertise your products or services

49
GRAY ISSUE No. four
feature

L ife
designed
for

50 GRAY ISSUE No. four

The Astroms wanted a modern, light-filled space, in
which they added vintage design elements, such as the
1960s Murano glass chandelier over the dining table.
Outside, a simple concrete patio elevates the outdoor
living area over the natural beach terrain.

Rolf and Randi Astrom built their energy-

efficient house with an eye toward design—and
living life to the fullest
Written by stacy kendall : Photographed by alex hayden

DESIGN TEAM
architect: Richard Rhydes, Whidbey Island Architects
construction: Yonkman Construction
demolition: Bobby Wolford Trucking and Demolition
51
GRAY ISSUE No. four
52 GRAY ISSUE No. four
 1950s furniture in the living room, all discovered by Randi on one of
her many excursions to local thrift and vintage stores, lends a bright
and playful vibe to the impeccably executed modern architecture.
The custom gas fireplace that bisects the living space was one
of the pieces Rolf designed and made by hand using his welding
know-how from years of restoring vintage automobiles.

i n many ways, building a house

is just an ordinary process that
happens every day. But in most ways, the
house that Rolf and Randi Astrom built
was out of the ordinary, and that’s just how they
wanted it.
When Randi was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, the Astroms
decided at that moment to start what was previously just a dream for
another day. They found their ideal property on the shores of Whidbey
Island and started to imagine what felt like a near-impossible feat—
building a very modern home in the sleepy island town of Coupeville.
Building next to salt water turned ordinary construction challenges
into extraordinary ones. The Astroms specified every material used to
make sure that it was rot- and corrosion-proof, all the way down to the
fasteners, which were made of stainless steel. Rolf could be seen some
days on the job site with a magnet, hunting down stray iron fasteners
or nails. But his involvement didn’t stop there.
In his spare time, Rolf restores vintage automobiles and has a full
metal shop at his disposal in Woodinville, where he personally built
some of the house’s design features. The freestanding fireplace that
separates the living and dining rooms is made from a tractor stack and

GRAY ISSUE No. four 53

54 GRAY ISSUE No. four

A part of the Astroms’ eclectic art collection is Randi’s
assortment of vintage swimsuits and swimming caps from
the ’20s through the ’60s, which are displayed through-
out the entire house. In the kitchen, Caesarstone’s Apple
Martini countertop pops against the walnut cabinetry—a
perceived style risk that has paid off in enjoyment for the
Astroms and their guests.
laser-cut, powder-coated metal that Rolf designed. Their large-scale
front door was painted in the same way with automobile paint, just
like Rolf’s hot rods. “We were involved in every corner of this house,”
Rolf says.
To support local businesses, the Astroms hired architect Richard
Rhydes, principal of Whidbey Island Architects, and Yonkman
Construction to carry out their exacting vision—one that was not
only modern but also environmentally efficient. In Rolf’s native country,
Sweden, efficiency is a way of life, and he and Randi sought to make
their house as green as possible.
“We didn’t want to do things the way they’ve always been done,”
Randi says. Instead of dumping the demolition waste, the Astroms hired
Bobby Wolford Trucking and Demolition to recycle 80 percent
of it, including the concrete. Things such as low-VOC paint, a tankless
water heater, compact florescent and low-voltage lighting, and tinted
glass windows for temperature control were automatically added
into the design of the house. The avid animal lovers also opted to be
dark-sky compliant, which reduces light pollution at night by direct-
ing outside fixtures down instead of up into the trees or sky which can
confuse wildlife and obscure star visibility.
Green design also found its way into the interiors through the use
of vintage furniture, which is one of Randi’s passions. She delights in
combining modern architecture with old and new furnishings. In the
modern dining room, one can find a 1960s Murano glass chandelier
that once belonged to Randi’s grandmother. “It’s all about the mix and
the juxtaposition of styles,” Randi says.
The chandelier keeps company with one of the most controversial
aesthetics in the house—apple-green Caesarstone countertops. Randi
says everyone thought they were crazy to choose such a bright color
for the kitchen, but it’s this countertop, if anything, that reflects the
Astroms’ attitude toward building their dream home. “We wanted to
have fun building this,” Randi says. “I told people ‘It’s just a house, and
it’s just a countertop, not a life-or-death decision.’ ”
For the Astroms, being a part of the designing and building process
was really the heart of the matter. From Rolf’s custom door hinges to
the decision to have two master bedrooms and modular closets instead
of a walk-in one, this house was built out of a passion for design. “We
weren’t afraid to do what we wanted,” Randi says. “When you get the
opportunity to build a house, you should build it completely for you.”
GRAY ISSUE No. four 55
 Left: Unable to find American bath fixtures that were streamlined
enough, the Astroms flexed their DIY skills by mounting and
reinforcing IKEA kitchen cabinets to the wall to create the master
bath vanity. ABOVE AND RIGHT: The floors throughout the house
are poured black concrete. The Astroms specified smooth walls
and simple molding to complement their modern structure.

