Seattle-area interior designers gathered at The Shade Store’s Bellevue, Washington, showroom on May 14 for a vibrant morning filled with lively conversation and connections. Business of Home editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen hosted a panel discussion with local talents Andy Beers of Ore Studios and Brian Paquette of Brian Paquette Interiors. The conversation focused on how each designer built his business, with insights on the ways they approach their daily operations, the keys to successful communication on projects, and how to add value for clients. 

Following the discussion, attendees browsed The Shade Store’s showroom displays, interacting with the various custom window treatment vignettes and pulling samples from a selection of more than 1,200 in-stock materials. Guests also networked and enjoyed light bites while learning more about how they could collaborate with The Shade Store on projects all across the country.

“There is a thoughtfulness and rigor underpinning the way Andy and Brian approach the design process and the growth of their firms,” said Petersen. “Their candor and the kind of conversations their perspectives inspired are essential for a thriving design community. I’m so glad to partner with The Shade Store for events like this one that spark deeper industry connections, and with designers such as Andy and Brian who believe in sharing their stories.”

“There are so many talented designers in the Seattle market, and this event provided a great opportunity for them to not only connect with one another but also to meet our team, and for us to reintroduce them to all the ways they can partner with The Shade Store,” said Kara Marmion, senior vice president of marketing and communication at the company. “Everyone was so engaged with the panel discussion, and that engagement continued as designers explored our Bellevue showroom and met our team there, as well as our measure and installation team and the teams from Queen Anne, University Village and The Shade Store at Kravet in the Seattle Design Center.”

“It was an enormous pleasure to speak with Kaitlin and Brian about process and some of the fundamentals of our business,” said Beers. “There is such a wealth of information in our local design community, and it was incredible to have BOH and The Shade Store bring so many people together.”