Autumn Table Settings for Fall Entertaining

Dinner parties are back, and with them comes one of my favorite activities - planning a table setting. Hosting a Friends-giving, a small dinner party, or a large Thanksgiving feast, you can mix and match table linens, dishware, flatware, and drinking glasses to get a totally unique look that will leave your guests impressed.

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Organic Modern

Sources:

Table runner: Target

Wood charger: Pottery Barn

Plate: World Market

Linen napkin: World Market

Flatware: Target (old)

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NEO-Traditionalist

Sources:

Charger: Crate and Barrel

Napkin: Pottery Barn

Flatware: Vintage Dirilyte “Empress”

Plate: Juliska

Tumbler: World Market

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Modern Farmhouse

Sources

Placemat: World Market

Flatware: Pottery Barn

White plate: Ikea

Green plate: Target

Napkin: Target (old)

Recycled glassware: World Market

Leaf: Neighbor’s tree ;)

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I had so much fun pulling together these looks, and I hope you enjoyed too, and got some ideas for your own Thanksgiving dinner table!

Moving to Bainbridge Island? Here's What to Know

Our interior design studio is on Bainbridge Island, which is just a quick ferry ride from Seattle, and known for being the inspiration for Snow Falling on Cedars as well as the fictional home of Dr. Derek Shepherd of Grey’s Anatomy. Home to Maggie and our team, Bainbridge is a unique mix of suburban and rural living, and has been attracting families looking for a community to belong to.

If that’s you, and you’re considering or planning a move to “the rock,” read carefully and take notes!

Ferry Commute

If you're living on the island and working in Seattle (or Redmond, Bellevue, and the like), you’ll be commuting via ferry. There are pro’s and con’s to this. Gone are the days of sitting on I-5 coughing on fumes - you may see a pod of Orcas instead! However, the ferries can be late, cancelled, or get filled up - especially around summer weekends. You’ll soon be able to spot the regular commuters based on their level of patience and preparation - bring a book, some snacks, and some water.

Sky-High Real Estate

Bainbridge is a hot real estate market and popular Seattle bedroom community, which translates to high prices, no contingencies, and lots of cash offers. Definitely get yourself an island agent who knows the ins and outs of the neighborhoods, the brokers, inspectors, and can get your offer to the top of the stack.

Non-Suburban Suburb

Technically a suburb of Seattle, Bainbridge Island is definitely unique in its rural feel. With homes tucked into hidden valleys down gravel private roads, only a couple local grocery options, and one fast food drive-thru, the vibe is definitely country - despite our proximity to the city. Your new home will likely be on a septic system rather than a sewer, and have a well instead of city water. You’ll learn to identify the sounds of coyotes howling at dusk, and there’s a strong possibility you will get a flock of chickens within your first year of island living. You’ll also learn that a trip to Costco, Target, or Trader Joes is a full weekend day.

It’s a Small Island After All

Island living makes for a tight-knit community, and as you get settled, you’ll find that you frequently run into friends and acquaintances at the grocery store or coffee shop. It’s also likely that your new friend knows your neighbor, or their child goes to school with your other friend’s child. It’s six-degrees-of-separation on steroids. It makes the island instantly feel like home. However, you never know who knows whom, so keep your gossiping on the down-low ;)

Kid-Friendly

Bainbridge has a reputation for high quality public schools, which attracts a lot of young families. In fact, most of our clients are newly relocated couples with young children! There are lots of great youth activities through Parks and Rec, multiple high quality playgrounds, and dedicated, supportive teachers! Be sure to check out the library’s storytime, get a membership to KiDiMu (the children’s museum), and get some good rainy weather outdoor gear, as Bainbridge kids play outside rain or shine! Hot tip: Get on daycare and/or preschool wait lists EARLY, and be prepared to supplement with a sitter or nanny-share while you wait. Many island families have au pairs, as childcare options can be limited!

Diversity

Overall, Bainbridge (as much of Western Washington) leans left politically. It is very welcoming to LGTBQIA+ families in particular. However, it is not very diverse racially or economically. It’s a very expensive place to live, which means many service industry workers live off-island. There is no mosque on the island. It’s also said that political conservatives keep a low profile. Long-term islanders often lament the growth and changes that the years have brought. The lack of diversity is definitely one of the most obvious con’s to living here.

Facebook Connections

I’ve heard this is true of many rural communities, but local Facebook groups are a must-join to get the scoop on Bainbridge life. From Bainbridge Islanders (where the snark comes out) to Parents of Bainbridge Island (POBI - great resource for all kid-related things), the locally founded Buy Nothing groups, and numerous buy/sell groups, Facebook is where you find things out. Find toddler gear, get rid of your moving boxes, or ask for recommendations. In fact, many of our current clients found us on a POBI post! If you’re still house-hunting, the group At Home on Bainbridge is the best place to find rentals and get the scoop on homes before they hit the market.

Pickleball

Perhaps you’ve heard of the “new” sport that’s sweeping the nation, but pickleball has been around for decades and was invented on Bainbridge Island! Many people have private pickleball courts at home, but there are also a number of courts at our local parks! You can take lessons through Parks and Rec, or just look up a how-to online!

