MAGAZINE: pacific northwest design

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designreal. local.

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36 Tech The best of two-wheeled innovation.

38 Resources Design resources from the issue.

39 Zodiac A design horoscope for diplomatic Libra and passionate Scorpio.

26 Secret Garden Allworth Design creates a garden to offer the best privacy and Northwest views.

contentsDepartments

4 Hello Introducing GRAY.

6 Raves GRAY’s picks for the hottest products in the market.

10 Décor The coming of fall calls for some prehibernation preparation.

14 Interiors A blank canvas is a design dream for Vancouver’s Inoui Design Collective.

Features

20 Shopping Curtis Steiner’s Seattle store offers unmatched treasure.

22 Entertaining Heather Christo sets an early fall table that captures the best of the season.

32 Who Architectural luminary George Suyama releases his first solo monograph.

34 Architecture Projects from Olympia, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia.

October November 2011

contents✤

On the CoverCustom chandelier from Portland’s

Esque (esque-studio.com).

SEE RAvES On pAGE

six.Written by

stacy kendall

sneak peekpreview issueVisit graymag.net to subscribe.

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aybe we’re crazy. To start a regional magazine dedicated exclusively to design—coming out six times a year, in print no less—in the middle of economic uncertainty might seem insane. The thing is, we can’t think of anything that feels more right than doing this right now. We want to show the best of real, local design.

After we decided to embark on this GRAY adventure, we found marvelous design, talented people, and beautiful products were easily collected and available in this region.The amount of enthusiasm we encountered from people in our area who wanted what we wanted—an honest-to-goodness design magazine dedicated wholly to our corner of the world—was inspiring.

As GRAY nears the launch of its inaugural issue this December, we thought we’d share with you what we’re so excited about. Here you’ll get a glimpse—a sneak peek, if you will—at a handful of stories that will appear in upcoming issues. Let us know what you think, and share with us any story ideas you might have. We’d love to hear from you.

A GIANT thank-you to our gifted contributors and other individuals who expressed an interest in GRAY early on and have since gone above and beyond to help us bring this magazine to you, our design family.

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Email: angela@graymag.netSubscribe: graymag.net

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sneak peek 5

Writer heather christoheatherchristo.com

In this issue: Entertaining (pg 22)

Photographer hank drewhankdrew.com

In this issue: Décor (pg 10)

Photographer john granenjohngranen.com

In this issue: Shopping (pg 20) andEntertaining (pg 22)

Photographer alex haydenalexhayden.com

In this issue: Secret Garden (pg 26)

Editor at Large lindsey M. robertslindseymroberts.com

In this issue: Who (pg 32)

Photographer jen steelejensteele.com

In this issue: Interiors (pg 14)

Writer Marty wingatemartywingate.com

In this issue: Secret Garden (pg 26)

Writer rachel gallaherIn this issue: Interiors (pg 14) and Architecture (pg 34)

Creative Directorshawn williaMs

Editorangela cabotaje

Style Directorstacy kendall

Editor at Largelindsey M. roberts

Contributorsheather christo elle dhank drewrachel gallaherjohn granentaylor grantalex haydenseattle Models guildstace jen steeleMarty wingate

AdvertisingkiM schMidt (kim@graymag.net) info (info@graymag.net)

SubscriptionsgrayMag.netinfo@grayMag.net

Special thank-yous to: suzie & barney osterloh, randy altig, joe cabotaje, fred good, katherine grayson, david kendall, bob Mcclane, gail Mcclane, jill Mogen, david PaPazian, Peter quist, shirley sax, ellen shannon, giselle sMith, vicki sMith, Marnie tyson, brian williaMs, dale williaMs.

Vol. 1, preView. Copyright ©2011, published bimonthly by Gray Media, LLC. all rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpts granted by written request only. While every attempt has been made, Gray cannot guarantee the legality, completeness, or accuracy of the information presented and accepts no warranty or responsibility for such. Gray is not responsible for loss, damage or other injury to unsolicited manuscripts, photography, art or any other unsolicited material. Unsolicited material will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. If submitting material, do not send originals unless specifically requested to do so by Gray in writing.

