Shopping Seattle

I just returned from a trip to Seattle, my first time there. Yes it rained everyday, but otherwise, I was incredibly impressed with the place.

Some say that Seattle is a few years behind when it comes to style, catching onto the East Coast's trends late in the game. In my opinion, that's an irrelevant analysis. People in Seattle seem to have a style all their own, distinctly different in ways from other cities that we consider to be "style capitals". The difference I think is in the lifestyle of the typical Seattle resident. They incorporate a lot more outdoor gear into their wardrobe - hiking boots, hiking pants, parkas, things you generally find at REI. And they bike, A LOT. So they have really athletic looking messenger bags. I found myself getting into the fashion of the outdoor lifestyle, as much as the outdoor lifestyle itself.

A couple of boutiques really caught my eye that I thought I would recommend in case anyone heads there in the near future. You absolutely have to go to the REI mega store if you are there, but for the feminine additions, check out:

ALHAMBRA
Downtown, 1st Avenue and Pine St.

This shop was pretty high in price range, but each piece they carry is incredibly unique. I had never heard of Gary Graham, but they carry a lot of his things - simple and provencial dresses, but in luxurious fabrics - as well as Tucker's new line of blouses. The decor at the store is in itself worth the visit - lots of functional rusted iron sculpture. In general, a very wordly and travel inspired collection.




Baby & Co.
Downtown, 1st Avenue and Virginia St.

Baby & Co. is extremely parisienne. Jill Donnelly has had the store since 1973 and travels to Paris every year to buy most everything for the store. Great scarves, great European alternatives to Keds, lots of architectural dresses and trenches. And there is a sweet little Bulldog that hangs out at the front door :)

Jill's business card reads "Baby & Co., Seattle. Mars." which seems a leftover "far out" branding effort from the 70's, but her clothes are nothing if not down to earth and wearable.



Jill is hip. Check out her shoes.

Good China Bad China

Fine bone china featuring 7 deadly sins and 7 contrary virtues in prussian blue script. Set includes 12 dinner plates and two serving plates, or can be bought in pairs for $49 at Generate Design. From Remodelista.

New stuff at Coach

I've never considered myself a Coach fan, but they have some cool stuff lately (disclaimer: I'm in the market for an evening bag).


amanda metallic leather drawstring bag: $198


poppy feather crossbody: $298


poppy sparkle leather mini t-lock cross body: $138.


Amanda Satin Jewelry Roll, $98 (great gift idea, this one).

Liza Sherman Antiques- NYC

(My favorite, the Senegalese Oil Barrel Shelving Unit, price upon request).

Strolling through the West Village on my recent weekend in New York, I came across Liza Sherman Antiques- a good mix of industrial, french country and ethnic. The chandeliers are particularly awesome. Check it out.


French drafting table, $6,200. Stage lighting, pricing varies. Late Edo Japanese Handpainted Banner, $3000.


Cumulus Bamboo Chandelier, $1950. Bubble Chandelier, $3800.


Pair of Karl Springer lamps, $2200.

French Laundry Basket

...turned into a table. Would look awesome with stacked books or linens in the interior.Found this at Hanna Antiques In Birmingham, Alabama. Asking $300. Corresponding chairs $45 each.

Dixie Finds: Lounge Chairs

Found this Eames knock-off at A. Abbott Antiques for $299.You may be able to deal with the downgrades, considering the real thing costs $2,949.


Vintage Recliner. $450 at Hampton Antiques.

Cashmere Buffalo

Cashmere Buffalo is a great shop right at the crux of Antique row on Dixie and Rosedale. Their style is much more eclectic, and affordable, than some of the other gold-gilded places on the strip. I particularly like their linen selection. They've got the fancy stuff and the crafty stuff too.

My favorite piece out of the whole lot is the embroidered pillowcase (french) hanging on the arm of the settee. It's shaped like an envelope, and you secure it like you do an envelope as well, at the flap.



Linens range in price from $5 for a set of cocktail napkins to up to $385 for their damask and antique linens.

They've also just recently gotten in these antique Indian vessels. Very heavy, and would look so stellar clustered together in a foyer or on a dining room table. Maybe even next to your bathtub.


Antique Indian vessels, $65-225.

Dixie Find: Beach Pillows

Sea creatures. These are fun but not too loud. Handmade and asking $450 each, but the store is having a 40% off sale. Christa's South Antiques on Dixie.



These needlepoint pillows are my fave (there are two of them). Asking $200. Elephant's Foot Antiques on Dixie.

Dixie Find: Shi & Erhard

431 Bunker Rd.
West Palm Beach, FL
(561) 588-7288

Shi & Erhard is by far my favorite shop on Dixie. Part of the fun of antiquing is digging through the rubble, and this place is so dig-friendly. He honestly doesn't have a thing that's "flat", if I can use a musical metaphor here. It may not be your style but it has style. My favorite finds:




HOW INCREDIBLE IS THIS TABLE??? I'm gonna say "industrial cafeteria"? It's in pristine shape. All four connecting chairs swing out from under the table with ease and the decorative iron legs give it just the right touch of femininity. White glass top. Asking $6,500.


Peach, velvet Hollywood Regency love seat.


ELECTRIC red-head. Asking $200.

Dixie Find: Bamboo and Rattan

Found a whole set of indoor/outdoor bamboo seating in this fabric at Bamboo and Rattan on Dixie. Reminded me of the big leafy wallpaper I've been seeing in a lot of design mags/blogs. And also of the Gucci Spring/Summer '09 ad campaign (above). Joe (owner) has a ginormous roll of it just sitting in the store waiting to be snapped up if anyone is interested. We had an awesome chat. Says he just sold a whole truck load to Johnny Depp for his latest Hunter S. Thompson movie, The Rum Diary. Evidently they're filming it in Puerto Rico. I'll be front row at that one...