56 GRAY ISSUE No. four

GRAY ISSUE No. four 57
feature

58 GRAY ISSUE No. four

OPPOSITE: The lady of the house heavily influenced
the glamorous dining room but still embraced the
dual-color palette. Silver-accented tables and chairs
keep the space modern and two large glass vases
add a definite “wow” factor. THIS PAGE: Two playful
Jonathan Adler ceramic cats add a whimsical touch
in the dining room.

back in
black
(and white)
Written by rachel gallaher : Photographed by gaile guevara

DESIGN
interior design: Gaile Guevara

GRAY ISSUE No. four 59

 W hen interior designers become good friends with their clients, the lasting
creative partnership can extend beyond one single project. Such is true for Vancouver,
B.C., interior designer Gaile Guevara and two of her clients, the husband-and-wife
owners of a number of restaurants and a downtown music lounge.

After working on their commercial projects, Guevara was

asked by the couple to work her magic on their home.
“The homeowners wanted a different perspective in how
they approached their home,” Guevara says. “I was more
modern than their personal tastes, but they were looking for
something new.”
According to Guevara, the husband was looking for
comfort when it came to furniture and the wife was drawn
more to the styling. Both of them had antiques inherited from
their families—candelabras, crystal pieces, silverware—and
it was important that they be worked into the decor.
Guevara chose a black-and-white palette for the home
to serve as a neutral, classic background for colorful art and
accessories. In the living room, Guevara and the home-
owners achieved the perfect mix between comfort and
style. A woven linen sofa and modern leather-and-metal
chairs provide seating, while a high-gloss black coffee
table provides a place for books and other trinkets. The
living room offers laid-back comfort, and the dining room is
a full hit of feminine glamour. A large, ornate chandelier from
The Cross in Yaletown hangs above the spacious dining
table—a necessity for a couple that loves to entertain. Black
is a bold choice for all-over room paint, but Guevara filled the
room with white accessories, which are illuminated by light
from the large windows.
If the dining room is the wife’s space, then downstairs is

60 GRAY ISSUE No. four

OPPOSITE: The designer’s dog, Teddy, a regular fixture on project
sites, rests on a bold, graphic rug purchased from Canadian company
EQ3. THIS PAGE: The painted black fireplace in the living room is edgy
yet sophisticated, and metal-and-leather chairs provide clean lines—
the perfect contrast to the coffee table’s ornate legs.

GRAY ISSUE No. four 61

 the husband’s domain. A room that embraces the couple’s
love of music (they are very involved in Vancouver’s music
and nightlife scene), it is a place where the husband can
have friends over for a jam session or where the entire family
can hang out and relax. The original carpet was torn out
and replaced with dark hardwood flooring—a durable and
stylish addition. Brightly colored portraits of each member
of the Beatles, gifts from a good friend, line the wall above
the sofa. To add to the rock-and-roll vibe in the home, a
funky painting of Keith Richards and a psychedelic poster of
Bob Dylan adorn the main-floor living room.
Throughout the home are riffs of teal—a favorite color
of the wife. In her office, Guevara added texture with teal,
62 GRAY ISSUE No. four
woven-grass wallpaper and a large, cream area rug. Two
lamps from the homeowners’ previous residence continue
the glitzy theme, and chairs upholstered in a charcoal-gray,
woven-knit fabric and a desk provide clean lines.
With input from the homeowners and Guevara, the original
dated and beige home was transformed into a space with a
spirited and youthful mix.
“Working with this couple was very fun,” Guevara says.
“They are very easygoing and know what they like. The
home totally reflects who they are, both in terms of their love
of music and entertaining, and they were very happy with
the end results.”
OPPOSITE,
CLOCKWISE FROM
TOP LEFT: The couple’s
son, Asher, poses
with his dad outside
their Vancouver home;
black-and-white
poufs from The Cross
provide stylish extra
seating in the living
room; baby pictures
of Asher serve as
sweet mementos,
while yellow details
complement the
neutral space; Teddy
poses on the mantel in
front of a mirror from
Peridot; collections
of white vases against
a white wall create
visual texture without
adding clutter; white-
lacquer shelving pops
against dark-blue
walls in the wife’s
office. THIS PAGE: It
doesn’t get any more
rock-and-roll than
Keith Richards—the
portrait by artist
Sebastian Kruger
hangs above the
husband’s guitars,
which are ready for
an impromptu jam
session.

