The Chihuly Boathouse, Happy Birthday Fabulous!

It’s always a pleasure to be invited to any event at the Chihuly boat house on Lake Union.

colored glass, Chihuly boathouse

clear glass pieces, Chihuly boathouse

The massive displays of colorful and shapely pieces of blown glass are positively stunning.

Chihuly chandelier, blue and white

I think the most spectacular display is at the bottom of the pool,

Swimming pool, Chihuly boathouse

seriously, even in my party dress, I’m always tempted to dive in and explore these colorful anemone-like pieces.

Chihuly boathouse pool

Yes, it’s always a treat to go to the boathouse, but you can bet you are going to have an especially great time when you visit the boathouse for one of Mrs. Chihuly’s birthday parties.

Leslie Chihuly, birthday party

This gal knows how to have fun!

{sorry, I can’t tell you why she is smiling like that}.

The theme of her party, that I went to the other night was A Big Roadtrip, based on her passion for the “freedom of the road with time to spare”.

And what a trip it was…we followed a route that “took” us to some of the birthday girl’s favorite stops from some of her cross country adventures over the years.

Vintage suitcases marked each of the stops, where guests stop could enjoy some local fare.

vintage luggage, Chihuly boathouse party

We started in New York where we helped ourselves to mini Rubens on Rye,

pizza, and lox and bagels {displayed upon their cool vintage stove}.

Along the way we took in all kind of sights, like this electric lime green piano with a colorful glass top,

Chihuly boathouse piano

female impersonators.

a fish tank filled with pieces of white glass, glowing under a black light,

black light fishtank, Chihuly boathouse

the extensive collection of beautiful vintage Pendleton wool blankets,

Pendleton blanket collection, Chihuly boathouse

and Northwest Indian baskets.

Northwest Indian basket collection, Chihuly boathouse

My favorite rest stop was this intensely yellow on yellow bathroom!

It was hard to say which was the best band, Hey Marseilles, or the Dusty 45’s with their signature flaming trumpet finale.

Flaming trumpets, Dusty 45’s, Chihuly boathouse birthday party

At the end of the road were Ruby Montana’s sky high meringue pies.

Montana sky high pies

The final performer came on at 3:30 am, breakfast time!

We got to sing~a~long with Sun Valley’s Joe Cannon, closing things down, with a moving rendition of “take me home Country Roads” as everyone enjoyed their eggs and hashbrowns before heading home.

Emily Heston, Joe Cannon, Leslie Chihuly, Take Me Home, Country Roads

a fitting finish to a fabulous road trip!

Are you thinking of a road trip this summer?

Here are the songs on the CD given to guests as we left, these songs will surely put you in the mood to roam and wander:

Roam ~ B~52’s

We’re on the Road to Nowhere ~ Talking Heads

Whatever tomorrow brings I’ll be there ~ Incubus

Ticket to Ride ~ The Beatles

Everyday is a Winding Road ~ Sheryl Crow

I’ve Been Everywhere ~ Johnny Cash

Do you know the way to San Jose? ~ Dionne Warwick

Beautiful Day ~ U2

Country Roads ~ John Denver

On the Road Again ~ Willie Nelson

Comments

serena at the urban farmhouse says

June 27, 2011 at 2:50 pm

The boathouse is one the most incredible places I have ever been to. It rivals Venice. I bet the party was a blast. I did Leslie's birthday 5 years ago – Route 66. So glad you posted about this magical place. Those collections – blankets, books, baskets – have profoundly inspired me and I think about them at least weekly.
xo
s

red ticking says

June 28, 2011 at 4:05 pm

fabulous birthday and fabulous post!!! love it… their collections are so amazing….xo

quintessence says

June 29, 2011 at 12:56 pm

Dale Chihuly is such a talent!! Lucky Mrs.Chihuly to have such a fabulous place to celebrate – looks like a rocking party!!

24 Corners says

June 30, 2011 at 6:31 pm

Now *that's" a birthday party! How fun…loved the peak into the inner sanctum…thank you!
xo J~

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