State of La Union Newsletter - January 2024
Greetings!
Welcome, dear friends, to another vibrant edition of our newsletter!
As we step into the fresh canvas of January, we find ourselves brimming with gratitude for the incredible journey we've embarked upon together. Your unwavering support and dedication have been the bedrock of our success, and for that, we are profoundly thankful. The start of a new year brings with it a surge of new energy and possibilities. It's a time for reflection, growth, and renewed commitment to our shared vision. Let's harness this collective enthusiasm to propel us forward, embracing the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead. Together, we have the power to shape our destiny and make 2024 a year to remember. Here's to the exciting journey ahead, and to each of you who make our shared dreams possible.
Warmly,
Sonia-Lynn + Sergio Max
Founders of La Union Studio
In This Newsletter…
- La Union Studio HQ - We Passed Final Inspections!
- New Art Mural Unveiled at CheBogz Filipino Food
- Have a Project? Fill Out Our Project Intake Form
- Client Spotlights: Hong Chuor and Solomon Dubie
- Project Spotlight: Phin Coffee
- Media Features
- Your Life Arizona
- In the Community
- Our clients Raised Doughnuts and King Donuts featured in Seattle Met's article of Best Doughnuts in Seattle
- Past client, Ta Joia tabbed as one of Yelp’s Top 100 Restaurants in the US
- Connect With Us!
Announcements
We Passed Final Inspections!
La Union Studio has successfully passed its final inspections for our office buildout! This achievement not only marks a significant milestone for our team, but a huge opportunity to leverage our studio as a community hub for collaboration and creativity. A big thank you to our incredible team, clients, and partners for their support throughout this process. Stay tuned for details on the launch of our grand opening!
New Art Unveiled at CheBogz Filipino Food!
Another masterpiece! Artist Hoa Hong has poured creativity into a captivating Filipino mural that adorns the walls of CheBogz Filipino Food, located in Beacon Hill. The mural is rich in Philippine cultural elements. Beyond its visual beauty, this beautiful piece serves as a symbol of unity, community empowerment, and a celebration of our shared cultural identity.
Have a Project? We’re Onboarding Projects for 2024!
Are you a homeowner, business owner, or investor in search of a dynamic and creative team to turn your design and buildout ideas into reality? We're now welcoming new projects for 2024. Begin the process by completing our project intake form to schedule a consultation with us!
Client Spotlight
Hong Chhuor
King Donuts
Hong Chhuor is the co-owner of King’s Donuts and the oldest brother of the Chhour family. As a Chinese-Cambodian, Hong and his family have turned King's Donuts into a community hub for the past 30+ years, sharing their love for donuts and culture with the surrounding Rainier Beach neighborhood.
Solomon Dubie
Cafe Avole
Solomon Dubie launched Cafe Avole to share Ethiopian coffee culture with the people of Seattle. Solomon aims to create a community hub and an educational experience through Ethiopian toasts. Café Avole has two locations - 8323 Rainier Ave. South in Rainier Beach and 2330 E Union St. in the Central District.
Project Spotlight
Phin Coffee
La Union Studio consistently strives to integrate artistic, cultural, culinary, natural, and historical elements into tangible design compositions. An example of this commitment is our project, Phin Vietnamese Coffee, nestled in the vibrant Little Saigon Neighborhood of Seattle. The coffee shop’s name “Phin” is a metal filter commonly used in traditional Vietnamese cafes for brewing coffee.
The material palette chosen for Phin draws inspiration from natural woods and subtle textures, incorporating soft tones and muted pops of color. The design aims to evoke memories of traditional Vietnamese temples, pagodas, and communal houses found in the historic Hanoi Old Quarter. Despite spatial constraints, La Union Studio seized unique design opportunities. We created a 'faux balcony' and integrated natural wood textures into bamboo tambour panels. This design element is a nod to the ornate patios, cupolas, and decorations seen in the cement architecture that graces Vietnamese cities throughout the country.
Go ahead and experience the fusion of cultural richness at Phin Vietnamese Coffee – a true embodiment of La Union Studio's dedication to creating immersive and meaningful design experiences.
Press + Media
Your Life Arizona
La Union Studio was recently featured on Your Life Arizona, where we engaged in a Zoom segment discussing some of the 2024 design trends that can be implemented in your homes. As we embark on a brand new year, we offer helpful tips on making your home space more decorative. Our suggestions include incorporating natural elements, utilizing neutral colors in design, and repurposing artifacts to add a personal touch. We hope these insights inspire you to create a stylish and personalized living space in the year ahead.
In the Community
Raised Doughnuts and King Donuts: Featured in Seattle Met's article of Best Doughnuts in Seattle!
La Union Studio's past clients, Raised Doughnuts and King Donuts, have been featured in Seattle Met's recent article on the "Best Doughnuts in Seattle". Our design collaboration with Raised Doughnuts and King Donuts aimed to create spaces that not only showcase their delectable treats but also provide a cozy, inviting atmosphere for doughnut enthusiasts. Check out the article below for the full scoop on why Raised Doughnuts and King Donuts made it to the top of the doughnut game!
Ta Joia Tabbed as one of Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants!
When the Lee family found out they were losing the lease at their Bothell restaurant, Teriyaki Plus, after nearly 20 years in operation, they were devastated. They didn’t know what would happen next — they didn’t even know if they would stay in Washington. In January 2021, La Union Studio helped Ta Joia open in a new space with a menu that reads like a love letter to the Lee matriarch’s life. Yoo-Mi was born in Seoul, South Korea, immigrated to São Paulo, Brazil, and spent a few years in Argentina before moving to New York and finally Seattle. In food form, this translates to kimchi fried rice and Brazilian feijoada, pico de gallo, tuna poke from Yoo-Mi’s time in New York and, of course, Seattle-style Teriyaki.
Media Hub
Recent media