GRAY ISSUE No. four 63

renovate

Bow Down to
Washington, Alumni
The University of Washington celebrates its
150th birthday with a newly renovated Washington
Commons, designed to embody the university’s
past, present, and future
Written by stacy kendall : Photographed by Benjamin Woolsey

64 GRAY ISSUE No. four

LOCATION
University of Washington Alumni Commons
4333 Brooklyn Ave. N.E., Seattle

DESIGN TEAM
architect: ZGF Architects
construction: Howard S. Wright
graphics: Studio SC

Left: Part of ZGF Architects’ goal to make the

design of the Commons “unmistakably UW” is the
etching that replicates the university’s iconic
Suzzallo Library stained-glass windows on lacquered
fiberboard. This old-meets-new combination can be
found throughout the design of the space.

GRAY ISSUE No. four 65

 “Here, all are welcome,” says Sue Wilson
Williams, the president of the UW Alumni Association Board
of Trustees. The renovation of the Washington Commons
wasn’t merely about designing the home of University Ad-
vancement and the University of Washington Alumni Asso-
ciation. It was about creating the full story of the university in
just 4,000 square feet. This was the task given to Seattle’s ZGF
Architects LLP in 2010, and with 150 years of Husky history,
there was a lot to consider. Luckily for the architecture firm, the
campus proved to be a goldmine of inspiration.
One of the university’s most iconic buildings, Suzzallo Library,
with its collegiate gothic style that feels more cathedral than
house of books, was a natural place to start. ZGF’s Patrick
Gordon, the principal in charge of the project, explains that they
wanted to “evoke the university’s past with design that was
subtle, modern, and yet timeless.”
Guests to the Alumni Washington Commons are welcomed
first by a simple etching on the wall of Suzzallo’s majestic
stained-glass windows, symbolic of knowledge and history.
“It’s unmistakably UW,” Gordon says.
66 GRAY ISSUE No. four
Taking another cue from the past, ZGF commissioned
Seattle’s Meyer Wells to transform a fallen red elm that
once stood tall on campus, into the 14-seat conference table
in the boardroom. Overlooking the table is a dramatic graphic,
created by Seattle’s Studio SC, that depicts University of
Washington graduates and represents the university’s past and
future legacy.
Standing in the heart of the space, visitors are treated to a
sweeping view of the campus. To the designers, it was key to
make the connection between this space and the university.
So etched on large picture windows is a silhouette of Memorial
Way, the tree-lined formal entrance to the university’s campus.
On the opposing wall, a large graphic of Mt. Rainier stands in
place of the real view of the mountain, which can be seen loom-
ing in the distance from several points on campus.
“The values of the alumni association are really reflected by
the language and imagery used in the Commons,” says Paul
Rucker, the association’s executive director. “This place repre-
sents the interests that UW has for the public good—that it has
the power to change lives.”
Instead of designing a simple reception desk, ZGF Architects
wanted to create a place that was the literal and figurative center
of life in the Commons. From here, visitors can see many of the
design elements that make up this important university space.

GRAY ISSUE No. four 67

68 GRAY ISSUE No. four
Two years ago, Meyer Wells salvaged a tree on the UW campus
that they later crafted into the 12-foot-long conference table that
now commands the floor of the Commons boardroom. Studio SC
created a wall graphic that pictures 124 UW graduates, showcasing
the diversity of the university’s past and future legacies.

