Christmas 2012

photo credit - Pintrest

I have been pondering one of my favorite Christmas songs "The Happiest Time of Year" and realize that for so many this is not a happy time of year.  It is a time of loss, a time of loneliness or a time of hopelessness.

As we enjoy our beautifully decorated homes and the closeness of family and friends, may we remember and encourage those who need a little extra love during this season and hold those we love a little closer.


Wishing you a Christmas and New Year filled with Peace.

Tami

Shop ART!

Last week I spent time working with VALA Eastside on a new and unique shop in Redmond Town Center.  This shop is featuring several local artists and will continue to run over the next 3 weekends.





Some of the highlights for me is the beautiful one of a kind jewlery, the glass pieces and the ever fun fiber art!

For more information on the organization and the Art Shop, visit http://www.valaeastside.org/art-and-wine-night-at-the-vala-art-shop-fri-nov-30th.  You'll be glad you did!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

 

Today I take some time to give thanks with family and I pray that your day is filled with many happy memories.

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I love Thanksgiving and the focus it puts on giving thanks - something we do enough of in my opinion - and it always makes me sad that we rush through almost skipping it trying to get ready for Christmas.

But I will admit that one of my favorite things even at this time of year is going into a boutique and seeing all the beautiful Christmas decoration displays... so different than a big box store!  This wonderful collection was found at "Lucky You" in Gilman Village - definately worth a visit if you are in the area.

Where's your favorite place to go for holiday decor?

Getting Started!

Getting started on a new project and don't know where to start? It's very easy to get excited about all the beautiful things there are to see and dream about, but before getting to the place where you will actually start purchasing the fun stuff you must start with a little planning.  Here are a few tips if you are starting a project that will help whether you are working with a designer or working on your own.

·  Take inventory - what we will you be keeping in the space and what will you be getting rid of? This is where you will start building your design plan from.

·  Think budget - even if you are unsure of what a project will cost, have an idea of what you want to spend - you can always increase that number once you begin pulling the plan together, but there are so many choices at so many different price points, it's easy to plan your project out of your budget.

·  Put plan to paper - don't start purchasing until you have decided everything. A design plan can be like a puzzle and once you make a purchase then your other choices will narrow to what you will be able to use. Something that you love for the bathroom floor, in light of what you find for the shower walls may call for your 2nd choice on the floor for the whole space to have the look and feel you want.

Once your plan is complete, you are ready to get started with implementing the plan!

A little red, white and blue...

In honor of the priviledge we have today to get out and vote for those who will lead us, I thought I would highlight some of my favorite fabrics in the Americana theme.  And who does Americana better than Ralph Lauren?  In my book no one!

Ralph Lauren Fabrics

Which fabulous red, white and blue fabric do you vote for?

Time for a change

This weekend we get to "fall back" and I, for one, am excited for the extra hour of sleep!  That also means we must remember to visit each of the clocks in our homes, offices, and cars to make sure that we arrive on time to whatever our schedule has in store.

So since we'll be a little focused on our clocks, I thought I would highlight some of my favorite's.

First a great table top clock for a more casual look from one of my favorite places, Ballard Designs....



L'oeil du Temps Clock

And I can't resist a big oversized wall clock - another great option from Ballard Designs.

Chateau Betton Clock

Maybe a more contemporary option like this one by Geroge Nelson is a little more to your liking...

Vitra Design Museum Spinal Clock by George Nelson

Or maybe you just don't care about time and can go with something a little more laid back like this quirky clock from uncommongoods.com!

Whatever style you like and whatever you will do with that extra hour on Sunday.... enjoy!

East Coast Prayers....

Today I take a short break from my regular blogging to wish all my east coast friends and family safety as they continue to deal with the effects of the storm.

Praying that this will pass and that everything can return to normal quickly!

Gone Pink....

In the month of October everyone seems to be going pink.... pink for breast cancer awareness month. It has been fun to see how different resources and companies have shown their support to help raise awareness.  One of my favorites is from Walker Zanger, who happens to be one of my favorite tile sources!  Take a look at some inspiration for their beautiful pink tiles!

This year, I participated for the 3rd time in the Girlfriends Half Marathon in Vancouver, WA.... here I am with my running girlfriends getting ready for the start line with nearly 1000 other women who have survived breast cancer or have been touched in some way by this devastating disease.  What a priviledge!



Photo credit Kate Eakman, History and Heritage, LLC

So tell me.... how did you go pink this month?

3 local sites to see and looking for more!

I am always amazed at how our area (greater Seattle for those who don't know) always has new and fun things popping up to do - it's like you can be a tourist in your own city!  Here's 5 that I'm planning to visit going into the holidays!

The Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibition at the Seattle Center - It's always so amazing to view Chihuly's work and if you can't get down to the Glass Museum in Tacoma, this looks like it will be a great way to enjoy his work!

VALA Eastside is highlighting local artists, Ulrike Kreppold and Phil Jensen in their Gallery at the Redmond Town Center through November 12th.  There are also some exciting events coming up, so watch the VALA website for more details....

