Master Works by Northwest Artists at the Woodside/Braseth Gallery

Paul Horiuchi

Cascades 72" x 79" Collage on Canvas Over Board 19633

Paul Horiuchi.

Duwamish in the Fall 16" x 20" Gouache on paper c.1980's

Margaret Tomkins

Random Season 78" x 113" Oil on Linen 1963

Margaret Tomkins

Autumn 52" x 72" Oil on Canvas 1963

Morris Graves

Summer Still Life 31"" x 31" Oil on Canvas 1963

Earlier this week, Claire and I took the afternoon off and spent a small part of our day browsing the "Master Works by Northwest Artists" exhibit at Woodside/Braseth Gallery on Ninth Avenue. Featuring the most influential and renowned artists of our region, the exhibit features works dating back from the 1940's until the present.  It was so exciting to see all the work of artists not only influential in the Northwest, but around the world, all in one place. I highly recommend checking it out, the exhibit runs until March 24th at the Woodside/Braseth Gallery.

I am currently helping to design the nursery of my best (and very pregnant) friend. While searching around the web for some much needed inspiration this week, I have truly descended upon the good, the bad, and the ugly in nursery decor. After seeing photo upon photo, I can't help but think, why can't a room for a little one be just as sophisticated as the rest of the house? Choosing pieces that can grow with the child, or even be moved elsewhere in the house later on, ensure a better investment in the items you choose for the room. Mixing these pieces in with items "high on the cuteness factor" will certainly add up to a nursery to-die-for.

Joni of  the blog Lay Baby Lay gets it right! And see that fabulous rug on the bottom right? Why, it's the Sarasa Rug from Company C! (sold at CAPERS of course)

Another pick from Lay Baby Lay. We love this black and white theme! The Dash and Albert rug, the graphic pillow, and the burlap bags really mix things up. What do I love most about the room though? That great wing chair. It's great to have a comfy place to sit in a nursery while your baby is still young, and it can easily be pulled into another room in the following years.  

So here is where I am in the design process with my friend's nursery. As you can see, I have so much to do! We are starting with the basics, painting the walls navy blue and the trim white. The chair I am using is the England Chair from Cisco Brothers. I love this chair, not only is it super comfortable and classic, but the easy wash slipcover makes it perfect for handling messes and spills! The rug is a great nautical find from Dash and Albert. It is indoor/outdoor, so it has a great wash-ability factor! I will keep you posted on what else I choose, so many decisions to be made!

Les Eclaireuses français viennent de câpres {The French Girl Scouts are coming to CAPERS}

Aren't Girl Scout cookies the best? We love them! To celebrate 100 years of Girl Scouting (1912-2012), the lovely young gals of the Junior Girl Scout troop from the French American School of Puget Sound will be here on Sunday afternoon. They will be serving tea and Trefoils (the very first Girl Scout cookie), as well as selling their fabulous cookies!

        Where: CAPERS

When: One to Three p.m. Sunday March 11th

Rendez-vous dimanche!

 The founder of Girl Scouts Juliette Gordon Low pins a badge on a young Girl Scout

In the store: mixed media artist Susan Mulligan

Calliope and Red Current

Mixed Media, beeswax on panel

Copper with Branded Border

Mixed Media, beeswax on panel

Nishikigoi

Mixed Media, beesax on panel

Susan Mulligan

Isn't she great? This month is all about Susan Mulligan and her beautiful mixed media encaustic works. Born in Colorado and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Susan''s creative mix of oil paint, beeswax and found objects creates a dimensional work of art unlike any other.

Thursday night we will be open until nine for the West Seattle Art Walk. Stop by for drinks, apps, and to meet Susan!

All photos via Susan Mulligan

A CAPERS guide to a day in West Seattle

So you are planning on spending a day in West Seattle? Great! There is so much to do and see (and eat!), we promise you won't regret it! Here is a little guide to some (more to come in the following weeks) of our favorite places to shop, eat, and explore around the neighborhood. Have fun!

P.S. We also here a rumor that there is also a great little home store called CAPERS on California Avenue... 

 You CAN'T visit West Seattle without stopping by Bakery Nouveau .From Quiche Lorraine to the Twice Baked Almond Croissant, everything they make is AMAZING!

The twice baked almond croissant from Bakery Nouveau

If you haven't already eaten enough at the bakery, then you must stop by Jak's Grill and get The Jak Burger. A half pound of seasoned beef topped with a pile of blue cheese , salty bacon, and tangy roasted red-pepper mayo. We highly recommend it.

Now that you are completely stuffed, it is time for a little shopping. If you are in the market for some new shoes (I mean, who isn't) your next stop should be Clementine on California Avenue. From brands like Miz Mooz to Swedish Hasbeens, they have every shoe a girl could ever dream of.

The beautiful ladies of Clementine.

See you soon!



Advanced Style

 Lady Francesca Todd with a lion that attacked her Kenya in 1965

 

Ari Seth Cohen (the real looker in the last photo) a former uber fashionable Seattleite, is now roaming the streets of his new neighborhood of New York capturing the creative style of the older set and filing all of his best finds onto his blog Advanced Style. I love this quote from him, it really sums up his passion for his love of elders:

"My name is Ari Seth Cohen. I roam the streets of New York looking for the most stylish and creative older folks. Respect your elders and let these ladies and gents teach you a thing or two about living life to the fullest. Advanced Style offers proof from the wise and silver-haired set that personal style advances with age".

See ladies, fashion isn't just for the young at heart, everyone should enjoy it! Big thanks to Ari for reminding us of that.

THE TUFTED OTTOMAN IS BACK!

Isn't this ottoman by LEE Industries the best? We love how each room is so different, yet the ottoman seems to work great in every space. In fact, one of our clients just ordered it in a great buttery leather, which matches perfectly with her Cisco Brothers Cosmo sectional. We are very jealous!

We hope everyone has a great weekend here in West Seattle. Spring has sprung in the store and we can't wait to share all of our amazing goods with you!

Photos via Coco Kelley, LeSueur Interiors, The Enchanted Home, Mend,  and SuiteNY