GRAY ISSUE No. four 69

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ultation / interior staging
 made here
Rock
and Wall

Seattle's modularArts helps designers and

architects see things in three dimensions
Written by Hillary Rielly

GRAY ISSUE No. four 71

made here

The modularArts
collection includes
panels for large-scale
installations, tiles
that work better in
residential projects,
and blocks to create
rock-solid sculptural
walls. With plenty of
textures to choose
from, designers
won’t get bored
any time soon.

It’s fitting that a former musician founded a company that produces

three-dimensional wall surfaces that give any space plenty of attitude. Donald
Kaump, founder and president of Seattle’s modularArts, transitioned from
New Wave cover band in the 1980s to specialty fabricator and furniture designer,
working on projects for Seattle Opera and the Pacific Science Center.
One day, while Kaump worked on a dimensional wave wall for a restaurant
in Bellevue, the idea for the company came to him. “I thought there must be an
easier way to create this, maybe a modular method,” he says.
A decade later, modularArts has two manufacturing spaces in Seattle that
total 30,000 square feet and produce a collection of sculptural panels, tiles, and

72 GRAY ISSUE No. four

 nels, and blocks
The company crafts its tiles, pa
ls like ceramic, so creating
from a unique material that fee
blem.
ultra-detailed designs is no pro

blocks from gypsum and locally mined natural aggregates. The surface looks and
feels like ceramic, allowing for ultra-fine detail in the designs, while still being
light enough for infinite wall and room applications.
“We are very proud to be a successful American manufacturer,” Kaump says. LEFT TO RIGHT: Swim Deluxe
Architects and designers, both here and abroad, have used modularArts to InterlockingRock panel; Yuma
Deluxe InterlockingRock panel;
liven up their residential, retail, and hospitality projects from California to Florida. Weaver fully dimensional BLOCK;
Up next, Kaump says modularArts plans to add more patterns and expand its Burle Deluxe InterlockingRock panel.
three-dimensional BLOCK line. “Rather than surfacing new or existing walls, like
our panels and tiles, they create full, round sculptures.”

GRAY ISSUE No. four 73

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74 GRAY ISSUE No. four
 icon
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical
Chinese Garden
Written by Lindsey M. Roberts

One of the biggest testaments to the Pacific Northwest’s

connection to Asia is the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical
Chinese Garden in Vancouver, B.C.’s Chinatown, the
first full-size Chinese garden ever built outside of China.
Fifty-two master gardeners from Suzhou, China, started construction
on the garden in 1985 using techniques passed down from gardening during
the Ming Dynasty period of 1368 to 1644—techniques that don’t require
nails, screws, or glue. In 1968, the nonprofit Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Society
opened the grounds as part of its mission to strengthen the connection
between East and West.
Both society and the garden are named after Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, a Chinese
hero known as “Guo Fu,” or the father of the country, who sought democratic
rule and helped overthrow the Qing dynasty. He traveled the world to promote
his vision, visiting Vancouver three times to raise funds in support of the 1911
revolution. The emperor eventually abdicated, and Yat-Sen became the first
provisional president of the Republic of China from 1911 to 1912. He resigned
to devote himself to China’s economic development and died in 1925.
The garden, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, was designed
around four elements—rock, water, plants, and architecture—which are bal-
anced in the Eastern philosophy of yingyang, or balance of complementary
forces. It features two pavilions, one of which seems to float on a pond, and
two halls for educational programming. Water-worn limestone rocks from a
lake near Suzhou change with the light and pile up in a false mountain in
the center of the garden.

GRAY ISSUE No. four 75

architecture


The Writable Office
When a tech company wanted help creating
a collective studio atmosphere, where
employees could also work in individual
offices, it turned to Seattle’s chadbourne
+ doss architects. The Pioneer Square
building housing the office had recently
been restored by Seattle’s SHED Archi-
tecture & Design, so architects Daren
Doss and Lisa Chadbourne went to work
on the interior layout. They came up with
a solution of open, large-desk seating
along with private office pods.
Written by brooke burris “It was important that the cubes felt
Photographed by benjamin woolsey elemental in form,” Doss explains.
The pods have plywood floors, walls,
and ceilings, with an exterior made of
sheetrock and glass. The interior desks
are made of writable laminate surfaces. A
recessed black base makes it appear as if
Real Northwest the pods are floating six inches above the
floor. Their clean and white appearance
Written by brooke burris contrasts nicely against the texture of the
Photographed by alex hayden industrial warehouse space.

