Editor's Letter
What Defines Design?
In this issue of Seattle Homes & Lifestyles, we again salute the Seattle Design 100: People, Places and Things That Define Seattle Design. We also add another 10 names to the mix, as we did in February 2007—and as we intend to do every year.

In the two-plus years since we first conceived the Seattle Design 100: People, Places and Things That Define Seattle Design, the list's definition has evolved—as has design in our city. In 2005, it seemed a daunting task to be faced with hundreds of suggestions and only 100 spots. Now we find that we still have hundreds of suggestions from among the city’s plethora of wonderful designers, architects, artists, craftspeople, companies and individuals—but only 10 spots to fill each year. 

So how do we choose? There’s no application process (for which we apologize to the folks who sometimes ask, “How can I get on your list?”). Rather, names are thrown into the hat by the 100-plus people and organizations already on the list as well as by magazine staff and friends. We put a certain weight on those nominated by prior honorees, who have their fingers on the city’s design pulse.

But we also emphasize the word “define.” We look for candidates who impact and inspire design, win awards, educate protégés, create work that is emulated elsewhere and foster a sense of community among design professionals.

Because the list has grown each year, we’ve renamed it the “Seattle Design 100+.” We hope you’ll read our profiles of the “New 10” selected for 2008.

In keeping with our theme for this issue, we feature projects and opinions of people named on the list in the past. Thus, the beautiful home featured in this issue was designed by Sullivan Conard Architects, and its landscape by Richard Haag. The garden in this issue is the artistry of The Berger Partnership and the restaurants in our Design Report are Crush and Canlis (redesigned in 2005 by Doug Rasar).

We’d also love to hear your suggestions for names that should be on the list. Whether you think design in Seattle is most impacted by a specific thing, place or person, tell us about it and why we should consider it for our 2009 list.

GISELLE SMITH, Editor
gisellesmith@seattlehomesmag.com