Get Outta Town

When an islander refers to something being “in town” - they are referring to Winslow, aka the business hub near the ferry terminal. Winslow Way and the surrounding blocks have many of the island’s popular restaurants, bookshop, toy store, retail spots, and the Maggie Stephens Interiors studio, of course! But there are other business areas on the island less frequented by tourists. Rolling Bay is north up Highway 305 and is home to the celebrated Via Rosa restaurant, Bay Hay & Feed, and Carly’s Rolling Bay Cafe, among other small businesses. Down south, Lynwood Center has a small movie theater, yummy restaurants and bars, frozen yogurt, and shopping. Don’t miss these lower profile neighborhoods with lots of our favorite local businesses!

Bainbridge Backyard Patio Tour

Outdoor entertaining is in full swing now that summer has finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest, and I am missing the patio we designed at our old house. It was the perfect spot for hosting family dinners, wine nights with my girlfriends, and play space for the kids. We hosted many birthday parties, a baby shower, and lots of playdates back there.

Distinct areas for dining and visiting made the very large patio feel intimate. A double pergola provided shade and a spot to string lights.

We kept the original steps that had an aggregate finish, but did a modern sand finish on the actual patio. Furniture was from World Market and West Elm. We may specialize in interior design, but we love coordinating outdoor spaces with the rest of the home.

Benches are ideal for family seating outdoors.

As you can see below, our new backyard was a huge upgrade from when we purchased the house!

Scope of work:

• Demo existing patio and path

• Move laurel hedge from backyard to front yard

• Level yard

• New fence

• Large concrete patio

• Custom pergola

• New exterior lighting

• New outdoor furniture

• New plantings

Landscape architecture by Aurora Florialis

Furnishings and Styling by Maggie Stephens Interiors

Photos by Moch Photography

Home Tour: Bainbridge Island Modern Great Room

This Pacific Northwest contemporary home was my first big project when I moved to Bainbridge Island. As an interior designer, most of my clients find me through word of mouth, so getting re-established in a new area can take time! I was so glad this couple decided to work with me, and entrusted me with this beautiful home. Today we’re going to take a look at the great room.

An open concept home is great for gatherings and togetherness, but can be challenging to furnish. The owners wanted to update and upgrade their furnishings from apartment basics to family home. They wanted it to be relaxed and livable, but also cool and modern. It’s where I really began to hone in on my personal design aesthetic - “PNW Organic Modern”.

The client’s white Eames chair was obviously staying, but almost everything else in the great room was new, including the light fixtures. Sentimental items, like the wood shelf made by the husband, and an authentic vintage propeller set the tone for this space. The husband and wife are both hobby pilots, and we tried to incorporate some subtle nods to flight throughout the home.

We kept a pretty neutral palette throughout the great room, using a base of creamy white and gray, and layering in blues and greens. The live-edge dining table was a specific request from the clients and I love how it looks with the black chairs and the paper lantern. While the footprint of the space was a little cozy, the room still feels spacious with soaring ceilings and generous walkways.

Stay tuned and we’ll take a closer look at the entry!

Photos by Ellie Lillstrom Photography.

How to Style Living Room Shelves

Shortly after we moved into our house, my husband installed this 1960’s modular shelving unit. We didn’t even have a sofa or coffee table yet, but I was ready to get styling! I’ve tweaked it here and there for the holidays, but it’s had staying power for 6 months now! It’s my favorite thing in our living room (thankfully the moving boxes have since been unpacked!)

Watch from start to finish how I style bookshelves - and pick up a few tips along the way!

4 Luxury Touches Every Primary Bath Needs

For busy parents, there is nothing quite like the peace and relaxation of a primary suite designed as a retreat. Key to that experience is a luxurious primary bathroom. Even on a moderate budget, it’s possible to add luxury to your bathroom remodel. As an interior designer, I’m sharing these 4 special features that will make your primary bathroom your favorite room in the house.

Plugs Inside The Cabinets

What’s not luxurious? Countertop clutter. Believe it or not, these cabinets each have an outlet inside, which is perfect for electric toothbrushes, razors, or anything else that needs charging. But you don’t have to have the cabinet open to use a curling iron - there are also outlets on the exterior side of each cabinet as well.

Toe Ledge In The Shower

Sometimes called a “toe shelf,” this handy perch is for the homeowner who shaves their legs, or exfoliates, or wants an extra spot to keep face wash… it’s truly versatile. And something you didn’t know you needed until you had it. You can barely see it above, but it’s about 18” off the floor and just 3 inches deep. You can also do a semi-circle one in the corner of the shower— lots of possibilities.

Heated Floors

Relatively easy to add if you’re doing floors anyway, heated floors is one of those little luxuries that makes all the difference on a chilly morning, but is more budget-friendly than you might think. Compared to the cost of a bathroom renovation, it’s a relatively small drop in the bucket. Add a programmable thermostat, and your floors will be toasty warm just in time for your morning shower.

A Bathtub for Relaxing

Is there anything more luxurious than a candlelit bubble bath and a glass of champagne in arm’s reach? I rest my case.