MAGAZINE: pacific northwest design

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hot listSophisticated jewel tones and chic neutrals

fit famously into interiors this fall, while shopping local is always in style

Written by stacy kendall

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hot listHIGH GlAss Justin Parker and Andi Kovel of Esque designed a jaw-dropping custom chandelier for the new Sephora store in New York City, out of 180 hand-blown glass bottles inspired by the earliest known perfume bottle shapes.

You can take home a piece of Esque for yourself with its new playful Cozy Bottles with hand-knit covers in three delightful colors. $900 each at Esque, Portland, esque-studio.com. Inquire for custom glass orders.

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Slide, RulesUrbancase’s new Side Bar ups the ante again for bar-related furniture. Stunning in solid walnut with a Corian top, it has a panel that cleverly slides out to reveal its interior storage. We’ll raise a glass to that. $3,100 in Seattle at velocity Art and Design, velocityart anddesign.com; in Portland at EWF Modern, ewfmodern.com.

Hot ShotElegant soapstone keeps adult beverages staying and looking cool in Teroforma’s new Ekke shot glasses. The nonporous stone retains temperature for long periods of time, but our guess is that the glasses won’t stay empty for long. $38 for a set of four at Tilde, Portland, tildeshop.com.

“we were interested in designing a product that is in contrast to our electronic environMent. a way to relax at the end of the day or socialize with friends that doesn’t include a teleVision, computer, or personal electronic deVice.’’ —darin montgomery, urbancase

Army StrongThe Military Bench, designed by

Kirk Albert, is one hunk of beautiful metal. Crafted in Seattle’s Georgetown

neighborhood with American-made steel and covered with a vintage Army blanket, this limited-edition piece

saves the design day. $1,800 as shown at Kirk Albert, Seattle,

kirkalbert.com.

Get Inked<Banish the boring in the kitchen and welcome modern details with the Ink Blot Tea Towel by Pigeon Toe Ceramics. This abstract beauty needs no further analysis—we see pure design perfection. Or two ninjas battling each other ... $26 at pigeon Toe Ceramics, Portland, pigeontoeceramics.com.

Chair ApparentUpholstered in recycled German army blanket and constructed from handsome walnut and sleek aluminum, the 1.2 Chair by Urbancase is first in line for a sophisticated side or dining chair. $750 in Seattle at velocity Art and Design, velocityartanddesign.com; in Portland at EWF Modern, ewfmodern.com.

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THrEE For AllIt’s as easy as one, two, three—Pigeon Toe Ceramic’s take on the hanging kitchen basket is so fresh and so clean. Sophisticated, yet simple, it actually deserves four cheers. (See what we did there?) $148 at Pigeon Toe Ceramics, Portland, pigeontoeceramics.com.

“I like to challenge how an exceptionally malleable material like porcelain can be used beyond tableware—always looking to integrate new or interesting materials like rope or metal to put a new spin on a simple, classic idea.” —lisa Jones, owner and creatiVe director of pigeon toe ceramics

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Written by stacy kendall : Photographed by hank drewModeled by elle d : Hair & Makeup by stace

Nest.Even the birds know that you need to accessorize your nest with this and that, and for fall that means cozy pillows and throw blankets. Our picks pack major punch for room dressing this season. Even for those with pattern paranoia—which we admit to, at times—who can resist a sofa filled to the brim with comfy cushions or a side chair swathed in a fantastic

throw? In other words, these choices make any look fly.

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Double-faced wool blanket, $220 at Liave, Seattle, liave-home.com.

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Left to right: Hand-printed peacock pillow, $188 at The Standard, Bellevue, thestandardinbellevue.com. ❈ Custom F. Schumacher pillow, $150 at Revival Home & Garden, Seattle, revivalhome andgarden.com. ❈ Faux zebra pillow, $240 per pair at Great Jones Home, Seattle, greatjoneshome.com. ❈ Be Nice Or Leave pillow, $140 at nuBe Green, Seattle, nubegreen.com. ❈ Vintage Schiaparelli scarf pillow, $385 at Susan Wheeler Home, Seattle, susanwheelerhome.com. ❈ Blue and green zigzag pillow, $125 at Camelion Design, Seattle, cameliondesign.com.