Christmas Lights in the City!  There are many places to go see the Christmas lights, but if you want to see the top 3 rated self driving tours you don't have to go far.... Candy Cane Lane in Ravenna, Olympic Manor in the Greenwood Area and Kerry Park in Viewpoint.

These are some things on my not to miss list for the coming months... can you add to the list??

Gotta love glass tile!

I love a trip to the tile showroom.  I think it must be something about the hundreds of tiles to choose from and the endless possibility that comes with each one.

During a  quick stop into United Tile for a field tile sample on Tuesday, I couldn't resist peeking in at some of the glass tiles.... so beautiful!!

So many I couldn't get them all in one picture!



Love this shape!



Another cool shape shown with some natural stone and glass liner



One of my favorites!

Today, I get to visit Daltile... Stay tuned for more adventures in tile!

Bedroom Make Over Basics

With the cold nights setting in (we've started seeing 35 degree mornings!), is your bedroom set for those times when you just don't want to get up yet?  A bedroom should be a sancutary to rest and refresh - an escape from the outside world.

Regardless of budget there are certain things that I believe every great bedroom should include.  Here's the list with a few of my favorites for "show and tell"!

Beautiful bedding.....

From Barclay Butera Luxury Bedding

Great bedside tables.... and remember, both of them don't need to "match" - find 2 that go together well and you're all set!

Avalon Heights Nightstand by Stanley

Perfect Lighting.... another item where they don't have to match!

And when space allows, a great chair is a must!



Salon Chair from the Barbara Barry Collection

Complete the space with window treatments, artwork, accessories and you will not want to leave the bedroom all winter!

Are you ready for a bedroom make over?






Moving Day...

Today is the day.... our website is moving to www.TamiJones.net and our October Newsletter will go out this afternoon!  Take a few minutes today and check out the changes to the site, click on the newsletter link and sign up to get our quarterly mailing.

A very special thank you to Karen Missler for her most excellent web design!  Couldn't do it without you!!

Tami

A New Favorite!

I absolutely love how fun the decor for kid's rooms are getting!   Here's one of my new favorites from Dwell Studio's - yes it's dinosaurs, but look how smart and modern....

Dwell Studios Dinosaurs bedding

What would your kids think?

A 1919 Farmhouse goes Funky!

A recent project - a 1919 farmhouse with a 1960ish addition, needed new plumbing and some updated bathrooms!  Take a look!

The master bath increased in size from approx 33 square feet to 100 square feet with just a little reconfiguration..



The use of a reclaimed concrete countertop adds the look of age while mixed with the new tile and vanities

 

An old reclaimed window becomes a towel rack - just add hooks!



The old shower space becomes the perfect spot for... we'll you know!

The main bath of the home didn't change in size, but removing an old vanity and replacing it with a pedestal sink, gives it a bigger feeling and loads of funky style!

Refurbished the tub original to the 1919 home, and antique mirror and reclaimed mantel provide the funk!

These updates truly reflect the homeowners.... what does your home say about you?

5 hints for being prepared for holiday decorating

Yesterday I received my first Christmas catalog in the mail and it made me almost giddy!  I love flipping through the pages and dreaming of a new holiday look.  Whether you are looking to have a whole new holiday look or are simply putting up the tried and true, these tips can help you keep the stress level down and the fun factor up!

2011 Mantel Design

Here are my top 5 hints to making holiday decorating fun, and easy!

1) Plan early.   Set aside the date for pulling out your decor from storage and then take the day to enjoy yourself.  You will especially want to start now if you are planning a whole new look - plan to have your new decor planned and purchased before thanksgiving and ready to go up on the date you have set aside.

2) Make a tradition of it!  Put on a big pot of soup or another favorite low effort do ahead meal so that you are smelling it through out the day and then get started.  When you are all done, sit down and enjoy you accomplishment of the day.

3) If you do more than the tree, start with your other areas and end with the tree - so that when you are done, you can sit back and enjoy.

4) The decorating is not done until the storage boxes are put away, so make sure that you have any help you need getting those back into the storage spot!

5) If you have kids that want to "help" - make it easy on yourself and pull everything out and get the "hard" stuff done while they are napping or at school.  Then when they get back you will be ready for their excitement and for them to help you put on the finishing touches.  You might even consider putting up a small tree in a play room that is all theirs to decorate!

What's your plan for holiday decorating this year?

Color Stories.....

A couple of months ago, I was invited by Mallory Paint Stores to participate in a event that introduced the new Benjamin Moore color line called "Color Stories" to designers and bloggers in the greater Seattle area.  It was inspiring to hear the speakers from Benajmin Moore talk about these colors and the inspiration behind each of the different 240 colors.

For me, what really made this paint line unique is that none of these colors are mixed using black or grey, making them each a specific color in the gallery rather than shades and tints of a base color.  Each one, whether light, dark or someplace in between has a richness to it that comes out in any light.


Color Gallery

I left with a bag full of goodies and look forward to putting those to work and some paint on the walls!

Tell me.... if you could repaint your wall this weekend, which color would you choose out of these amazing 240 colors?


