Tired of winter's gloomy gray? Step into Capitol Hill's Galactic Boutique [0] for a double-shot of color. The sandwich board sign in hot pink and purple is your first clue that you're in for some color therapy. Hues range from soft pastels and rainbow shades to neon pinks, purples, greens and oranges.
Since opening in March 2006, owner/artist Karl Fjellström has beefed up his offerings with more gifts, housewares, fashions and accessories in a riot of colors, but in a harmonious way. Everything is modern, but not in the remote, cold manner that often characterizes modern furnishings. It's merchandised into Fjellström's categories of Spaceship Chic, Crazy Modern, Retro Kitschy and World Modern. There's a mix of local as well as national designers.
For the holidays you'll find sparkly tree decorations, greeting cards and felt stockings made by the multi-talented Fjellström. In home décor, choose from Fjellström's racing stripe pillows ($49.95), robot pillows with screen-printed '60s-era robots ($21.95) and super-mod plastic globe lamps ($59.95).
For gift-giving or entertaining, pick up the brightly colored Love jigsaw-like serving dishes that can be combined into a variety of shapes ($12.95-$18.95), push-pin cocktail picks, and candy-colored glass tumblers ($8.95 each or $27 for a set of four). Asian-influenced designs include noodle bowls with chopstick rest ($8.95) and Chinese lantern night-lights ($8.95). Bath soaps and salts come in holiday scents such as candy cane and chocolate mint ($5.95 each).
Fjellström's screen-print T's, available in yet another rainbow of colors for men and women ($19.95-$32.95), are popular. Accessorize with vinyl Majesty cosmetic bags and tote with contrasting appliqués ($22-$72), Tiny Meat acrylic covered wallets (think Mod Squad) for $16.95 and Amy Tavern's sterling silver celestial-inspired jewelry.
That should just about cover the hipsters on your list.
Kathy Schultz is a Seattle-based free-lance writer. If you have a shop, sale, event or great product tip you'd like to share, E-mail seattleshopping@nwsource.com.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