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GRAY asked a few local designers whether we should still be giving our throw pillows the ol’ karate

chop. The verdict of our official, unofficial poll? 71 percent said “NO, chopping is out!”

(But diligent fluffing is still a must.)

Left to right: Mali mud-cloth blanket, $120 at Caldwell’s, Seattle, caldwellsonline.com. ❈ In2Green ikat recycled cotton blanket, $125 at Revival Home & Garden, Seattle, revival homeandgarden.com. ❈ Mohair throw, $220 at veritables, Bellevue and Seattle, veritablesdecor.com. ❈ Designer’s Guild Olsson throw in lime, $234.95 at Tabletop & Home, Bellevue, tabletopandhome.com. ❈ Chunky Hand-Knit Throw, $79 at pottery Barn, potterybarn.com.

statswho: inoui design collectivewhat: Interior design

details: A full-service interior design firm specializing in creating personalized and sustainable spaces that reflect its clients’ personality and style. Principal designers Kyla Bidgood and Amber Kingsnorth are both active professional members of the Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia and Interior Designers of Canada. See their work at inouidesign.ca.

Written by rachel gallaher : Photographed by jen steele

The women of Inoui Design Collective embody a bold,

modern design philosophy at their Victoria, B.C., office

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Others might have cringed at the amount of work that would be needed, but Kingsnorth and Bidgood saw it as a chance to do exactly what they wanted—design. The two, who met while studying at Vancouver Island University, came together in 2009 to form Inoui Design Collective, a firm as hip and vivacious as the young women behind it.

“We had a blank canvas, which was great for us,” Bidgood says. “We really wanted to showcase what we do best and our style, so we decided to keep the space pretty clean and modern.”

The office, located in Victoria, British Columbia, was

initially one story with an unfinished basement in a neigh-boring space. Seeing great possibility, the ladies decided to renovate the lower level, creating a bathroom and two work stations that they now rent out. They put their 400-square-foot studio on the ground floor. Dark brushed-oak flooring and white painted-brick walls create visual contrast and provide a clean background for added details such as wall art, shelving, and colorful seating.

It was important for the designers that their studio be functional as well as attractive. They wanted the space to reflect their design aesthetic but allow them room to grow

hen interior designers Amber Kingsnorth and Kyla Bidgood first saw their future studio, it was a mess.

Lumber was scattered about, and a nine-foot drop into the basement was the first thing to greet anyone who walked through the front door.

Amber Kingsnorth and Kyla Bidgood in their Victoria, B.C., studio. opposite: Kingsnorth works at a table made from a reclaimed beam found at Port Alice cannery. Structural light fixtures purchased from Fullhouse in Vancouver add texture to the space against a backdrop of the floor-to-ceiling sample wall.

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and change as their tastes evolve. According to Bidgood, the sample library can get a bit unruly at times, so an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling adjustable shelving at one end of the studio was essential.

Three large windows provide a lot of natural light, and side-by-side workspaces facing them allow the women to easily share ideas and work together on projects through-out the day. The rolling desk chairs were purchased from a friend (who found them on Craigslist) and recovered in bold Marimekko fabric, and the office mascot—Bidgood’s shih tzu Tucker—has a matching bed in the same print.

Behind the workspaces, a reclaimed slab of wood from Port Alice cannery makes a large table where the pair meets with clients. Bright-red chairs catch the color of the Marimekko print, and industrial-inspired light fixtures bring texture to the space. Small details such as vintage rulers along the risers of the office stairs and homemade folded magazine wall art demonstrate the women’s creativity and their design philosophy: “The fun challenge of our work is looking at what people already have and looking at how to use it in a creative way,” Kingsnorth explains. “Things don’t have to be super expensive to be really great looking and have great design.”

