Top Interior Designers: Fresh Four
Interior Designers With a Talent for Crisp, Clean Looks
By Seattle Mag December 31, 1969
Category: NW Home Articles
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.
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
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 h