Finding Home With The Phinery

"Home Store

The Phinery sits peacefully at the corner of Greenwood Avenue and north 76th, just north of the bustling Seattle Metropolis. A grand brick building with impossibly tall windows, Simply White OC-117 Benjamin Moore paint makes this interior design studio and home store the brightest cheery space. Walls lined with soft, textural items such as handmade pillows and custom throw blankets honor the quality of in-house design, thoughtful selection and a discerning eye. Materials draped across rods stand against a back wall and a large table in the center of the sales floor displays pretty, unique items from candles to bowls to ceramic wine stoppers shaped like small birds. "These were created locally here in Phinney Ridge," says owner Becky Ducsik, "The goals with our product selection is to create a cohesive, unique look that feels fresh and inviting. We curate items from dozens of sources, putting an emphasis on supporting other small business artisans who custom design items exclusively for The Phinery. We have a full-time workroom in Ballard who hand crafts all of our pillows, with are designed in-house using our Phinery fabrics. The Phinery look is very distinct, and we love having the opportunity to continue to evolve and enhance the look."

The Studio

A row of dark cabinets lines the wall behind the grand conference table to the left of the home store sales floor inside The Phinery. Daylight illuminates samples, color chips, and project idea boards hung above the white countertop. Around this table stands The Phinery's team of experts - Color Consultant & Interior Designer Rebecca, Product Marketing Manager Maghara, Interior Design Bret Ashlee, Operations Manager Polly, and Owner & Interior Designer Becky. It's this group of strong, inspirational women who set The Phinery apart from mainstream design, honing their skill and trained technique to create seamlessly beautiful transitional spaces. 

Origin

Beck Ducsik entered the artistic field with a love of interior design and a business degree which made for a valuable pairing. "Both my mom and my stepmom were successful interior designers, so I grew up in beautiful, functional homes that were always evolving. I discovered that I had their same talents after I graduated from school and bought my first house. My career sort of snowballed from there." Beginning with a small design studio and home store down the street, Becky grew her design team and product line at an impressive pace. "I would go up to The Phinery at 11PM on a Sunday night once my kids were in bed to break down boxes and clean the store. There were so many late nights!" It all paid off when Becky was able to secure the new location on Greenwood Ave, which took the whole operation to new heights. 

Unique

Along with The Phinery, Product Marketing Manager, Maghara, has grown and changed, beginning with the company when it was just a small shop. She speaks of exciting challenges and the reward of working with a great team. "I love the team - we have so much fun at work! What's special about The Phinery is that it's the manifestation of all the things we dream up. Here you can look at samples and see paint colors, inspired things, old things, new things, and items we have created custom. I think that is really fun for our clients while also making every project we take on really special."

Inspiration

With over twenty years of experience interior designer, Bret Ashlee, is the newest member on The Phinery team, having made the intentional with to seek a collaborative team environment. "I fell very blessed to be in this group of amazing, strong, smart, brilliant women in this beautiful space, and to feel inspired every day with color, style, perspective, and all those design and business basics: I feel like The Phinery really encompasses all of those aspects. The purpose of design is to problem solve, and we are problem solvers helping people in many ways. What we do affects them on a daily basis in their homes and personal spaces, we help them navigate the process and make decisions that express their lifestyles and personalities. There's a lot of peace and comfort in that experience. 

The Goods

sourcing from a number of diverse vendors, The Phinery aesthetic presents a thread of consistency, practicing a stringent selection process to create their working inventory of goods. After selecting only the best materials from thousands of textile samples, Maghara's designs for a home goods collection are handmade. "You can't get anything in this store anywhere else - for example, those pillows," says Maghara indicating an array of perfectly shaped pillows, "we dreamed them up". Inspiration for the team comes from anywhere (even something as simple as a cute pair of shoes), inspiration which leads to incredibly discussions dissecting the facets of interior design. Working and studying together creates a harmonious dynamic amongst the designers, a dynamic which makes every bit of difference in the long run. 

Color Consulting

The importance of selecting color can't be overlooked. Warm weather leads to exterior painting and many painter's schedules fill up fast. The Phinery assists clients in selecting the right color for their home without the back-and-forth, bringing ease and expertise to the experience. "What sets us apart from other color consultants is our breadth of experience", Becky says emphatically, "We average about 250 Benjamin Moore color consultations a year and make a point to study the before and afters. This experience enables us to envision the colors in different lights, applications and with other palettes before the painting even begins." The Phinery's Interior Designer Rebecca has been color consulting full-time for two years at The Phinery. Available appointments are easily schedule online through www.thephinery.com which also boats a stunning portfolio of projects and client reviews. From newly purchased homes to exterior repaints, Rebecca advises them all. "Painters are often booked out for the summer by March, so as soon as clients sign their contract, our network of painters direct them to The Phinery to schedule a color consult. There result is a 1-hour color selection appointment at the client's home, providing specific color recommendations to enhance the overall aesthetic of the home. 

More Than Paint

"We often select the paint colors after the room is designed," explains Becky Ducsik, "paint color is just one of the many tools we use to create a beautiful space." Recent trends include neutrals and whites to keep homes feeling light and bright. "Clients have recently been hungry for color in their homes, but we find the energy created by color can be achieved without an excessive palette."

Simplified

If you've been feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of options when it comes to home improvement, interior design, or color selection, it's time for you to find him with The Phinery; to embrace inspiration and maximize the comfort, beauty, and potential within your space. "Our foundation has always been that interior design is approachable," adds Rebecca, "people hear 'interior design' and they think super high-end. The Phinery takes on projects of all seizes and is focussed on helping clients achieve their goals." With full-service designers on staff, The Phinery approaches problems as opportunities , envisioning and delivering for their clients."

Written and produced by Benjamin Moore Mallory Paint Store

Text by Sarah Ross