Fall Inspiration

What a beautiful start we are having to our fall - it seems more like summer and I am enjoying it!  The cool nights and warm days are the perfect setting for inspiration as the leaves begin to change to the warm tones of red, orange and brown.  From nature to fashion, the colors of fall provide a wonderful pallet for our homes.

Finding something that inspires you is the first step of creating a space that reflects you and your lifestyle.   What inspires you?



images from pintrest, Mt Si photo credit Rob Desch Photography

My favorite countertops

Everyone loves a solid surface countertop, and I am no exception. Whether in the kitchen or bath, solid surface countertops provide a sleek look and are so easy to clean -- without any grout lines to worry about. I love a beautiful, unique granite, but there are other surfaces to consider as you begin the design process.

Since I've mentioned granite, I'll start with that: granite is beautiful, durable, and heat resistant. While it is not stain resistant on its own, with the appropriate sealer, granite can withstand the test of time. Granite style ranges from very static patterns to very organic patterns that show a lot of character and movement. That's what makes it a great product!

Granite can include beautiful movement

Synthetic solid surfacing is also very durable -- although not heat resistant -- and can be a great option if you are looking for less of a patterned statement. Additionally, this surface does not require sealer to protect from stains, so it's a great long term investment.

Synthetic solid surfacing is expanding it's pattern options

Engineered quartz products, such as Cambria, are made of pure natural quartz. Quartz is an extremely hard mineral combined with a small amount of pigment and resin. The process results in a natural stone product, which is both stronger than granite and nonporous. Quartz is the main product in Cambria, while in granite there is only 40 to 60 percent quartz. Engineered quartz products are highly stain resistant, but hot pads are recommended for heated pots and pans.


Cambria has a similar look to granite!

Concrete is unique in that it can be molded into any shape, and dyed or stained to coordinate with any interior. This product is durable and more resistant to heat, scratches, and stains when properly sealed. It is great in an industrial, rustic or contemporary aesthetic, and will change over time, even within the first few months. Though it can be expensive to install, a concrete surface is well worth the cost if it fits within the look and budget of your project.

Contrete doesn't have to look industrial

So that's my take on solid surface counters, now tell me -- what's your favorite?

Seattle Design Center Featured Designer...

As one of the first place winners at the 13th Annual Northewest Design Awards, I was given a featured designer spot on the Seattle Design Center website... I hope you will drop by and take a look at some highlights from my own website!

The Seattle Design Center is a great resouce for high quality furniture... stop by and take a look at their website!

Mother's Day Favorite Things

Mother's Day is this Sunday and if you haven't found the perfect gift for your mom, let me share with you my top 3 favorite things....

Making the list again this year is Glassy Baby ... they come in so many beautiful colors (I'm showing my mom's favorite color here) and with each one being so unique it's a perfect gift!



If your mom is like mine, she might just like some flowers for her garden and one of my favorite places to find wonderful plants is a local store called Molbak's - its a fun place to visit, shop and have a cup of coffee too!

Next on the list is one of my favorites (and would be a hit if I was a mom!) is from Swarovski.... a flower that sparkles and will not go out of season!




However you decide to honor your mom this Mothers Day, take time to enjoy the day with her!

In the news....

Last week I was interviewed by the local newpaper The Snoqualmie Valley Record.  Here's the article for you to read.  What an honor! 

Snoqualmie Valley Record

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring!

According to the calendar, today is the last full day of winter and tomorrow brings the newness of spring!  While I'm not all together sure that the Pacific Northwest will make it to spring on time, I do want to be ready for all the beauty spring flowers will bring, which means an inventory of my vase storage!

It's easy for this space to get over crowded - just a few new floral arrangements can cause your cabinet to overflow in clear generic vases!  Take time now to clean out and prepare for the new flower season.  Here are a few tips....

1) Keep a variety in your collection of vases; a bud vase for a single stem, short globe, or square shape to hold a bunch of short-stemmed flowers, a tall vase for long-stemmed bouquets - you get the idea.

2) Keep only as many vases as you have room to store - weed out any duplicates

3) When possible, nestle smaller vases inside a larger one to create more space.  Just remember to use paper towels or  some other protection to prevent breakage.

Finally, try to keep one vase in use at all times so that no matter what time spring appears, you can enjoy the wonderful colors of the season!

And the winner is....

Very honored to be awarded First Place in the "Individual Spaces - Traditional" category at last Thursdays 13th Annual Northwest Design Awards Gala!

Woodinville Wine Cellar Project, completed in conjunction with EB Building Group LLC.

There were 14 categories and with 135 entries from all over the Pacific Northwest and 275 people were in attendance.  I am so thankful for home owner, Sheri Carruthers for entrusting me with bringing her vision to life and to such a creative contractor, Eric Backman of EB Building Group for taking the space from concept to reality!

It was a fun evening with a 1940's glamor theme and the Design Center was transformed beautifully.



The crowd waiting to go in.

The room from above.

A special thank you to my host Robert Allen/Beacon Hill Rep's - Joe, Pat, Forrest and Terra, who started the evening out with a wonderful pre-party to myself and 5 other residential designers.

Pre-party in the Robert Allen/Beacon Hill Showroom