Project architect Kozo Nozawa of Seattle’s

Prentiss Architects helped guide the
homeowners of a ’90s rambler through a
full-gut remodel of their 5,000-square-foot
Medina home. With help from Odyssey
Builders, Nozawa maintained the original
footprint and reconfigured some of the
interior spaces, and Scot Eckley Inc.,
gave the exterior areas a full makeover.
The primary goal of the project was to
unify the indoor and outdoor living spaces,
providing an open, modern look inside
that would be in perfect balance with the
Pacific Northwest surroundings. Clean
lines, minimal trim, and white walls create
a light and airy feel. Wood elements—
such as rift-sawn white oak featured in
the exposed millwork—warm up the home
and tie in with the outdoors. The result
is a house that’s bright, fresh, and truly
Northwest.

76 GRAY ISSUE No. four

A Spa for all Seasons
Written by RACHEL GALLAHER : Photographed by JOHN GRANEN

Surrounded by vast expanses of blue prairie sky and gently rolling

Native American land, the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort and Hotel
is a scenic getaway from the big city. Last year, with help from
Seattle’s Mithun architecture firm, it underwent an expansion that
added a steakhouse, 98 hotel rooms, and a unique treatment spa with
a name fit for the setting: Ssakwa’q’n, meaning “water on the head.”
In this case, the head of a mountain is located near rural Crystal
Lake, and the 15,000 square foot spa facility embraces the beauty
of its surroundings.
“We really wanted to bring the outside in,” spa director Kelleye
Heydon explains. “The color scheme is very neutral. There is lots
of wood, such as cedar and also copper detailing—things that are
indigenous to the area.”
The minimal décor includes windows in most of the treatment
rooms, allowing for sweeping views.
“The décor is very rustic elegance, very gender neutral,”
Heydon says. “It is not your typical spa experience. Our motto is
‘From nature to nurture.’ ”

GRAY ISSUE No. four 77

resources
Ample Furniture Clayhaus Fieldwork Design, LLC Howard S. Wright
(pg 18) (pg 21) (pg 43) Construction Co.
4632-C Ohio Ave. S. Portland, OR Portland, OR (pg 64)
Seattle, WA 98134 (503) 928-3076 (503) 360-1437 Seattle, WA
(206) 834-6702 clayhausceramics.com fieldworkdesign.net (206) 447-7654
amplefurniture.com howardswright.com
Codor Design Flavor Paper
Atelier Lapchi (pg 20) (pg 22) IDSwest
(pg 32) codordesign.com flavorpaper.com (pg 15)
809 N.W. Flanders St. idswest.com
Portland, OR 97209 Cuchè Bikinis Fliptography
(503) 719-6589 (pg 38) (pg 74) IKEA
lapchi.com Vancouver, B.C. (877) 435-4786 (pg 18)
(604) 250-0548 fliptography.net ikea.com
BAKU Contemporary cuchebikinis.ca
(pg 2) Gaile Guevara Interior Imports from Marrakesh
(253) 265-3921 Cupcake Royale Design & Creative (pg 43)
bakucontemporary.com (pg 13) (pg 58) importsfrommarrakesh.com
Seattle and Bellevue, WA Vancouver, B.C.
Bobby Wolford cupcakeroyale.com (604) 617-2037 Karen O’Leary
Trucking and Demolition gaileguevara.com (pg 43)
(pg 50) Damien Jurado etsy.com/shop/studiokmo
Woodinville, WA (pg 33) Gelotte Hommas
(425) 481-1800 damienjurado.com Architecture Kaylee Cole
wolfordtrucking.com (pg 46) (pg 34)
Design Stage Bellevue, WA kayleecole.bandcamp.com
BoConcept (pg 70) (425) 828-3081
(pg 34) Seattle, WA gelottehommas.com Kirk Albert
901 Western Ave. (206) 829-9049 seattlearchitect.thenew Vintage Furnishings
Seattle, WA 98104 design-stage.com hive.com/arc-i-tek (pg 33)
(206) 464-9999 5517 Airport Way S.
boconcept.us Design Within Reach Glacier Window Seattle, WA 98101
(pg 48, 82) & Door, Inc. (206) 762-3899
Brook Farm dwr.com (inside back cover) kirkalbert.com
General Store 1229 S.E. Grand Ave.
(pg 43) Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Portland, OR 97214 Kravet
brookfarmgeneralstore.com Chinese Garden (503) 408-8838 (pg 43)
(pg 75) glacierwindow.com kravet.com
Builders’ Hardware 578 Carrall St.
& Supply Company, Inc. Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5K2 The Good Mod Ligne Roset
(pg 70) (604) 662-3207 (pg 43) (pg 32)
1516 15th Ave. W. vancouverchinesegarden.com 4701 S.E. 24th Ave. 112 Westlake Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98119 Portland, OR 97202 Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 281-3700 Esque Studio (503) 206-6919 (206) 341-9990
builders-hardware.com (pg 16, 22) thegoodmod.com ligneroset.com
esque-studio.com
1038 116th Ave. N.E., Ste. 310 GR Home LIT Workshop
Bellevue, WA 98004 The Fashion Group (pg 34) (pg 22)
(425) 679-5115 International of Seattle, 4520 Union Bay Pl. N.E. Portland, OR
builders-hardware.com Inc. (pg 42) Seattle, WA 98105 (503) 224-1399
seattle.fgi.org litws.com
Capers Hip
(pg 82) The Felt Hat (pg 17) LOOT Design House
4525 California Ave. S.W. (pg 22) 1829 N.W. 25th Ave. (pg 28)
Seattle, WA 98116 felthat.com Portland, OR 97210 925 N.W. 19th Ave., Ste. A
(206) 932-0371 (503) 225-5017 Portland, OR 97209
caperscapers.blogspot.com Fig Studio LLC ubhip.com (503) 477-5878
(pg 43) lootdesignhouse.com
chadbourne + doss Portland, OR Hive
architects (503) 367-7871 (pg 43) Madison and Grow
(pg 76) figstudiopdx.com 820 N.W. Gilsan St. (pg 43)
Seattle, WA Portland, OR 97209 madisonandgrow.com
(206) 860-1975 (503) 242-1967
chadbournedoss.com hivemodern.com