The reclaimed-beam table brings natural warmth to the mostly white studio, and bright-red Eames-inspired chairs provide a cheery pop of color.

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CloCkwise from above: Framed vintage covers of plan books from a local door company liven the downstairs bathroom with color; a wall calendar created by Victoria-based graphic designer and photographer Peter Bagi, who shot the numbers from various sites and addresses in Victoria; Tucker, office mascot, sits at the top of the stairs, which are detailed with vintage rulers; Bidgood and Kingsnorth created their own magazine art to bring dimension to the painted brick walls.

statswho: curtis steinerwhat: Gallery d’Objet

details: The corner space on Ballard Ave. showcases Steiner’s handmade greeting cards and jewelry, as well as serves as a gallery space for a revolving mix of hand-picked artists and one-of-a-kind antiques and curiosities.

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Come to 5349 Ballard Avenue Northwest in Seattle looking for a guitar, and you might just leave with a pair of handmade earrings instead. That’s because artist Curtis Steiner took over the former Guitar Emporium (rockers, you can still find them online) to open his eponymous boutique. He was forced to shutter his former shop, Souvenir, just a few doors down from his new digs earlier this year. Then what Steiner considers the most beautiful building on Ballard Avenue became available, and he snapped it up after having admired it for years.

Many considered Souvenir to be a treasure, but Curtis Steiner is a bit of a treasure himself. In his own words, he’s “kind of an eccentric retailer.” Indeed, he has elevated the shopping experience from less grab and go to more beauty by osmosis—just walking in imbues one with style superpowers.

If that sounds de trop, that’s the point. Antiques, curios, handmade cards, works by local artists, and whatever else pops into Steiner’s lovely head are all arranged for the express purpose of being beautiful. For him, what other purpose could possibly exist?

coMing uP, steiner says to expect Jewelry trunk shows with a more couture look, as well as formal openings for new artists.

Written by stacy kendall : Photographed by john granen

Curtis Steiner works his aesthetic magic again in a striking new space in Seattle, and we’re happy to indulge in his wondrous world

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al frescostatswho: heather christowhat: Chef and entertaining expert

details: A classically trained chef and entertaining expert, Christo mixes classically gracious hostessing with a modern sensibility. Her personal recipe and party blog, heatherchristo.com, and soon-to-be book on entertaining raises the bar for Northwest seasonal cooking and the art of the at-home celebration.

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al frescoWritten by heather christo : Edited by stacy kendall : Photographed by john granen

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all in the Northwest is a special time. The days are warm, and the light is soft well into the evenings. Dahlias are still in bloom, tomatoes ripen, and leaves have barely started to change color. All of us who live here are gifted with an incredible extension of sum-mer well into October, and we spend as much time

as possible soaking up the warmth outdoors. I love to throw parties outside for as long as the weather holds.

Early fall is one last opportunity to enjoy this gorgeous seaon, and I want to take full advantage of it.

For this party, I embraced a contrasting color palette of deep plums and aubergine—reminiscent of fall—mixed with bright and exuberant turquoises—playful and summery. These hues collide in a tablescape filled with vintage turquoise ceramics swimming in a backdrop of purple blooms. And because of my love for incorporating edibles into my tables, I added mounds of dark-skinned plums, ripe figs, and shiny blackberries spilling from the center of the table.

For the menu, I selected a meal that highlights seasonal and fresh ingredients in the fall, taking care to consider colors and textures that would stand out on the table.

I started with a platter of fresh figs (several varieties are easily grown here in the Northwest), thin slices of prosciutto, and creamy Burrata cheese. The first course is a gorgeous vegetable soup that is a brilliant orange color. Next comes a bright-green pasta dressed with arugula pesto and golden beets, served next to a mustard-glazed roast salmon. Dessert is a crowning jewel of pistachio ricotta pound cake topped with a medley of fall fruits, echoing the tablescape bounty.

