Owners of the Wallingford home are looking to make their current residence more usable according to their daily needs. They are attracted to wallpaper and statement pieces in what would otherwise be a very simple, traditional room. The rooms will be used as an informal private retreat with smart storage solutions to keep their space organized and functional. Happy Mood Board Monday!
At Atelier Drome, we are design curators - with knowledge of and access to both current and timeless designs to complete your space. Our interior design services strive to refine and compliment your ideal aesthetic. Whatever you need to make your home or commercial space feel truly finished, we can help you find that special item you didn't even know was missing.
Bellevue HealthCare, a locally owned and operated medical supplier, has been in business in the Pacific Northwest for over a decade. So when they approached us to design a new headquarters for them in the heart of Redmond, we were thrilled! Their new home is located in a 13,360sf office building. Adding new interior partitions, we were able to create multiple open work areas, coupled with playful independent office pods. Additionally, a generously appointed kitchen and employee lounge were added, as well as updates to the conference room and reception area. Working in tandem with the builder, DLH, many of the existing elements were re-purposed and given new life. All new finishes were selected and the space is now sporting an edgy, raw aesthetic. This once cavernous and dull office space is now an upbeat and exciting place to work.
Aesthetically, lighting fixtures can be like
jewelry for an interior, adding a bit of sparkle and just the right finishing
touch to a space. Functionally, there is a lot more to selecting a fixture than
just its dashing good looks. The right (or wrong) lighting selection will make
or break a design, regardless of how well the rest of the space has been
crafted. Below are five key concepts to understand when selecting the right
fixture.
UL listing
The UL, or Underwriters Laboratories, is an
independent US company that tests and verifies consumer products to ensure
their safety for the public. It is important to select a fixture that has been
tested and approved by the UL, especially if it is going in a bathroom it will need to be UL listed for use in damp locations.
Lamping
Lamping refers to the type of bulb (or lamp)
used in a fixture. Different types of bulbs have different light outputs,
require different amounts of electricity, and have varying lifespans. For example,
LED lights have a much longer lifespan (as much as 10-15 years which is great
for fixtures in locations that are difficult to service) and they are also a
great option for saving on energy costs. Some fixtures can accommodate
different types of bulbs, but others cannot. Be sure to check the
specifications to see whether the fixture uses a bulb that is readily available
in your local store, or whether it is something you will need to special order,
as this will impact the ease of maintenance over time.
Lumens
Lumens are the measurement of light output from
the lamp, or bulb, as mentioned above. We are accustomed to understanding light
output in relation to the watts of an incandescent bulb, but with so many other
options (LED, halogen, fluorescent) a little math is needed to determine light
output: The total output (lumens) you will get from a fixture is equal to the
wattage of the bulb, times the lumens per watt for the bulb type. Therefore, a
60w incandescent that produces about 15 lumens per watt will give off only 900
lumens, whereas a 60w LED that produces 30 lumens per watt will give off 1800
lumens. (Hence the energy savings of switching to LED lights.)
Color Temperature
Color Temperature refers to how visually “warm”
the light output appears. It is measured on the Kelvin scale of 1,000K
(warmest) up to 10,000K (coolest). This influences the “mood” you want to set.
Psychologically, a room filled with “warm” light (2,000K-3,000K) gives a sense
of cozy intimacy and is desirable in restaurants or living rooms. A “cool”
white light (3,000K-4,500K) tends to make a space feel vibrant and bright,
which works well in offices or bathrooms. Daylight falls around 4,600K-6,500K,
which feels energizing and crisp and is great for task lighting.
CRI
Finally, the CRI is the Color Rendering Index,
measured on a scale of 0-100. Different light bulbs (and hence the fixtures
that require them) will vary when it comes to how accurately colors appear
under the light. This is separate from Color Temperature, and gets very
scientific very fast. To simplify the concept, what is important to note when
selecting lighting for spaces where color accuracy is crucial (like a design
studio, salon, or your dressing area at home) is that the higher the CRI
number, the more accurately you will see color. Daylight has a CRI of about 75
and typically in a living space you will want a CRI of 70 or higher.
