March is a month of transitions, changes in time, life, and
light. For most Seattleites, Daylight Savings Time is a welcome relief from the
endless gray. The increase in daytime light is inspiring at the onset of spring
- bursts of blooms and moments of sunshine. In our region, the rain
becomes daunting by the time March comes around, but nature makes its debut
with budding cherry blossoms, daffodils, and magnolias, plus cheery bird songs
announcing the start of a brighter season.
Spring cleaning was invented for a reason, and once the cold
of winter has departed, it is time to clean the house from top to bottom. Here
at PDR, we've been doing a little of our own
spring cleaning. We've been updating our office space with fresh paint, new
furniture, and a more efficient layout (Photos will follow next month.).
After a thorough and liberating cleansing, there are several
simple ways to update interiors and ring in the new season with fresh
inspiration. Try exchanging pillows or their covers for lighter /brighter
ones, swapping out wall art, and bringing out more colorful and
festive china for everyday use. Lighten the mood by rolling up heavy rugs
and replacing them with sisal; or, showing off your bare floors is another easy
update, along with switching heavy draperies out with something a little softer
and more sheer to let the light in. Investing in great slipcovers for
primary furniture pieces has been a long time tradition in the South, and one
that suits our variable climate as well. Slipcovers add a different dynamic to any
room's decor and protects furniture from heat and light.
We helped a client
with a variation on spring cleaning when she downsized from a downtown Seattle
condo to a 400 sqft unit at Park Shore in Madison Park. The dull existing unit
was transformed and freshened while maintaining the client’s personal
aesthetic, allowing her to feel completely comfortable in her new space. With
the exception of one additional piece of furniture, we relocated existing
items. The bathroom was completely gutted so a new, aging-friendly shower could
be built. Large slip-resistant porcelain tile was used on the floor of
the bathroom and a companion tile on the shower walls. Next, a vanity was designed with a stone top and
under-mount sink, and the bathroom gained additional storage from a large
recessed medicine cabinet. Sconces on each side of the medicine chest,
along with recessed lighting, improved visibility throughout. The kitchenette flooring
continued with the same tile from the bath, and the kitchen counter tops were
replaced with a limestone remnant. The client purchased a new refrigerator, and
we chose a selection of updated hardware for the new cabinetry.
Although it is a
small space, effective lighting was essential. Thus, the lighting plan included
dimmer switches. New plush carpet and paint in the living space added to the
comfortable cohesiveness. The beautiful fabric selected for the bedcover,
bed-skirt and shams was repeated on two dining chairs that made the move. This
light, refreshed, well-thought out space made her lifestyle change a little
easier.
