Domestic Goddess

Fashion in Seattle. Oh dear, oh dear, what does that mean exactly? For summer that could be beige strappy sandals paired with a brown corduroy coat. (Yes, Missy, you're busted. I spotted you tripping along the sidewalk outside Nordy's in your all-weather getup.) But we are not completely at fault, darlings. Blame it on the weather. Yes, that's it. Sunny one minute, blustery the next. That's why the flannel shirt served us so well in our fashion evolutionary history. (So smart of us to make it de rigeur for the rest of the world! But please do refer to Ms. Sitt's study of style and the great Northwesterner found elsewhere among these pages.) Your goddess, meanwhile, not very long ago at all traveled hither and yon (just hither, really; it was a quick trip) to the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in NYC. Here is what she found to be upmarket, fashion forward, hip, trendy, stylish, classic, daring, couture, risqué, alluring and rich.

Haute couture underfoot

Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood, Lucinda Chambers, Diane von Furstenberg, Allegra Hicks. No, darlings, do not look in your closet for pieces by these fashionistas. Look to your toes. And beyond. On the floor. The aforementioned are part of the Rug Company's stable of fashion designers who are putting high design underfoot. It's a plush job. The goal, says the company, is to "re-invigorate the role of the rug in the modern home." Okey doke. But a trip through the Designer Collection is a blast.

Let us begin with a few of Ms. Westwood's contributions: "Rubbish," which is everything the name implies, woven in extra-fine aubusson flatweave wool ($4,995 for the 9 x 6); "VW Flag," the classic Westwood Union Jack in all its soiled, tattered glory ($3,450 for the 8 x 4); and "Tartan," her eternal favorite print ($1,775 for the 8 x 5). It's wonderful to see Ms. Westwood still thumbing her nose at the "establishment," this time in fine wools and tiny knots.

Ms. Von Furstenberg offers her classic animal prints for the floor, and Mr. Smith has fun both contemporary and traditional among his offerings.

Stores are located in London, New York and Los Angeles. Orders can be placed by phone and products can be seen online at www.therugcompany.info.

Missoni at home

Next we visit the Milan design house of Missoni; worn by Demi Moore, Cameron Diaz, Sharon Stone, Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie, Debra Messing and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. Missoni prints are practically electrically charged they vibrate with so much color and energy. The classic zigzag pattern goes back decades. One could never be a wallflower in a Missoni. And neither could one's home. That high-powered, high-design pop can be added to any room with sheets, bedspreads, rugs, tableware, fabrics, pillows, ottomans and more. Exhibits A and B shown here are the contemporary-jungle Heidi bedspread and the spotted, multicolored short kimono Hisis. Prices vary, but the Heidi bedspread is $840 for the queen size. Angela Missoni is the force behind the label now, and she has been expanding the company's fabrics and cuts. Pieces can be found at Diva, 1300 Western Ave., Seattle, 206-287-9992. Diva can be found online at www.divafurniture.com. Find Missoni at www.missonihome.com.

Semi-precious walls

It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that bling. So get some. And put it on the wall. Danish wallpaper company Vescom has just released a line of paper that pops right off the wall with embedded Swarovski crystals. Dinner parties will take on new glamour among the glitter. There are two patterns so far, a large polka dot called Mera at $92 per linear yard; and Limia, a rose pattern for $95 per linear yard. Rolls are 54 inches wide and each pattern comes in three color waves; light cream, taupe and bronze. The paper is distributed by Wolf-Gordon in the United States and is usually sold only to the trade, but Your Goddess has inside connections, and you can call 1-800-347-0550 for samples and information.

Fashion designs

Angela Adams is a designer at, and with, heart. A painter who turned to hand-tufted rugs as an alternative medium for her growing design repertoire, there soon came glassware, paper goods, bedding, handbags, belts and luggage — the ever-so-tasteful lines of home fashion and high fashion mixing all along the way. Her dynamic rugs are known for their sense of contemporary timelessness, simplicity and balance. Most likely inspired by growing up among the remote and harsh natural beauty on an island off the coast of Maine.

Adams is always looking to put her artistic and organic stamp on new items. The Studio Rug line is an affordable alternative to her custom rugs, and a new line uses stainable fabrics made with 100 percent post-industrial recycled fibers. Expanding beyond style for the home and into fashion, a collection of handbags was introduced in 2003.

Locally, many fine boutiques carry Angela Adams items. Design Within Reach, 1918 First Ave., or in Kirkland at 126 Central Way, carries pieces from her wool-rug line. Also, Velocity Art and Design, 2118 Second Ave., has glassware and the Studio Rug line. Find a list of local boutiques and more about Adams geometric and nature-based designs at www.angelaadams.com.

Utility meets art right on the door at SpectraDécor. The Seattle company crafts contemporary cabinet, appliance and door hardware and accessories using 100 percent recycled glass made at Bedrock in Seattle. The Luminous line (well-named!) offers glass pulls in 18 rich colors paired with satin lead-free pewter bases in sleek contemporary forms. Beach pebble, recycled glass and pewter, are more free form, like stones. Fusion features environmentally-friendly inlays of resin, Marmoleum and cork. The Bridge door pulls are ultra sleek in stainless and recycled glass. If none of those sounds just right, there's always custom. And debuting in New York — the new HUE tile and coordinating HUE hardware. The glass wallcovering was designed for backsplashes for kitchen and bath, shower and steam-bath applications and as "glass wallpaper" for interior walls. Leilani Norman-Young, founder of SpectraDécor, is a former jewelry artist and metal smith. It shows: the knobs and pulls are jewels for doors. Prices range from $24 to about $165 per item. Check them out at online www.spectradecor.com by calling 1-800-550-1986.

Outstanding in their field

What to do with your bloomers? Pick, add water and arrange just so in the Grass Vase from the Museum of Modern Art. Originally conceived for an exhibit at the Danish Design Centre by the Danish design duo Claydies in 2004, these hand-modeled glazed stoneware vases pleasingly and teasingly mimic the outdoors. Green, shiny ceramic blades of grass surround the cylinder for a natural and whimsical setting to showcase your favorite flowers. Small vases cost $98; the large are $198. Check them out at www.momastore.org, click on "home accessories.

On the bench

It's sculpture. It's a seat. It's both. Either way, ice-cream cones come to mind. B&B Italia continues its quest for high design all the time with the Single- or Double-dip Bench. The silver monolith designed by Chris Howker is made of stainless steel with a circular sand-blasted finish. Making one involves sculpting terms such as milling and bending and welding. Sleek and inviting, it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The Single Dip is $8,000 and the Double $8,400. They are available at Diva, 1300 Western Ave., Seattle, 206-287-9992. See them at www.bebitalia.it. Diva can be found online at www.divafurniture.com.

Stay tuned, home-front fashionistas, for part deux of glamorous goodies the Goddess bagged at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, coming to the Fall Home Design issue Oct. 8. Ciao, baby.

Rebecca Teagarden is assistant editor of Pacific Northwest magazine.