78 GRAY ISSUE No. four

play it lou

tech
fts
Local luthier Randy Parsons cra
wo rks of art
one-of-a-kind guitars into true
Written by Rachel Gallaher

bols of rock-and-roll. From Bob

The guitar is one of the iconic sym
ing to Jimi Hendrix’s impressive left-hand
Dylan’s acoustic strumm
cultural influence.
talent, the guitar has had a strong
instrument has become more
For local artisan Randy Parsons, the
of art. Parsons, who dabbled
than wood and string—it is a form
e he was a child , started in the business
with playing the guitar sinc
ir shop. In 2006, after receiving
about 20 years ago by setting up a repa
ar for Jack White (of The White
a phone call about modifying a guit
craf ting a one-of-a-kind copper-
Stripes fame), Parsons ended up
topped guitar for the musician.
there as requests for handmade
Parsons’ career skyrocketed from
icians and collectors. Now owner
guitars started flooding in from mus
hes his craft like a true artist, using
of Parsons Guitars, he approac
in instruments, taking anywhere
hand tools to create intricate patterns
a guitar, and using exotic materials
from six months to a year to create
exotic woods. “I’ve been involved
such as cow skulls, metal, vinyl, and
Seat tle native says. “They’re so
with guitars my whole life,” the
ry guitar I do is completely
complicated; it’s like a puzzle. Eve
an thumbprint on each one.”
different, but I like to leave the hum

