Sorrento Sessions Recap: Pacific Northwest Design Now

Last week GRAY launched its five-part conversation series at Seattle’s historic, newly updated Sorrento Hotel with a panel exploring regional design. The sold-out event, presented in partnership with IDSWest, attracted more than 75 attendees who mingled in the Fireside Lounge, sipped cocktails, and listened as the panelists discussed ways in which our region’s evolving culture, industries, population, and resources have influenced the emergence of unique interiors, architecture, and products. Panelists included George Suyama, architect and cofounder of Suyama Peterson Deguchi; Jennifer Navva Milliken, curator of craft at the Bellevue Arts Museum; Richelle Nolan, managing director at Interior Architects in Portland; and North Vancouver–based furniture designer and artist Brent Comber.

Tickets for the May 5 panel, “Remix Culture, Collaboration, and Cross-Disciplinary Design,” are on sale, along with future panels on topics ranging from fashion to graphic design. Space is limited, so secure your tickets now!

GET TICKETS HERE.

The historic Sorrento Hotel opened its doors in 1909 and has been one of the city’s cultural mainstays ever since. Recently the hotel renovated its lobby-side Fireside Lounge and restaurant, The Dunbar Room.

The evening’s panelists included George Suyama, Jennifer Navva Milliken, Richelle Nolan, and Brent Comber. 

        GRAY account executive Kim Schmidt and GRAY editorial director Jaime Gillin outside the Fireside Room at the Sorrento Hotel; two stylish guests wait for the panel to begin.

Editorial director Jaime Gillin with panelists Suyama, Navva Milliken, and Nolan, GRAY editor Rachel Gallaher, panelist Comber, and GRAY Special Projects Director Stacy Kendall. 

Attendees flip through the latest copy of GRAY while sipping wine and waiting for the panel to start.

Jody Phillips, Senior Event Manager of IDSWest, chats with Jennifer Navva Milliken about regional design. 

Jared Lovejoy from Magnetic ERV talks to an Jared Meisler, the restauranteur behind the Sorrento's new Dunbar Room.

George Suyama with interior designer Christian Grevstad and showroom owner Terris Draheim.

Tamara Codor and Sterling Voss of Codor Design. 

Kathy Lilleness of Best Plumbing with account executive Kim Schmidt and GRAY publisher and founder Shawn Williams with a design enthusiast. 

Jaime Gillin with Darin Montgomery of Urbancase. 

Gillin leading the panel discussion in the newly restored and redecorated Fireside Lounge. 

Images Courtesy of Belathée Photography.

Party Pages: Wear Wednesdays at W Seattle

Last week some of Seattle's most fashionable gathered at W Seattle for their Wear Wednesdays spring fashion trend event. Editors from GRAY, Seattle Met, and Seattle Refined displayed their favorite trends, and what's inspiring them fashion-wise for the upcoming (hopefully warmer!) months. Drawing from local designers and boutiques, each editor had her own unique take on Spring 2015, but floral prints, the 1970s bohemian looks, and pastel accessories popped up on more than one person's radar. 

W Seattle's award-winning lounge, designed by Portland's Skylab Architecture. 

Wear Wednesdays are held in W Seattle's chic lounge. 

Amanda Zurita, Seattle Met's Style Editor and Seattle Met Bride & Groom Editor-In-Chief sneaks in some social media before the event kicks off. 

Bold patterns, pastel accessories, and a pair of amazing leather sandals were just a few of the items on display.

GRAY editor Rachel Gallaher had picks from local designers Rachel Ravitch and Ampersand As Apostrophe, as well as shoes from Totokaelo.

Some classic stripes and a little bit of leopard guarantee a stylish spring.

Rachel Gallaher with her spring picks including items from local companies Silvae, Glasswing, and Zebraclub. 

Attendees browsed clothing, sipped on happy hour cocktails, and discussed fashion. 

Bloggers Aika Yokoyama (Akia's Love Closet) and Breanne Rice (Breanne's Holistic Health) cozy up for a fashionable snapshot.

GRAY editor with Sasha Muir of Bevee Bags. 

Alyson Andrews from Seattle Refined, Rachel Gallaher of GRAY, and Amanda Zurita from Seattle Met celebrating spring fashion at Wear Wednesdays.

Images Courtesy of Melanie Biehle. 

Party Pages: WINTR Open House

Last week a large swathe of the Seattle design community gathered at WINTR, a local digital creative company in Fremont, for their summer open house. Stylish guests sipped on Hillard's beer, mingled at the tie dye station, and listened to tunes from Tilson and Deep Sea Diver. It was WINTR's party, but the vibe was decidedly summer chic.

 Brooke Baker of WINTR enjoying a Hillard's beer.

Party goers gathered in WINTR's lofty industrial office located in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood.

Bartender Jay Kuehner serving up punch.

Guests enjoyed popsicles as part of the night's tropical theme. 

Kyla Fairchild of No Depression Festival with Annie Pardo of WINTR.

Jessica Dobson, singer in Deep Sea Diver, who played later in the night.

The tie dye station out on the sidewalk.

Graphic designer Brianna Cortez and Brooke Baker of WINTR show off their finished tie dyed shirts.

A party guest hangs out with Jessica Carter of Love City Love and Andy Whitcomb of Brackish.

The night drew a very fashionable crowd.

Keisha Harris of Digital Kitchen

More stylish party goers including Taylor Winters.

Artfully planted pots in the WINTR office.

Popsicles....need we say more?

Natalie Hyde, interior designer at GGLO, and her boyfriend Adam Merkl of HIlliard's.

Catleah Cunanan of Savory Pacific, GRAY editor Rachel Gallaher, and Jenny Hudak Klimenkoff of {far4} Events.

Rapper Tilson jumped into the loft to perform a song.

Photographer Charlie Schuck (middle) and Ben Winters of WINTR.

All photos taken by Genevieve Pierson.