Fave Things: Lights, Weaves, Chairs & More

Seven cool looks for your home, including: Custom-designed carpet, hand-made paper lights, Fuez countertops, hand-painted tiles, beguiling chairs, antiquie-inspired mirrors and handcrafted wardrobes



Custom Weaves
Years ago, investing in a custom-designed carpet could be a risky business. Colors were difficult to match and designs sometimes got lost in translation. Today, Driscoll Robbins Fine Carpets (1002 Western Ave., Seattle; 206.292.1115) helps take the guesswork out of custom creations by encouraging customers to bring in photographs or pieces of artwork to be duplicated in hand-made carpet form (prices start at $40 per square foot), in their choices of materials, including wool, silk and hemp. If a client has any design doubts? For just $100, Driscoll’s will whip up a corner sample swatch for their approval.

Lively Lights
Portland-based husband-and-wife design team Lam Quang and Kestrel Gates of HiiH (2929 NE Alberta St., Portland; 503.493.4367) really know how to light up a room. Their hand-made paper lights, such as the seaweed-inspired piece above, are organic works of art. The couple uses raw materials, such as bamboo, branches and beeswax, to craft one-of-a-kind lighting works, starting around $200, that evoke the natural world and natural life cycles.

Eco-Cool Countertops
For recycling that’s good for the earth and good design, check out the new Fuez countertops, starting at $109 per square foot, including installation, from ecohaus (4121 First Ave. S, Seattle; 206.682.7332). Fuez has a look that is similar to granite or marble, but is made from low-carbon cement and recycled materials, such as glass picked up from curbside Seattle residences. The Portland-produced product is easy to maintain with a stain-, scratch- and heat-resistant surface.

Artsy Tiles
Support local artists, and ensure an eye-catching design element, by snagging some hand-painted tiles from Art Tile Co. (8511 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle; 206.523.3032) for your next tile project. Pieces can be custom designed or picked out of the existing artists’ collection. If you feel like tackling your own masterpiece, sign up for Art Tile’s two-hour introductory mosaic class ($35).

Chair Flair
Stylishly banish any winter-weather blues by enjoying your cup of hot cocoa and book-of-the-moment in the new Swirl Rattan Chair ($249) from Dania (locations in Kirkland, Seattle and Tukwila). The chair’s beguiling rounded form and plush cotton seat cushion ensure that it’s a cocoon of coziness.

Out of the Closet
Your closet doesn’t have to be an eyesore that you need to hide, thanks to Henrybuilt’s (997 Western Ave., Seattle; 206.624.9270) new Wardrobe System. The design of the handcrafted wardrobe revolves around a central dressing area that includes everything from hanging racks, shelves and drawers to lights and mirrors. Each system can be customized by color, material and style.

Constructive Deconstruction
Sometimes an object is beautiful because of its flaws. The Reassembled Mirror ($498) from Anthropologie (11111 NE Eighth St., Bellevue; 425.451.7171; University Village, Seattle; 206.985.2101; 1509 Fifth Ave., Seattle, 206.381.5900) was formed with pieces of hand-carved wood, leaves and flourishes inspired by a French antique mirror. With its imaginative melding of classic and modern styles, even though once broken, this mirror is good luck for a home’s décor.