GRAY ISSUE No. four 79

resources
Maison Inc. Penna & Co. Secretly Canadian Tilde
(pg 5) Kitchen & Giftwares Records (pg 33) (pg 43)
1611 N.W. Northrup (pg 82) secretlycanadian.com 7919 S.E. 13th Ave.
Portland, OR 97212 130-777 Royal Oak Dr. Portland, OR 97202
(503) 295-0151 Victoria, B.C. V8X 4V1 Sensitile (503) 234-9600
maisoninc.com (250) 727-2110 (pg 22) tildeshop.com
pennakitchen.com sensitile.com
Manor Fine Wares Tramell-Gagné
(pg 9) Perch Furniture SHERIDAN + COMPANY (pg 82)
907 N.W. 23rd Ave. (pg 43) (pg 30, 33) 5701 Sixth Ave. S.
Portland, OR 97210 923 N.W. 10th Ave. 1517 12th Ave. Seattle, WA 98108
(503) 954-2900 Portland, OR 97209 Seattle, WA 98122 (206) 762-1511
manorfinewares.com (503) 208-5128 (206) 414-3789 tgshowroom.com
perchfurniture.com sheridaninteriordesign.com
Masins Fine Furnishings University of
& Interior Design The Picket Fence Shwood Washington Alumni
(pg 3) (pg 4) (pg 20) Commons
10708 Main St. Sun Valley, ID shwoodshop.com (pg 64)
Bellevue, WA 98004 (866) 944-5511 Seattle, WA
(425) 450-9999 thepicketfence.com SieMatic Seattle washington.edu
masins.com (pg 11)
Pigeon Toe Ceramics 2030 First Ave., Ste. 110 W Seattle
Michael Folks Showroom (pg 20) Seattle, WA 98121 (pg 22)
(pg 48) 424 N. Tillamook St. (206) 443-8620 1112 Fourth Ave.
5701 Sixth Ave. S., Ste. 254 Portland, OR 97227 siematic-seattle.com Seattle, WA 98101
Seattle, WA 98108 (503) 709–5479 (206) 264-6000
(206) 762-6776 pigeontoeceramics.com Skylab Architecture starwoodhotels
michaelfolks.com (pg 22) .com/whotels
Portland Cement Portland, OR
Mitchell Gold Company (503) 525-9315 West Elm
+ Bob Williams (pg 22) skylabdesign.com (pg 48)
(back cover) Portland, OR westelm.com
1106 W. Burnside St. (503) 914-6120 Sound Glass
Portland, OR 97209 portlandcementco.com (inside back cover) Whidbey Island
(503) 972-5000 5501 75th St. W. Architects
mgbwhome.com Prentiss Architects Tacoma, WA 98499 (pg 50)
(pg 76) (253) 473-7477 Freeland, WA
Mithun Seattle, WA soundglass.com (360) 331-3503
(pg 77) (206) 283-9930 whidbeyisland
Seattle, WA prentissarchitects.com Spa Ssakwa’q’n architects.com
(206) 623-3344 (pg 77)
mithun.com Provide 37914 S. Nukwalqw Road Windows, Doors & More
(pg 18) Worley, ID 83876 (inside back cover)
modularArts 529 Beatty St. (855) 232-2772 5961 Corson Ave. S.
(pg 71) Vancouver, B.C. V6B 0G2 cdacasino.com/spa Seattle, WA 98108
Seattle, WA (604) 632-0095 (206) 782-1011
(206) 788-4210 providehome.com Studio SC windowshowroom.com
modulararts.com (pg 64)
Retrofit Home Seattle, WA Yonkman Construction
Nology Media (pg 34) (206) 262-9270 (pg 50)
(pg 45) 1103 E. Pike St. studio-sc.com Oak Harbor, WA
Seattle, WA Seattle, WA 98122 (888) 309-8127
(877) 665-6499 (206) 568-4663 Susan Wheeler Home yonkman.com
nologymedia.com retrofithome.com (pg 33)
5515 Airport Way S. Z Gallerie
Parsons Guitars Room & Board Seattle, WA 98101 (pg 48)
(pg 79) (pg 82) (360) 402-5080 zgallerie.com
Seattle, WA roomandboard.com susanwheelerhome.com
(206) 624-7668 Zimmer Gunsul Frasca
parsonsguitars.com Seattle Junk Love Terris Draheim (ZGF) Architects LLP
(pg 33) (pg 19, 47, 82) (pg 64)
seattlejunklove 5600 Sixth Ave. S. 925 Fourth Ave., Ste. 2400
.blogspot.com Seattle, WA 98108 Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 763-4100 (206) 623-9414
terrisdraheim.com zgf.com

80 GRAY ISSUE No. four

 “
Amy Stewart’s book inspired me to team up
with Seattle photographer David Perry and interview

library
flower farmers and eco-designers about all the
positive ways we can have seasonal and locally
grown flowers in our lives.”

A Floral Designer’s Bookshelf

Written by LINDSEY M. ROBERTS

MEET Debra Prinzing, FLOWERVORE. She is a Seattle-based garden writer who

asks where her flowers come from before she buys them—the same way some of us might
ask where our salmon comes from before ordering it at a restaurant. In her new book, The 50
Mile Bouquet: Seasonal, Local and Sustainable Flowers (St. Lynn’s Press, April 2012), photographed by
MARY GRACE LONG

Seattleite David Perry, Prinzing explains why we ought to take the local-food, slow-food movements to
the floral industry. She also offers inspiration and resources for DIY garden-grown bouquets and flower
arrangements. As a professional journalist, Prinzing reads a lot about each subject she reports, so we
asked her what’s on her potting-shed shelves this season.

