Artsy decor stores flourish in Ballard

For home decor stores, Ballard is the place to be.

And the tree-lined streets of Historic Ballard in particular are even hotter, as evidenced by two more shops opening in just the past month.

Once the center of Seattle's blue-collar fishing industry, Ballard is now known for its small, locally owned boutiques and galleries, and its "anti-Wal-Mart" attitude.

Along Ballard Avenue Northwest and its sidestreets — called Historic Ballard — many shop owners share a similar vision: to support local artists, protect the environment and ensure fair trade.

We recently stopped in at a few home stores in the growing Historic Ballard area for an update.

This evening — and on the second Saturday of each month — check out the festive Second Saturday Artwalk along Northwest Market Street and Ballard Avenue Northwest and other downtown Ballard streets, where many shops and galleries stay open until 9 p.m. to showcase artists.

If you go on a Sunday, one section of Ballard Avenue Northwest is blocked off for the bustling pedestrian-only farmers market. Many shops, however, stay open Wednesdays through Sundays but are closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

The newest kids on the Historic Ballard block are Venue, which opened a week ago, and Space Oddity, which opened last month.

Venue

5408 22nd Ave. N.W., 206-789-3335

An airy art boutique and work studio space, the hip Venue hopes to create a new concept in shopping: Buy directly from local artists, some of whom will be working in the small studios onsite. A "design bar" will help shoppers request custom-made pieces from the artists themselves.

Venue owner and handbag designer Diane Macrae has so far leased two of the eight studios in the 2,300-square-foot space and plans to add more art to the 17 artists' pottery, jewelry, paintings and other works on display.

Prices for art pieces range from $5 hand-made cards to a $785 mosaic bowling-ball pin by Julie Charles tiled with such American icons as IHOP and Las Vegas.

Other works include:

• Barbara Dunshee's whimsical lidded vessels and bud vases for $110 to $200.

• Michelle Fokos' colorful fused glass plates and coasters starting at $14.

• Macrae's hand-sewn handbags, pop-up wallets and backpacks ranging from $9 to $150.

• Julie Sloan's soft fleece baby blankets, burp cloths and hooded bath towels starting at $24.

Venue, which Macrae designed herself, boasts high ceilings, lots of windows, aqua blue and sage green walls, and concrete-poured floors.

"Part of the thrill is to shop in a place where artists are making things right there and you can hear the sounds and smell the smells," she said.

Venue will be part of this evening's Second Saturday Artwalk, and Macrae says all are welcome at Venue's "big celebration party."

Space Oddity

5318 22nd Ave. N.W., 206-331-8054

Having recently moved from the "non-neighborhood" of Elliott Avenue on Lower Queen Anne to the charming bustle of Ballard, Space Oddity owner Todd Werny says he now feels at home, along with his dog, Tiki, who usually can be found lounging on the couches (which she's forbidden to do).

"Ballard is the new Belltown," he said. "It's a beautiful neighborhood, and it's still old school. Rent is cheap enough where shop owners can experiment a little and push the edge of what people want."

His vintage furniture store currently boasts such finds as:

• A 9-foot Danish teak dining table for $450.

• A flashy 1950s black and white bar set for $245.

• A chair by Swedish designer Bruno Matheson for $750.

• A fun 1960s orange-flower Formica table for $150.

Werny spends many mornings scouring estate sales, thrift stores and auctions for vintage furniture and accessories. He says he tries to avoid designer names and instead goes for interesting shapes and colors.

"This is working people's vintage — unique and affordable," he says.

Enlighten

5424 Ballard Ave. N.W., Suite 101, 206-706-0910

This gallery-like space sells furniture, accessories and paper goods that are handmade from recycled or sustainable wood, much of it from Thailand, said co-owner Kalan Intawong.

Intawong designs and assembles the store's popular bamboo lights. On a recent visit, a small sunrise lamp cost $50, and a floor lamp with a string globe light was $165.

Intawong's business, which opened last year, helps his family and friends as well as women's cooperatives from his hometown of Chiang Rai, Thailand.

They make such items as:

• Chopsticks from recycled wood for $3 a pair.

• Orchid-shaped tea lights for $12 for a pack of nine.

• Window mirrors from reclaimed teak for $350.

• Four-piece bamboo living-room sets for $2,000.

Intawong said he wants customers "to know what Thai people can do."

Collective

5323 Ballard Ave. N.W., 206-782-1900

Down the street, Collective's sprawling 5,500-square-foot showroom is filled with a mishmash of modern vintage pieces, new art and furniture, and found objects.

Prices vary widely — vintage vases start at $20 up to a new dragonfly metal gate for $5,800.

Co-owner Gail Miller, who opened Collective last year, selects some of the store's antiques from about 10 dealers in the area.

On a recent day, other finds included:

• A cast-iron pot for $49.

• An orange mid-century fireplace for $599.

• A $1,000 crib made of sustainable wood.

• A steel dresser created by a local artist for $1,495.

Part of the mission of the store is to "honor these artisans," Miller said.

Lola, Lola Furnishings

5208 Ballard Ave. N.W., 206-783-1890

Shelly Scribante founded Lola, Lola Furnishings two years ago to sell new and vintage home furnishings.

Prices vary from $1.25 for soaps to $375 for a new bent-wood table. Vintage items included a 1953 Filipino Golf Club cocktail shaker for $24 and etched sherry glasses for $42 for a set of seven.

Greener Lifestyles

5317 Ballard Ave. N.W., 206-545-4405

This unique store sells sustainable furniture, from lamps and flooring to organic bedding and gifts.

A palm wax candle costs $8, while a salvaged wood screen by a local artist is $3,400.

Other items included:

• Wooden apples crafted by a women's cooperative in Mexico for $25 each.

• Rubber bags made by aborigines in the Amazon for $12 to $156.

• A wicker meditation chair for $288.

Alicia Silva founded the store with two friends in 2003 with the belief that "everything has to be green and respectful of nature," she said.

Camelion Design

5330 Ballard Ave. N.W., 206-783-7125

Ballard resident Nicole Vandermeulen was among the first of the current shop owners along Ballard Avenue Northwest, opening Camelion Design in 1997.

The cheerful store sells custom sofas, bedding and furniture, along with gifts and accessories.

Shoppers can come in with snapshots for free design consultations as they pick out a custom rug or furniture.

Prices vary from a $2 wish token to a sectional with a chaise upholstered in goose down for $3,592.

Other great finds:

• A Victorian mini chandelier for $138.

• A black-tile mosaic mirror for $245.

• A contemporary lamp lined with real cowhide for $398.

"I like to carry things that have a bit of a sense of humor and a sense of whimsy," Vandermeulen said.

Colleen McBrinn, digs editor: 206-515-5655 or cmcbrinn@seattletimes.com