Alchemy Collections

As cars whiz by and horns honk at hooded pedestrians (jaywalking in front of traffic to avoid waiting in the rain), you know you're in the heart of Seattle's bustling Belltown neighborhood. But step inside Alchemy Collections on Second and Virginia, and this home furnishing store's Asian-inspired, spa-like environment will take you worlds away in a matter of moments.

At the store entrance, you're greeted with the near silent trickle of a peaceful koi pond while lotus flowers float by under Buddha's watchful eye. Look off your left shoulder and daydream of sleeping like royalty in the antique four-post canopy bed. Wander past the sushi-adorned dinnerware sets and up the stairs to discover brightly colored paintings of smiling Chinese children by Xu Jie that you simply won't find anywhere else.

It takes only seconds to see that Alchemy Collections, as its name suggests (alchemy, in this case, being the medieval practice of turning base metals into gold), is a place where common elements are transformed into something unique and beautiful.

"Alchemy Collections is a lifestyle store that pushes the limits of the furniture industry with functional everyday pieces that are also designed to be creative, fresh and nothing short of outstanding," says owner Evelyn Lee.

Take for example the antique Chinese wedding carriage from 1895 which Alchemy converted into a tasteful wine cellar, or the practical down-filled sectional sofas that can be customized with fabrics from all over the world.

"It's an East/West fusion where contemporary meets classical," Lee explains.

And this East/West fusion represents much more than just a home-furnishings trend.

"We ourselves are a byproduct of East and West," says Lee, who owns the store with boyfriend Michael Hsu.

Lee and Hsu grew up together in Taiwan. They both moved to the States and most recently held jobs as Seattle-area professionals, Lee at Microsoft and Hsu at Charles Schwab. The two saw a growing trend in the new construction of high-end condos and decided to leave the corporate world to pursue the art of furnishing these condos in a Zen-like fashion.

"We wanted to create a sanctuary that also helps customers create their own sanctuary at home. You can wander in, relax and take a break from everyday life," says Lee. "We also strive to educate our customers. In fact, they often return two, three or four times before buying a thing."

And that is exactly what Lee is looking for. Located at the base of the new Cristalla condominiums, Lee recently had a customer who lives above the store ask if he could bring an art piece upstairs to "try on" in his condo before buying it. Lee did not hesitate, but encouraged him to do so.

"We want you to connect with something unique, and really love it first," smiles Lee. "And we'll continue to surprise you — and all of Seattle — with something you have never seen before."