For Your Inspiration: Collections

There is a little cafe in Seattle next to the Chihully museum called “Collections.”
From what I understand it houses some of Chihully’s personal collections.

It’s just a little place but has a large impact… I can honestly say I’ve never seen another place with accordions hanging from the ceiling. (i LOVE accordions!)
The glass paintings on the wall, the warm wood paneling, the large windows looking out into the gardens… it’s a delightful place.

Each table has a glass top with a shadowbox underneath it. It was fascinating to see what was inside of each table. This was my favorite with old toy airstreams.

Another table had lures, one had wooden dollhouse furniture.

I’m still wondering what these are.  String dispensers that might have been kept in a kitchen? Do you use them for tying up the roast? I find them a little creepy with their sideways eyes. There were several collections of ceramic figurines. I find many of them slightly disturbing. Perhaps that is just me.

Another favorite collection is the transistor radios. Fun colors, funky lines. I love the streamlined 50’s design sensibility.Why do they make electronics ugly black boxes now? Design can be fun. It would brighten my day to see a funky red alarm clock by my bedside each morning.

And, by the way, the food was FANTASTIC! If you have the chance – go. Try to go during off hours so that people don’t look at you funny when you walk up and down staring at their table.