Top Interior Designers: Fresh Four

A Medina kitchen got a French chateau makeover, with useful touches
like exterior fabric that doesn't stain in the kitchen nook, colors
reflecting the lake outside, lavastone countertops imported from France
and a mosaic to match.

Amely Wurmbrand started her Seattle-based firm, Amely Wurmbrand Designs (206.542.0447; amelydesigns.com) in 1999, where she and two other designers createinteriors that artfully combine the creative and the practical. For one recent project, Wurmbrand adopted a subdued color palette, pulling in the colors of nearby Lake Washington, and materials that were chic yet durable in order to match the taste and realities of a family with growing kids. Expert Advice: For those of you who are either do-it-yourself fanatics, or just don’t have the time or money to work closely with an interior designer, check out Wurmbrand’s sister company calladesigner.com launched last October, which offers quick, pay-by-the-minute help on projects based on your e-mailed photos.

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Northwest Design Award winner, this living room is simple
and classic, echoing Van Biene’s signature style
This bedroom required a light and airy traditional design
and was updated with new lighting fixtures, plush fabric window
treatments and a trendy mirror

Holly Van Biene, who launched Holly Van Biene Interiors (2000 124th Ave NE, Suite B-102, Bellevue; 425.646.9009; hvbinteriors.com) in 1995, credits iconic Northwest designer Jean Jongeward as one of the greatest influences on her own design sensibility, which stresses timeless simplicity over fleeting trends. One recent interior interpretation, which earned her a first place at the 2007 Northwest Design Awards, was a living room made warm and inviting with just the right mix of rich hues and materials, including a classic gold leaf table and a plush butterscotch velvet sofa. Expert Advice: Interior designers often do not get brought into a project until the final stages, but Van Biene’s advice is to bring the designer in early with the architect or builder so there is a working floor plan for the furniture. “Too many times we’ve walked into a million dollar home and there is no place for a dresser,” she says

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The Parc condos in Belltown are a chic yet serene locale to come
home to, with 17-feet high sandstone water wall, wood veneer accent
walls and a standout green glass concierge desk

Robin Chell of Robin Chell Design (3417 NW 68th St., Seattle; 206.760.0849; robinchelldesign.com), who has been designing for 18 years, often looks to Japan for inspiration from its Wabi-Sabi aesthetic of seeing the beauty in imperfection. Her warm, modern style often incorporates pieces from local craftspeople, such as Meyer Wells, known for transforming reclaimed urban trees into sleek modern furniture. For a recently completed kitchen nook, Chell and her team of two other designers worked with Seattle’s Kerf Design to create a space-smart mid-century modern table and cabinetry that fit perfectly with a baby blue booth. Expert Advice: Chell encourages clients to be realistic about the amount of time their project will take, and to make sure their designer has a good system for accounting for time spent. “People see these design shows on TV and they think you just snap your fingers and wave your wand and it happens,” says Chell. Start out by clearly identifying goals, budget and style and have an open mind when exploring options.

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A bold, earthy palette and a cool metallic sheen give personality to a
Magnolia powder room remodel.

Principal of MKID (2312 Magnolia Blvd W, Seattle; 206.283.1715; melissakinteriordesign.com), Melissa Klebanoff has been bringing her knowledge of space, texture and finishes to clients for more than 20 years. “I find interior design to be the perfect combo of art, architecture and business,” says Klebanoff, whose style leans toward classic architecture and East Coast and European influences. Her take on a teenage girls bedroom earned her first place honors at this year’s Northwest Design Awards. Designing for a couple of growing girls with different tastes was a challenge, says Klebanoff, but her mix of ageless design with practical elements, such as side-by-side bunks, resulted in more open space and a sense of much-needed privacy. Expert Advice: Find a designer you connect with on an emotional level even more than on taste, says Klebanoff. “Be careful about choosing someone who is dogmatic or unable to listen to you and just go with your gut—don’t just go with them because they have a big name, make sure you get along with them.”