As you can tell, the art and science of lighting can be very complex,
and we haven’t even touched issues like beam spread or control systems. For
large projects or public buildings where lighting plays a critical role it is
often desirable to engage a lighting consultant. However, understanding these
five key concepts is a great starting point for discussing the basics with your
architect or designer, or shopping for fixtures on your own.
Home owners in Mercer Island are expanding their home as they are expanding their family. The couple are expecting a baby! The remodel will add a modern or contemporary look to the house while keeping the aesthetic simple and clean. Open functional spaces accommodate house guests and leave the guests with an airy or open first impression.
You have from now until January 8th to see the exhibit, "Yves Saint Laurent: The Perfection of Style" at the Seattle Art Museum. Explore the 44-year long career of Yves Saint Laurent. Not only does the exhibit feature garments but it presents sketches, film, and fabric scraps to understand the legendary designer's entire design process. Dive into the design community by going to the SAM this month.
A renovation to an existing house overlooking
Cle Elum Lake, is taking place near Ronald, WA. The current design of the roof results in as
much as 15 feet of snow and ice cascading onto the clients' deck - this is the main
reason for the project, as this problematic roof design resulted in half of the
original metal roofing peeling off. The project proposes a revised roof design
that will allow snow to slide off to an out-of-the-way location and provide
covered outdoor areas. It also involves a lower-level addition of a wine
storage area for 750-1000 bottles and a tasting area underneath a new deck
and adjacent to new stone or concrete patios.
Construction is underway for a new construction and residential design project in Bellevue. The bright and traditional concept for this home will bring it to life. Darker finished on the lower floors will transition to light finishes on the upper floor and while the main level will have a formal look to it, the upper floor will have a casual feel. Keep reading to see further updates on our projects!
Happy Mood Board Monday! This week we are featuring our Carriage House project. A full second story addition and a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) are being added the the Queen Anne residence. Traditional, yet, dramatic stairs and windows will be used on the space with an eyebrow dormer roof design. The curved roof will add an aesthetically pleasing, soft detail.
Mood Board Monday features the design process for Salare Restaurant. The industrial chic look is portrayed through the mood board. It also offers a welcoming atmosphere that is as comfortable for couples as it is for families. Take a look at the completed Salare project on our website to see how the design development evolved. Happy Mood Board Monday!
We recently began design on a renovation project for a house above Cle Elum Lake, near Ellensburg, WA. Since the house is east of Snoqualmie Pass and about 2,500' above sea level, the climate is much different than the damp climate of the Puget Sound region. Instead of droopy cedars and moss, Ponderosa pine and sagebrush abound. Unlike Seattle, which receives little snow each year, the project site receives about 12 feet of snow each year. This becomes really important when considering the design of the roof.
Roofs can be designed to shed snow or hold it on the roof. While snow can actually be a great insulator, extra care has to be taken to ensure that the roof does not leak if holding snow. It also tends to pile up in valleys. An avalanche of snow and ice from a roof can be dangerous, so particular care has to be paid to the location of elements such as windows and entrances. FEMA, an agency who's opinions I generally try to pay attention to, recommends a minimum slope of 8:12 for a roof to shed snow. Metal roofing encourages snow to slide off, while textured materials encourage it to stick around.

In an urban environment, we are often more aware of facades and interior space than we are of roofs, despite the fact that they are up there (usually) keeping the wet out! In more remote locations, where a building is seen within its landscape, the roof is often more visible. I found the article "Martin's Ten Rules of Roof Design" to be an interesting read, definitely written from a roofer's perspective. Although he finds things like dormers problematic, he makes a good point that the simplest roof design is often the best roof design. Besides, wouldn't you rather spend money adding something awesome to your house than repairing a leak?
Beginning this project got me thinking about architecture in more extreme climates. While we can really do a flat or low-sloped roof to achieve a modern look, even in snowy climates, there are centuries of wisdom around how to build in blizzard-prone regions.
See the images below for some inspiring images of snowbound architecture!
Construction is in progress at Bellden Cafe in Bellevue! This initial buildout in a new building on Main Street will bring a bright beach cafe inspired coffee spot, with a design that borrows from Scandinavian ideas. The simplicity in layout, materials, and colors, paired with a few decorative touches, will make for a unique destination. We are excited to see this project getting started, and we'll be sure to show off more soon!
