Galleries: Trends & Inspirations
The Seattle Showhouse
With a view of the Seattle skyline, this showhouse already had something going for it. Eight designers stepped in to change this modern but plain building into a family home in less than two weeks, creating the first-ever designer showhouse furnished and designed entirely online.
“When I initially saw the images of the space I knew it really needed to be brightened up and modernized,” said Seattle-based designer Ashley Redmond, who outfitted the kitchen. “The countertops that were originally there were a granite with a lot of movement and were pretty dark. That paired with brown cabinets and a beige paint really made the space feel heavy and much smaller than it actually was.”
“I really wanted to show how open and multi-functional the space was, we painted the cabinets a rich black and walls pure white, and because the home owners were big cooks and needed a durable countertop, we opted for a really light white quartz that is very low maintenance,” said Redmond. “That made the biggest impact in the space.”
Redmond outfitted the kitchen with warming details like a rustic dining room table and a black-and-white rug.
According to Redmond, changing out the light fixtures in the space also made a big impact – adding a dramatic chandelier over the dining table changed the whole look of the space and created a much needed focal point.
In regard to designing online, Redmond said that talking in depth to the client helped. “[I needed to get] an understanding of how the space is used, who uses it and how it functions,” she said. “It’s also great to share inspiration images back and forth with the client to make sure everyone is on the same page. I had a distinct vision for the space and shared a number of images with the client to be sure the family understood my vision before we proceeded.”
“When designing online, the biggest challenge can be the photos – you want to be sure that you get photos from every angle so you can truly understand the space,” said Redmond. “Talking in depth to the client really helps the design and getting an understanding of how the space is used, who uses it, how it functions. It’s also great to share inspiration images back and forth with the client to make sure everyone is on the same page.”
The living room, designed by Brian Paquette, boasts materials like a vintage rug, a circular black-and-gold chandelier and a piece of art depicting a ship.
The boy’s room, designed by Melissa Schenck, works for any age with a striped rug, orange accents and references to naval life.