Dakota sofa by Oly, available at G.R. Hedges, Ste. P-361, (206) 763-4884.
Design Report
A Few of Her Favorite Things
Shopping Seattle Design Center with interior designer Graciela Rutkowski, market editor Virginia Bunker gets over the intimidation of gorgeous design and discovers the beauty around every corner. She also discovers another way to acquire the handiwork of couture fashion designers

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Seattle Design Center’s consumer event, “Eye on Design 2008,” aims to help take the mystery out of this design resource as showrooms open their doors to the public and interior designers are on hand to answer questions.

SDC marketing manager Craig Cross hopes it will familiarize people with the building and all it has to offer. “Our goal is to get people to know what’s here, what it means and how to make it work for you,” he explains. “The marketplace is changing.”

The event begins at 10 a.m. on April 19 with keynote speaker Kenneth Brown, host of HGTV’s redesign. After an orientation, guests are welcome to explore showrooms (open until 4 p.m.) and meet designers in the center’s “Studio” program. Tickets— $10 for general admission or $25 with a boxed lunch from SDC’s Wolfgang Puck restaurant—are available at the door or online.

For information on attending “Eye on Design 2008,” individual showrooms or shopping SDC with a designer, visit seattledesigncenter.com. - Stacy Kendall
I’m running late for my appointment at Seattle Design Center, but I can’t resist pausing to admire a pretty white lantern in a window display. Lacquered cast metal, with coral forms, it’s gorgeous. I make a note to follow up and hurry on my way.

Today is all about shopping with Graciela Rutkowski, award-winning interior designer and showroom proprietor at G.R. Hedges. She has agreed to give me a personal tour of the center and to share some of her favorite things. Graciela is known for elegant interiors that stand up to the demands of daily life, so I’m curious to see her list.

“Would you like a cup of coffee?” she offers as I catch my breath. Her warm smile puts me instantly at ease. I admit that I’d been a little nervous about meeting her, which makes her laugh. “You know, I have many clients who are new to working with a designer. But this should be fun—not intimidating. It’s about options in a range of prices for all kinds of budgets.”

Graciela plucks an exquisitely beaded pillow from a cream sofa and tells me about Ankasa, a manufacturer that owns the factory that does embroidery for Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera and Carolyne Roehm. “Aren’t these just beautiful? They’re like jewelry,” she says. “Maybe you can’t afford the ball gown, but for just a little bit of money you can have the pillows and totally transform a room.”

Graciela shows me some of the lines that she represents and explains how everything at Seattle Design Center can be combined or customized with fabrics, finishes, furnishings and decorative objects from the more than 1,500 different manufacturers available through the 60 showrooms. “Are you ready to take the tour?” she asks.

Our pace quickens along the corridor, and I suspect there’s something exciting ahead. Graciela leads me to the prize at Elinor & Verve: a mountain of pebbled “leather” swatch books atop a matching steamer trunk. “Do you know about Valtekz?” I don’t, but I’m eager to learn.

A line of composite fabrics that look and feel like exotic hides and luxurious skins, it’s one of Rutkowski’s absolute favorites. “We used Valtekz lime green shagreen on an Oly chair [a line she represents]. It was for a young family with kids, yet so stylish, durable—and totally kid-proof!” she enthuses.

As the tour continues, I realize that falling in love with beautiful things is all part of the design center experience—because it happens over and over again. In the showroom of Kelly Forslund, Inc., Rutkowski directs my attention to the Sutcliffe Center Table by Dessin Fournir. “I adore round dining tables,” she says.

As we leave the Plaza building and make our way to the Atrium, Rutkowski remembers something. “Oh, you have to see this,” she says, walking toward the display window at The Dixon Group, LLC. To my delight, it’s the object of my earlier affections—the white lantern! “This is from Vaughan’s new collection,” she explains. “Wouldn’t it be pretty against a dark wall in an entryway?” Naturally, I couldn’t agree more.   

Note: Products sold at most Seattle Design Center showrooms are available to the trade, and purchases must be facilitated by a licensed design professional.