Flower Confidential:
The Good, the Bad,
and the Beautiful in the
Business of Flowers
by AMY STEWART
(Algonquin, 2007)
Amy was the first person
to take a look inside the
global floral trade and reveal
how incredibly dependent
U.S. consumers are on
imported flowers.
Grow Your Own
Cut Flowers
by SARAH RAVEN
(BBC Worldwide, 2002)
Written by a gardener, not
a florist, this charming book
is about the joys of growing
annuals, perennials, bulbs,
flowering shrubs, vines, herbs
and ornamental grasses—so
that you are certain to have
endless ingredients for your
bouquets.
The Flower Farmer: Bringing Nature Home
An Organic Grower’s by NGOC MINH NGO
Guide to Raising and (Rizzoli, 2012)
Selling Cut Flowers
by LYNN BYCZYNSKI This is a beautifully photo-
(Chelsea Green, 2008) graphed book intended as a
visual poem to nature in all
This is an essential guide for four seasons. No imported
anyone considering entering blooms in this book!
the market-farmer business.
Home gardeners interested in
floral design will also benefit
from Lynn’s useful tips about
growing and harvesting cut
flowers.
GRAY ISSUE No. four 81
zodiac

Left to right: Patricia Urquiola Canasta

chairs for B&B Italia, $3,219 at Terris
Draheim, Seattle, terrisdraheim.com.
❈ Tuuci Razor Shade, $1,400 (umbrella)
and $525 (stand) at Design Within
Reach, dwr.com. ❈ Bodum FRYKAT Mini
Picnic charcoal grill, $80 through Penna
and Co. Kitchen and Giftwares,
Victoria, B.C., pennakitchen.com.

Gemini
Social,
Inquisitive,
Charismatic

May 21–June 21

Gemini and Cancer have sunny

colorful
dispositions. Add some bright,
.
pieces into your design forecast
and niCole munSon
Compiled by RAChel GAllAheR

Cancer
June 22–July 22

Nurturing, Left to right: Case Study Planter, $189

at Room & Board, roomandboard.com.
Protective, ❈ Aimee Wilder for Surya, $1,078 at
Optimistic Capers, Seattle, caperscapers.blog
spot.com. ❈ Custom Boa triple pendant
by Fuse Lighting, price available
upon request at Trammell-Gagné,
Seattle, tgshowroom.com.

82 GRAY ISSUE No. four

 Loewen Window Center
of the South Sound
5501 75th Street West
Tacoma, WA 98499
253-473-7477
sales@soundglass.com
www.SoundGlass.com

Loewen Window Centre

of Portland
1229 SE Grand Avenue
Portland, OR 97214
503-408-8838
sales@glacierwindow.com
www.glacierwindow.com

Loewen Window Center

of Seattle
5961 Corson Avenue South
Suite #100
Seattle, WA 98108
206-782-1011
www.lwcseattle.com
www.windowshowroom.com
Project: Waterfront Architect: McClellan Architects Builder: Jergens Construction Company

For luxury homeowners — and the architects, designers and custom builders who create their
dreams — Loewen is the brand that delivers an unrivaled combination of artisanship, experience,
and environmental sensibility in an extensive line of Douglas Fir, FSC Douglas Fir and Mahogany
windows and doors.

Contact the Loewen Window Center in your area to begin the experience.

Discover the world’s most inspiring windows

and doors at www.loewen.com Design. Create. Inspire.

GRAY ISSUE No. four 83

 Our MODERN
Connected with a common factor of comfort, we take a traditional
approach to modern design. Silhouettes with an edge, but never
edgy, bring a welcoming sense of warmth to clean and classic
lines. Experience our collection for the home: well priced,
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Hunter Chair 40”w x 39”d x 31”h in a crème textured solid, Manning Console Table 52”w x 12”d x 29”h, Concord 8’ x 10’ Rug in white,
Karen Cappotto’s “Map IX” framed collage print on archival paper 43”w x 35”h, Joe Cariati hand-blown glass vases.
84 GRAY ISSUE No. four