Our Kirkland remodel project is in the works. In order to keep the exterior look of the home cohesive and modern, the exterior has a mid-century inspired aesthetic. Dark colors give the house a chic style and an uncomplicated feel. Happy Mood Board Monday!
What used to be a 3,000 square foot retail space in Mercer Island is being transformed into a new church and reading room. While the old reading room had a traditional library aesthetic, the new reading room is intended to be warm and inviting. The light-filled space will have a different look to it so that it is more appealing to younger attendees. Stay tuned for our weekly Mood Board Mondays!
On Friday, September 23rd Fernanda D'Agostino's Suyama Space Installation of "Generativity" will take place at 5PM. This exhibit features a performance by Isabelle Choiniere; complete with sculpture, video projections, coding and sound. "Generativity" explores how nature shapes and regenerates itself and viewers of the exhibit find themselves in a constantly changing space. Come take in Fernanda D'Agostino's unique creation.
www.fernandadagostino.com
www.suyamaspace.org
www.fernandadagostino.com
www.suyamaspace.org

What used to be a teriyaki space in Seattle is now being transformed for our client into Wanderfish Poke. We put together a Mood Board that matches their fast and casual restaurant. The color concept keeps the space fun and exciting for restaurant-goers. We can't wait to share the rest of the design process with you.
The biggest design-related event in the Pacific Northwest is back again for another year! The Seattle Design Festival will run from September 10th to September 23rd in various locations in Seattle as it brings together designers, experts, and the rest of the community. Come to find out how design can improve lives by attending the Seattle Design Festival.
Summer in Seattle is finally starting to heat up and we want to give you the best tools to keep your home cool. You don't have to sacrifice design for functionality with these tips. Here are our favorite ways to beat the heat while still having that aesthetic appeal.
Cool off your yard with some backyard shade. Whether you create that shade naturally by planting trees or by using shade sails, adding a little bit of shade can cool down the area by 15 degrees.
Ceiling fans don't actually lower the temperature of a room, but they make you feel more comfortable. While moving the air, ceiling fans have taken on contemporary shapes that can seem more like a piece of art and a design element.
The lighter the color, the more heat will be reflected. Having a light colored roof will help reduce the heating of your home, ultimately lowering utility costs.
Instead of cooking inside your home, try cooking outside. Bring out the grill for summer dinners to escape the kitchen heat. Patio spaces are the perfect places to cook and spend time with the family.
Cool off your yard with some backyard shade. Whether you create that shade naturally by planting trees or by using shade sails, adding a little bit of shade can cool down the area by 15 degrees.
Ceiling fans don't actually lower the temperature of a room, but they make you feel more comfortable. While moving the air, ceiling fans have taken on contemporary shapes that can seem more like a piece of art and a design element.
The lighter the color, the more heat will be reflected. Having a light colored roof will help reduce the heating of your home, ultimately lowering utility costs.
Instead of cooking inside your home, try cooking outside. Bring out the grill for summer dinners to escape the kitchen heat. Patio spaces are the perfect places to cook and spend time with the family.
Enjoy your last bit of summer and stay cool!
One of the first deliverables (and arguably one of the most important) of any design project is a mood board. This collection of inspiration images serves as a visual road map throughout the design process, allowing you and your designer to create a cohesive look & feel (concept) for your space. Inspiration images can be as abstract and seemingly unrelated to architecture as fashion, artwork, food or travel photography. Sometimes, the more unrelated the better as it allows for more creativity to design a truly unique and personalized space. Below are a few inspiration images from a New England concept paired with ideas for how to relate them back to the final design.
To start, the color palette can be derived from one main inspiration image with the look & feel you are going for. Here, it is beachy, light, casual and clean, with lots of blues and soft neutrals.
For example, here we took the weathered wood look from a boat deck and used that as inspiration for the flooring.
Here the color & texture of nautical rope can appear in a chunky knitted throw.
The bathroom fixture on the right was inspired by nautical equipment, both in the design and finish.
The stripes on these boat covers can be referenced through the color and pattern of fabric choices.