Seattle native Emily Lauderback, founder of interior design and remodeling firm Color in Space, started her company with a mission to bring design know-how, tools and proper color palettes to her clients. 

Lauderback says color is the thread that connects everything in a space. “And because colors are light reflected back to us, they have an energy and frequency that either can or cannot work together. It’s actually much more about physics than it is about what simply ‘looks good’ together.”

Though color is often the last part of the equation, it influences the large architectural finishes such as cabinetry, flooring, tile, etc. right from the beginning. In addition to the hard architectural finishes and paint colors, window treatments and rugs are things Lauderback frequently shops for.

So where exactly does this color and design expert find the goods she includes in her designs? Lauderback reveals a few of her favorite places to shop for home renovation projects in and around Seattle.

Seattle Tile Co.

Ballard/Crown Hill Neighborhood

“I discovered Seattle Tile back in 1996 when we had to remodel our bathroom in our first house due to water damage,” she says. “I have learned most of what I know about tile setting and design from them, and they provide exceptional service. They have an incredible selection, so whether we’re looking for natural stone, ceramic, porcelain, or glass, they always have numerous options from which to choose.”

Daly’s Paint & Decorating

Stone Way between Fremont and Wallingford

“It has a wonderful little design center in the store with wallpaper and window treatments all in one place. My preferred line of paint that it carries is C2. I love that C2 understands the necessity of isolated color swatches for accurate color selection, and they have an exquisite palette. If you’re remodeling an older home and doing repair work, you can to nail the color formula for different woods here. And if you have a little extra in your budget to splurge on a special paint, opt for Fine Paints of Europe.”

Seattle Interiors

Stone Way between Fremont and Wallingford

“This has a beautiful and well-lit showroom stocked with plumbing fixtures, hardware, bathroom light fixtures, vanities and medicine cabinets. Of course it can get busy, so calling ahead to make an appointment can’t hurt. Many of my clients have loved its stone and glass knobs, which seem to act as the earrings or a final touch in a new kitchen.”

Vogel’s Carpet

Aurora Avenue N. between Green Lake & Greenwood

“Vogel’s Carpet is a second-generation, family-owned business and while I primarily rely on it for carpet, it carries all kinds of other flooring and hard surface products, too.”

Turabi Rug Gallery

Pioneer Square, 1st Avenue S.

“When I purchased my very first rug from Turabi [Turabi Topal, the founder of Turabi Rug] back in 1995, he was working on his store in the Greenwood neighborhood. We received such an incredible education about the true art and craft of rug making, that I will never trust anyone else when it comes to authentic, imported rugs. While he closed the Greenwood store a few years ago, the location in Pioneer Square is still fairly convenient and easy to get to.”

“When I bring clients to Turabi,  we are taken on a journey through stacks of rugs, while we just stand back and take it in. Then we’ll bring any rugs we are considering to the client’s home, so we can see and feel it in the space. Turabi also does impeccable restoration and cleaning. He is well connected internationally and can source and find unique pieces to match existing ones or for unique spaces.”

Designs by Mara

Lynnwood

“When Soft Coverings on Queen Anne closed years ago, I was heartbroken. Eventually, I found Mara of Designs By Mara located in Lynnwood. She has a well organized showroom with oodles of fabric books. Mara herself is an incredible resource, too. I can show her the palette with which we are working and describe what I am looking for, and off the top of her head, she can typically point me to fabric books that will have multiple options for what I am seeking. She also has a work room and installer for any type of custom window treatment and will ensure that the hardware is the perfect solution for the installation. Mara will also come out and provide design consultation and is a wealth of information to ensure that designs work from a function perspective. This is definitely a store I love visiting for my projects.”