What a Long, Strange Trip It Has Been

This could be a lot of things: A wistful, nostalgic post about the evolution of the store over the years. A depressed, pitiful post about the ending of things. A "remember when" post about all the exciting (and not-so-exciting) things that have happened since we opened our doors.

But it's not. Instead it is a time to look back and see that the meandering path led us to the exact place we wanted to be from the beginning, without even knowing it. While perhaps naive, I like to think this is how most of life works...it just takes some time to see it.

Enough with the cryptic philosophizing -- after four years, we are closing our retail storefront to focus on our interior design business. And we couldn't be more excited! The world of retail has been a wild ride and has opened doors to so many people, places, and things we would never have otherwise known, and for that I will be eternally grateful.

But most of all, it has helped to build a flourishing design business, a passion for which has always been the underlying driver of the storefront. And it has connected us with hundreds (thousands?) of people who would become customers and clients--even friends--and that has been the most rewarding part of the entire journey. Since opening four years ago, the city has become a different place to me, filled with familiar faces everywhere I go. What an amazing gift. Thank you for being a part of that, and for sticking with us as life continued to get crazier with more kids, new locations, different business strategies, and more.

We aren't going far -- just to a second-floor spot down the street (1205 East Pike Street, to be exact) where we will have a by-appointment design office that will house all of our wonderful fabrics, wallpaper, product catalogs, and more... We hope you'll continue to follow along on our endeavors; heck, maybe now I'll *finally* have time to blog again!

The good news? We have to clear the decks here before our big move in a few weeks, and there are still some goodies to be had. All remaining inventory (not including already sold pieces --duh, right? -- and artwork) is 50% off.

Stop by Thursday - Saturday from 10:30 - 2:30 to scoop up some bargains and say hello...we would love to see you. Plus we really don't want to move any more stuff.

Thanks for hanging in there with us through thick and thin. We wouldn't be here without you.

Holiday Hours, Come Snow or High Water

Here in Seattle, the snow has thrown holiday shopping plans for a loop.

But we decided, if you're game, so are we. That's why we're planning to be open every day until Christmas, with extended hours, snow or no.

Here's the skinny:

Sunday, 12/21: 12-5

Monday, 12/22: 11-7

Tuesday, 12/23: 11-7

Wednesday, 12/24 (Christmas Eve): 11-7

Thursday, 12/25 (Christmas): CLOSED

Friday, 12/26: 11-5 (and a return to normal business hours)

Lose the cabin fever and come do some shopping! See you then.

When Black Friday Falls

Turns out it's more than a classic Steely Dan song, it's also the morose-sounding name for the shopping day after Thanksgiving. (We think Black Friday should fire their branding consultant, BTW...)

With the day quickly approaching, we thought we'd update you on our holiday hours. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 28, we will be open from 11-7, Wednesday through Saturday; Sundays we remain open from 12-5. We'll keep up these extended shopping hours through the end of the year, in the hope that it will help to make the season bright.

To further ease your holiday pain, we are also happy to offer free holiday gift wrap for all purchases...except for perhaps the Porter's Chair.

Additionally, you, gentle reader, are cordially invited to our first-ever (yes, we weren't open last year but just go with it) after-hours holiday shopping extravaganza! Saturday, December 6, from 6 - 9 p.m., we are hosting an invitation-only shopping event featuring warm cocktails, festive treats, and an even more festive 10% discount on all purchases. Consider yourself invited!

Stop by to snatch up a big batch of just-arrived gift items for all those hard-to-shop-for folks on your list....and maybe pick up a little something for yourself, too. (You deserve it. You work hard.)

Hope to see you then!