'MO - September 2008 - (Page 12)

community Click here to comment on these stories. ‘MO BIZ A Monthly Business Proﬁle Sponsored by the GSBA Sternola-Brown Interiors: Designing a Lifelong Partnership By Lisa Walls Partners in life and business, the two-man crew of Sternola-Brown offers a seamless narrative when describing how they work as a pair, even finishing each other’s sentences. With Jeff’s background in building and Phil’s in interior design, forming their business was “a natural thing.” After 10 years as Sternola-Brown Interiors (and 12 years as partners), Phil Sternola and Jeff Brown have grown a long client list, and enough referrals to stay busy. With skills in different arenas, they don’t necessarily work together during the day. “I’m the one who designs it and Jeff builds it,” said Phil. “We like to say I’m the perspiration,” said Jeff, “and Phil’s the inspiration.” “Phil has no idea how to use a cordless drill to put a screw in the wall to hang a picture, but he knows where to put the picture.” “That’s part of why Jeff and I make such a great team,” said Phil. Clients of SternolaBrown Interiors will come home and enter surroundings reﬂective of their personalities. Phil said, “I work closely with them to make sure their home is how they would envision it if they’d been able to do it themselves.” Phil accompanies clients PHOTO CREDIT: MICHAEL LEHMAN for shopping excursions, hunting down Jeff Brown (left) and Philip Sternola photographed in their the best values around Queen Anne home. town. Jeff and Phil have focused on buildJeff. In addition, they do weddings, parties, ing relationships with a variety of vendors and event planning. For these business ownrather than opening an office. “Good relationers, events are a natural addition to interior ships mean good values for clients,” they said. design work. Phil’s even done image consultThey pull from a cadre of trusted subcontracing. tors for specific labor needs—many of whom Despite their hectic work lives, they manare members of the LGBT community. age to be active community members, too. The two also stage houses for real estate Phil chaired Providence Senior and Comagents. “All houses we’ve staged have sold on munity Services’ “O’Christmas Trees” Gala the first showing, for full price or more,” said Auction in 2007. Professionally designed Christmas trees (at least one of which is Phil’s) are sold to benefit seniors who’ve outlived their resources. Some trees go for as much as $60,000. Phil is also on the Board of the Providence Mount St. Vincent Foundation. He’ll be chairing their next big fundraiser. Jeff is on the GSBA Board; each year he and Phil host a table for the annual GSBA scholarship dinner. They’re on the procurement team for the Seattle Men’s Chorus auction, and attend the black-tie galas for Poncho Theatre, Swedish Hospital, and the American Lung Association. Years ago they held a BBQ fundraiser for Lambert House in their yard, raising $1500. Whether they’re describing their community work or domestic life, their affection for each other can be heard in their voices. Phil’s advice for couples: Take each day as it comes and keep your relationship full of surprises. Visit Sternola-Brown Interiors on the Web at www.sbinteriors.com, or call 206.352.1952. PHOTO CREDIT: K ATHY ADMIRE Mission accomplished. This Sternola-Brown client requested a room that was elegant, but also casual enough for everyday use. 12 For more about the Greater Seattle Business Association and its other proud members, go to www.theGSBA.org. celebrating seattle’s gay community http://www.sbinteriors.com http://www.theGSBA.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of 'MO - September 2008

'MO - September 2008 Contents Letter From The Editor Voices Instant Activist Pet Project Legally Speaking: Starting Your Own Business EarthTalkTM: Soak Up the Sun ’mo-BIZ: Sternola-Brown Interiors HRC President Hails Biden as V.P. Pick Governor to Attend Annual GSBA Candidate Forum Form & Function: Cable Exercises Build Definition Gay City Health Project Makes a SHIFT Throw a Lifejacket Around Your Home’s Value Feature Film Review: A Jihad for Love Feature Film Review: Ghost Town, starring Ricky Gervais The Return of The Puyallup Fair Book Review: Life with My Sister Madonna by Christopher Ciccone Live Event Preview: Shrek The Musical at The 5th Avenue Feature Film Preview: Trumbo Now on DVD: Itty Bitty Titty Committee SceneOut: People@Places Capitol Hill Guide

'MO - September 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.