As children, we never saw the red skies that come from local wildfires. We never had to worry about whether our air was clean enough to go outside. We didn’t watch king tides in awe, wondering why peoples’ homes were built so close to the beach because they were flooding. We remember talking about hairspray putting a hole in the ozone, but we didn’t FEEL the ramifications of global warming. It didn’t feel real.

We do not take on projects without an established budget. But, how can one develop a budget without understanding the costs? Well, for starters, whether it is known or not, the budget exists. There is a number that is definitely too high, and there are expectations that would deem a low budget too low.

There are two crucial factors that should be considered before even scheduling that initial consultation. Time and Money. They absolutely do matter in planning a design project. Read on to find out how to develop your budget.

The term “biophilic design” may be somewhat new, but the idea of creating healthier spaces with nature’s influence is far from new. But, what is biophilic design? We’ve heard people describe it as “bringing any element of nature into a space”, which is pretty surprising that this would be seen as some new breakthrough idea. 

Contrast… what’s the big deal? I mean, look at all the beautiful homes that are monochromatic and provide an incredible zen feeling due to the lack of contrast. Why would we want to break up that peaceful aesthetic by introducing contrast?

When doing an interior site visit, it is not unusual for our team to walk to the windows and take in the view. While it may seem strange for our interior designers to stare out the window on an interior design visit, the truth is that it may be one of the most important considerations we make.

Vashon Island is a magical place to live, and many people dream of building a home here. What we don’t dream about when we dream of relocation, is the realization that our existing furnishings don’t work, or that there aren’t enough or the right furnishings for the new home. And, the furnishings that DO work need to be located, understood as to where they should live and how to best use existing items in a new space.

This kitchen was one of our early design-build projects and could not have been as successful as it was without the fantastic family who exhibited patience and grace throughout the entire process. Not only did we get to work with amazing people, but we also had the opportunity to integrate the home’s character with the family’s lifestyle and heritage!

We often hear from clients that communication is a concern based on horror stories or past experiences they’ve had. This is not due to a lack of trying, it’s a challenge of expectations and what expectations are realistic vs. those that are not, as well as communicating those expectations!

We’re sure that you’ve heard about greenwashing. It’s a cool thing to talk about sustainability, but what about walking the walk?

Freestanding bathtubs are stunning. We see them on the covers of magazines and posted all over Instagram (with low-hanging pendants and chandeliers - another topic of concern), and we are seeing so many homes pull out those tried and true alcove tubs to replace them with the lovely freestanding tub for the experience of soaking.

Let’s be honest though, how much are we thinking about that bathing experience and what surrounds this experience? There are many reasons people get freestanding tubs, and many reasons why maybe it's just not worth it.