Totokaelo's Fashion-Forward Office in Seattle - Remodelista
Photography by Michael A. Muller for Remodelista. In 2001, Jill Wenger moved from Texas to Seattle, Washington, and, at the age of 26, opened Totokaelo, a retail shop devoted to women’s fashion by under-the-radar designers. The enterprise was Jill’s first job, and while today she’s busy collaborating on designs with artists all over the world, she still has a hand in every decision at Totokaelo. So when the second floor in the historic building next door to the Totokaelo shop opened up, Jill jumped at the opportunity. “I work best in clean, calm, and vibrant spaces–spaces where you stay energized but maintain focus, ” says Jill. The lofted portion of the converted ballroom is home to Jill’s own office with custom-built shelving by woodworker Joel Kikuchi. The office chairs are inspired by the classic Eames Aluminum Management Chair in tobacco-colored Vicenza leather. Ceramics sculptures decorate Jill’s desk along with a mug that sums up her role at Totokaelo: “World’s Best Boss, CEO, Stylist, Creative Director, Entrepreneur, Curator, Graphic Designer, Buyer, Brand Developer…” Above L: “The floor paint is standard white epoxy floor covering,” says Jill, “it’s super durable and I love it on concrete and wood alike.” Above R: A wool felted rug designed by Totokaelo’s editorial creative director, Ashley Helvey. The bright orange chairs and a woven rug thrown over the stair rail are among the few color accents in the office. The wooden side table is by LA design studio Commune. On the table is a copy of the Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopedia, Volume I. In the main work space, the desks were designed by Jill in collaboration with Seattle woodworker Joel Kikuchi. “In the middle is a custom sawhorse (‘pony’) that I designed a few years back to meet the need for simple desks and tables. Joel made it from three-inch fir dowels.” Ceramic mugs, a stoneware vase, and a list of inspiring Tumblr sites. Everything from the exposed brick walls to the antique chandeliers received a white coating. Below Jill’s lofted office, a series of conference rooms are walled off by sliding doors of light-blue-tinted glass with handles made of fir. Each conference room is equipped with furniture and accents from Totokaelo Art-Object. The white clamp-base desk lamps were sourced from a local office supply store. Every desk accessory–from tape dispenser to paper collator–is considered. Stacks of printed material include Address magazine, The Gentlewoman, Rika Magazine, and look books from Cushnie et Ochs, Cosmic Wonder Light Source’s Diamond Equinox collection, and Yohji Yamamoto + Noir. A row of leather slingback chairs by Santa Cruz artist, physicist, and genealogist Dan Wenger (no relation to Jill). A small coat closet also received a coat of white paint. For another Capitol Hill point of interest, see Living in an Architectural Landmark, Seattle Edition.