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MenuPlatter of

fresh sliced figs, prosciutto, and Burrata cheese

Cauliflower carrot soup with goat cheese and

crispy shallotsSpaghetti with arugula pesto and golden beets

Mustard-glazed roast salmon

Pistachio ricotta pound cake with roasted fall

fruit compote

Pistachio Ricotta pound cakeSerVeS 8

¾ cup raw pistachio nuts1½ sticks butter1½ cups ricotta cheese1½ cups sugar3 eggs2 tsp vanilla extract1 cup flour2½ tsp baking powder½ tsp salt

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a loaf pan with baking spray.

2. Put the pistachios in a food processor and pulse until completely ground. Set aside.

3. In the bowl of a standing mixer, cream the butter, ricotta, and sugar until fluffy.

4. add eggs and vanilla and combine well, scraping the sides down if needed.

5. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, pistachios, baking powder, and salt.

6. add the dry ingredients to the mixer and beat until well combined.

7. Pour the batter into the loaf pan.

8. Bake the cake for one hour or until the top is golden and the center is set up.

9. remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on a rack until you can comfortably turn the cake out onto a platter or a cutting board.

10. Slice the cake and serve with fresh or roasted fruit.

Roasted Figs, Plums, and blackberriesSerVeS 8

4 cups blackberries, plums, and figs, sliced in half¼ cup sugar4 tbs butter

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Place all of the fruit face up in the baking pan.

3. Sprinkle with the sugar.

4. Drizzle butter over the fruit and sugar.

5. Bake for 30 minutes. (If you are serving with the pistachio ricotta pound cake, just put the fruit in with the cake for the last 30 minutes of baking and they will be finished at the same time.)

6. Serve hot with the buttery juice in the pan over pistachio ricotta pound cake or over ice cream or yogurt.

With favorite sources ranging from the grocery store to Seattle’s Great Jones Home, Christo’s knack for mixing new, old, edible, and non-edible accents is the key to her elegant parties. In this case, more is definitely more—especially when Christo incorporates the unexpected, such as her love of vintage jewelry. Christo hunts for sparkle at Rhinestone Rosie’s on Upper Queen Anne and often pins ribbons with vintage baubles to make custom napkin rings.

For the full list of Christo’s go-to sources, check out the extended story on the GRAY blog, graymagazine.blogspot.com.

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Allworth Design creates a garden with private beauty that is open to the best of its faraway surroundings.Written by Marty wingate : Photographed by alex hayden

Secret Garden

27Secret Garden

statslandscape: allworth designinstallation: nussbauM grouParchitecture: rex hohlbein architectsdetails: Allworth Design was created by landscape architect Randy Allworth, who designs seemlessly integrated landscapes that show the best of one’s built and natural surroundings. See his work at allworthdesign.com

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An expansive view it is, yet the landscape provides the house with a sense of privacy and intimacy—neighboring houses are artfully screened by purposeful plantings. “If you see five kinds of architecture at once, then you lose the experience,” explains Randy Allworth, who is principal at Allworth Design.

Called the Hinoki house, the home with its garden creates its own world. Allworth notes that the landscape is integrated into its setting because of “complete collaboration from the time the property was purchased” between all those involved with the project—homeowners, Rex Hohlbein

Architects, Nussbaum Group, and Allworth Design.Upon entering the auto court, the rest of the world van-

ishes. Oversized paving slabs—made using cast-in-place concrete—lead the way through a sea of lilyturf and then over the reflecting pool that mirrors the sky. The solitude of the space does not speak for the entire garden though. “Each area has its own personality,” Ann notes of the gentle transformation from woodland to cutting garden.

The water changes its tune when it moves south, passing through a narrow channel from the quiet pool and into a rough-and-tumble space along the master bedroom

e can see the weather coming,” Ann Ewel says of the view that she and her husband Jim have from the west-facing terrace of their house in Clyde Hill. W“

left: Entry from the auto court turns a corner along a path of crushed rock, passing beside a metal structure reminiscent of window blinds designed by Allworth Design. below: Across the lilyturf and reflecting pool, the eye is drawn through the house for an unimpeded view to the other side.

Trees and shrubs provide a mixed screening hedge around this Clyde Hill garden with a waterfall that rushes over large Montana stone.

