The new creative class chooses its coworkers. Newfangled collectives of work-alones share the coolest spaces, too—like this light-filled historic Pioneer Square dream office. We asked four of the professional, independent tastemakers inside the second-story co-op at 95 Yesler to share their must-have picks for summer.

1. Erin Gainey
Cofounder of Seattle Design Foundation, seattledesignfoundation.com
“Style in the warmer seasons should be as effortless as possible, so I try to stick to a few key items that are truly functional. Schwood’s Portland-made wooden sunglasses ($242 at E. Smith Mercantile in Pioneer Square, esmithmercantile.com) have classic shapes with a Northwest twist.”

2. Cassandra LaValle
Founder and creative director for the blog Coco and Kelley, cocokelley.com
“With sunny days in Seattle few and far between, I’d never leave my beach bathing to a boring suit. I love the plunging neckline and even deeper back of this locally designed Drifting Arrows one-piece ($213 at driftingarrows.com); and this lightweight, sustainably hand-woven Ethiopian-cotton towel ($75 at driftingarrows.com) works as a sarong, scarf, or beach blanket.”

3. Brian Paquette
Principal interior designer at Brian Paquette, brianpaquetteinteriors.com
“Where does it say that all decorators need to show up to meetings with some fancy leather tote? From walks to the office to sprawling out in the sun at Denny Blaine, this made-in-America roll-top pack from Topo ($198 at topodesigns.com and Seattle-based glasswingshop.com) is key.”

4. Ann DeOtte Kaufman
Owner and designer of the functional biking fashion line Iva Jean, ivajean.com
“You could live in these clogs from Sweden’s Maguba ($140 at Edie’s, ediesshoes.com). I need a shoe that will be up for anything; this one is perfect for day to night. And I like having a colorful, timeless throw like this Pendleton one ($228 at downtown’s Northwest Pendleton, indianblanket.com) next to the door for last-minute trips to the beach or park.” 

Published: July 2013