Summer Open Studio
We are excited to announce that our Bainbridge Island studio will be open to the public August 11-13, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, as part of the Bainbridge Island Working Studios tour.
This will be the first time that we are opening up our studio since moving into our new space in late 2020 and installing our robotic milling arm. We will have some furniture and rugs on display as well as a few table top items available for purchase. We will also have material samples and parts for anyone interested in learning more about our process.
As a studio, we are often asked what it is like to live and work outside of a major design center. We don’t always know how to answer, as living here was a choice that we made first and then we built our business around us. We have to guess that it has probably made our growth slower compared to colleagues who live and work in cities with more robust design communities like New York or Los Angeles.
That said, we feel grateful to our younger selves for having this vision and for figuring out how to make it come together so that we could root ourselves in the place that we love most. It feels especially important now in this often awkward middle-aged period of life as we raise our children with the support of our families around us.
As most of our clients are architects and interior designers based outside of the Pacific Northwest in larger design-centered cities, opening up our studio is part of an effort to connect more regionally. We know that working more locally would reduce our environmental footprint, keep more resources in our region and make work more meaningful for us as people who are deeply committed to this community.
For folks planning to sail out to the island from Seattle or beyond, we put together a list of some of our favorite Bainbridge spots to check out so that you can make the most of your trip:
First off, we suggest taking a moment to visit the 1908 schoolhouse near the ferry which houses the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum to learn about the original peoples of this land. More recent history illustrates how the lumber industry reshaped this island over time. About five miles north of our studio is the Suquamish Museum and grave of Chief Seattle if you are curious to learn more about the indigenous traditions of this “place of the clear salt water.”
If you are up for a stroll, we suggest making a reservation to visit Bloedel Reserve, the 150-acre garden and forest preserve on the north end of the island. Our favorite spot is The Japanese Guest House by Pacific Northwest architect Paul Hayden Kirk and its surrounding sand and stone gardens. The Moss Garden should also not be missed.
If you can’t get a reservation at Bloedel, we also love taking out-of-towners to the former site of the Port Blakely Mill (once the largest sawmill in the world) which is now a public park with trails that include a view of Seattle. Also nearby is a family favorite: Halls Hill Lookout & Labyrinth. If you are curious about other parks, playgrounds and trails on the island (there are many!) here is a great resource. Several have beach access, so pack a swimsuit too.
If you come over on Saturday, the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market is open 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. We also like Willowtree Market for to-go drinks and snacks. Near Willowtree is our beloved Eagle Harbor Book Co. as well as Bainbridge Arts & Crafts.
For more places to eat, in town we like Café Hitchcock for coffee, drinks and light snacks and the Harbour Public House (21 and older) for its view of the marina. Near our studio is Via Rosa for pizza and pasta. If you visit Via Rosa, you can also visit Bay Hay & Feed across the street (home of the famous Bay Hay T-shirt). The community dinners at Hey Day Farm on Thursday and Friday are fun too if you can make a reservation in advance.
Along with the Bainbridge Island Working Studios tour that we are participating in, the Bainbridge Island Studio Tour featuring more local artists and craftspeople will also be running over the same weekend. For more art-based activities, you can check out our local Bainbridge Island Art Museum.
Oh, and last but not least, yoga! There are several studios on the island, but we love Bainbridge Yoga House which is within walking distance from Grain. The Saturday morning class at 10:00 am is a community favorite - especially if you like a hot class with music.
Having a car to get around is super helpful, but if you don’t plan on bringing a car over, buses are available from the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal. On weekdays or Saturdays, you can also dial a ride from BI Ride. Bikes are available to rent at the Bike Barn at the ferry terminal. If you want to get out on the water, you can also rent kayaks or paddle boards at Eagle Harbor here.
We're excited to share this special place with you all. You can find us in the studio August 11-13, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, at 12681 Miller Road NE on Bainbridge Island.
Please reach out to us directly if you have any questions about planning your visit. If you can’t make the open studio, but would like to plan a different time to visit either in person or virtually, please connect to set something up.
Hope to see you all on the island!
- Chelsea & James