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suite. It becomes a stream with a lively sound, splashing and churning against the expansive stone steps.

The perimeters of the property are planted with screen-ing trees and shrubs, including evergreens, such as native shore pines, California wax myrtle, and a strawberry tree. The variety in plant selection offers interest in any season. In winter, the long flower clusters of the silk tassel bush dangle like icicles. Spring finds the early color from red-flower ing currant, and throughout summer, lavender, crocosmia, and a host of other plants bloom.

Allworth included color for fall, too, in the foliage of the Japanese stewartia as well as sourwood—which turns shocking shades of orange—and witch hazels that color up

in autumn and also provide winter-scented flowers. Part of the fall color comes from three old Japanese

maples, retained from the former landscape and transplant-ed to different spots around the new garden. In spring and summer, their threadleaf foliage offers a soft visual texture, and in autumn, warm colors. But the show isn’t all leaves, because the old, twisted, mossy branches provide an intricate pattern that is seen best after the leaves fall. “I love them in winter, because you can see inside,” Ann says.

Ann and Jim’s property is an enclosed garden open to the world—the near views of neighboring houses and all the trappings of the suburbs vanish while the distant views draw the world close.

above: In the sunniest corners of the garden, ground-hugging sedum basks against rocks. Center: a path snakes through the perimeter of the garden, traveling through the sunny southwest corner and up to the lawn and Ann’s cutting garden. right: The evergreen strawberry tree offers both flower and fruit in November.

As the still water from the reflecting pool passes through a narrow channel, it tumbles down a small fall and over rocks, creating a lively scene outside the master bedroom suite.

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GeorgeSUYAMA

Written by lindsey M. roberts

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L ike a fern curled and protected from battering rain, the houses designed by George Suyama, 69, of Seattle’s Suyama peterson Deguchi Architects are protected from the weather by eaves, walkways, and verandas. It’s inside the houses that the fern opens up and windows become frames for constantly changing murals. “I’m interested in art as nature, trees as walls,” he says.

In Suyama: A Complex Serenity (University of Washington Press, April 2011), Grant Hildebrand presents the architect’s buildings in an ordered evolution, from inspiration by Gene Zema’s Japanese-influenced style to development of his own language rooted in each project’s site.

“Since the urban environment is expanding … connecting to nature has become an intrinsic human need,” Suyama says. “I see architecture as a way to bring the fundamental truth of nature back into our daily lives.”

Suyama obtained a B.Arch. from the University of

Washington in 1967 and began working for Zema. In the late 60s, he worked for Ralph Anderson. In 1971, he started his own firm. Ric Peterson and Jay Deguchi became part-ners in 1983 and 2002 respectively—and over the years he’s collaborated with additional architectural luminaries such as metal worker David Gulassa and interior designer Christian Grevstad.

Hildebrand notes that Suyama designs to eliminate “visual noise” and creates “visual music” instead. Wood ceilings conceal ducts, walls slide to reveal spaces, and views open toward sunlit gardens. One could argue that the beauty of Suyama’s houses is akin to the fern in another way—the plant seems effortless in its aesthetic and yet is complexly, precisely designed for its niche in the ecosystem.

Australian architect Glenn Murcutt says in the forward that Suyama considers all aspects of climate, flora, location, and geography. In his search for serenity in structure, Suyama designs houses that complement the serenity of their location.

The first solo monograph for Suyama explores and defines the interrelationship between inside and outside, which has come to define architecture in the North-west as well as Suyama’s work since 1971.

“the northwest has been tucked away doing its own thing for so long, but now through the internet, media and technology we’re seeing More exPosure and accessibility to regional design,” suyama says. “our reach definitely extends beyond our region.”

photos courtesy suyama peterson deguchi and uniVersity of washington press

paul warchol, courtesy suyama peterson deguchi

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Written by rachel gallaher

Water-treatment plants are often housed in low concrete buildings with signs that clearly state “keep out.” The LOTT Clean Water Alliance Regional Services Center in Olympia, Washington, has a decidedly different message.

“Conceptually, we were trying to make this organization a front door to the community and create a facility that people want to interact with and learn from,” explains Scott Wolf, a partner at Miller Hull who was in charge of the project.

The LOTT facility is a national leader in producing Class-A reclaimed water, the highest level of reclaimed water for nonpotable uses, and is certified LEED Platinum. It has contemporary appeal with corrugated metal siding and expanses of large windows. A wooden boardwalk leads over a reclaimed water pond into the new four-story Regional Services Center, which houses offices and an edu-cation center with interpretive exhibits and a classroom.

All interior wood was salvaged from a warehouse on an adjacent lot, and the ceilings feature stretched white nylon that help bounce light back into the building, saving energy costs. Regional artist Pam Beyette created whimsical stained-glass windows for the education center and two building entrances that represent images found under a microscope at different points during the water- treatment process.

photos by nic lehoux, courtesy miller hull

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Written by rachel gallaher

Architect Marianne Amodio of Vancouver, B.C., never took up tightrope walking or tiger taming, but she did get to join the circus.

The Vancouver Circus School hired Amodio to help design its new location in the city’s River Market. “I took a look at it and thought, ‘How can we make this special? How can we say circus?’”

She crafted a large big-top circus tent structure out of two- by-eights to house the office space. Yellow juggling balls fill the walls of the big top for color and whimsy, while a seating area and stage accented with yellow, space-saving cubbies and the popular double-slide kids-only entrance are attached to the side. An existing tree montage art installation created the inspiration for the “stick forest,” an alternative to the required safety guardrail around the front of the escalator.

“I wanted to give them something that was exciting and that spoke of what they do,” Amodio says. “When you think about circus, you instantly think about light and joy and happiness and wonder and awe.”

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Written by angela cabotaje

Take the humble wheel, put two together, and you’re left with a centuries-old means of transportation. But what is function without a beautiful

form? And what is style without any useful advancement?

A pair of two-wheeled wonders show us how far they have

come in both design and innovation.

high tech Vs.

low tech:t w o w h e e l s

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high techwho: brammo, based in portland, specializes in deVeloping and designing electric-powered Vehicles.what: Enertia plus

stats: The 2011 Enertia Plus electric motor-cycle features Brammo’s lithium-ion battery technology, which fully charges in approximately eight hours. The battery life allows the rider to achieve speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and travel up to 80-mile distances. The motorcycle’s lightweight extruded and welded aluminum frame comes in True Blood Red, Peacekeeping Blue, and Eclipsed Black, while a seat featuring textured black vinyl and charcoal gray synthetic suede is durable and water resistant.

buy: $8,995 (preorder pricing).To purchase the Enertia Plus, visit brammo.com.

tech

low techwho: traitor cycles designs and Manufactures its bicycles in ferndale, washington.what: Luggernaut Three Speed

stats: Traitor’s Luggernaut Three Speed combines the best of classic construction and modern innovation. The traditional lugged frame uses Columbus Thron tubing painted in clean white, baby blue, or crisp black. A Sturmey Archer internal three-speed hub allows riders to shift gears and travel with efficiency.

buy: $499 (frame) and $499 (three-speed build kit). For a complete list of retailers, visit traitorcycles.com.

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Allworth Design (pg 26)Seattle, WA(206) 623-7396allworthdesign.com

Brammo, Inc. (pg 37)Ashland, OR(541) 482-9555brammo.com

Caldwell’s (pg 13)2610 N.E. Village LaneSeattle, WA 98105(206) 522-7531caldwellsonline.com

Camelion Design (pg 12)5330 Ballard Ave. N.W.Seattle, WA 98107(206) 783-7125cameliondesign.com

Crate and Barrel (pg 39)crateandbarrel.com

Curtis Steiner (pg 20)5349 Ballard Ave. N.W.Seattle, WA 98107(206) 297-7116curtissteiner.com

Esque (cover, pg 7)Portland, OR(503) 289-6392esque-studio.com

EWF Modern (pg 8)1122 N.W. Glisan St.Portland, OR(503) 295-7336ewfmodern.com

{Far} 4 (pg 39)1020 First Ave.Seattle, WA 98104(206) 621-8831far4.net

Great Jones Home (pg 12, 22)1921 Second Ave.Seattle, WA 98101(206) 448-9405greatjoneshome.com

Heather Christo (pg 22)Seattle, WAheatherchristo.com

Inoui Design Collective (pg 14)Victoria, B.C.(250) 590-7378inouidesign.ca

Kirk Albert (pg 8)5517 Airport WaySeattle, WA 98101(206) 762-3899kirkalbert.com

Liave (pg 11)1205 Western Ave. Seattle, WA 98101(206) 364-0748liave-home.com

Marianne Amodio Architecture Studio (pg 35)Vancouver, B.C.(778) 991-0155maastudio.com

The Miller Hull partnership, LLp (pg 34)Seattle, WA(206) 682-6837millerhull.com

nordstrom (pg 39) nordstrom.com

nuBe Green (pg 12)921 E. Pine St.Seattle, WA 98122(206) 402-4515nubegreen.com

nussbaum Group (pg 26)Seattle, WA(206) 545-0111nussbaum-group.com

peter Bagi (pg 19)Victoria, B.C.(250) 818-2931peterbagi.com

pigeon Toe Ceramics (pg 8, 9)727 S.E. Morrison St.Portland, OR 97214(503) 709-5479pigeontoeceramics.com

pottery Barn (pg 13)potterybarn.com

provide (pg 39)529 Beatty St.Vancouver, B.C. V6B 0G2T(604) 632.0095 providehome.com

Revival Home & Garden (pg 12, 13)1517 12th Ave.Seattle, WA 98122(206) 763-3886revivalhomeandgarden.com

Red Ticking (pg 39)2802 E. MadisonSeattle, WA 98112(206) 322-9890redticking.com

Rex Hohlbein Architects (pg 26)Seattle, WA(206) 632-7276rexhohlbeinarchitects.com

The Standard (pg 12)10697 Main St., Ste. 3Bellevue, WA 98004(425) 467-1164thestandardinbellevue.com

Susan Wheeler Home (pg 12)5515 Airport Way S.Seattle, WA 98108(360) 402-5080susanwheelerhome.com

Suyama peterson Deguchi (pg 32)Seattle, WA(206) 256-0809suyamapetersondeguchi.com

Tabletop & Home (pg 13)1105 Bellevue Way N.E.Bellevue, WA 98004(425) 454-7322tabletopandhome.com

Tilde (pg 8)7919 S.E. 13th Ave.Portland, OR 97202(503) 234-9600tildeshop.com

Traitor Cycles (pg 36)Ferndale, WA(360) 366-5123traitorcycles.com

Urbancase (pg 8)(206) 853-6822urbancase.com

velocity Art and Design (pg 8, 39)251 Yale Ave. N.Seattle, WA 98109(206) 749-9575velocityartanddesign.com

veritables (pg 13)2816 E. MadisonSeattle, WA 98112(206) 726-8047veritablesdecor.com

reso

urc

es

39

Libra zod

iac

Left to right: Scales of Justice cufflinks by Ravi Ratan, $165 at nordstrom, nordstrom.com. ❈ Silver Lining Print, $279 at Crate and Barrel, crateand barrel.com. ❈ Antique settee c. 1850, $5,800 at Red Ticking, Seattle, redticking.com.

Balanced, artistic, refined

Resourceful, passionate, magneticScorpio

Clockwise from top: Pharos Pendant by Niche Modern, price available upon request at provide, Vancouver B.C., providehome .com. ❈ Porcelain Scorpion plate, $600 at {Far} 4, Seattle, far4.net. ❈ Gold Rhythm mobile by Flensted, $518 at velocity Art and Design, Seattle, velocity artanddesign.com.

We’ve consulted the stars, and they don’t lie. Libra and Scorpio, you have

great design in your future!

Oct. 24–Nov. 22

Sept. 23–Oct. 23

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