The garden is changing every day this time of year. Plants respond quickly to warming temperatures, the soil is still moist from frequent spring showers. The chores pile up quickly, tugging at us from every garden corner and flowerbed. At times like these, … read more

The Ale House in Kingston is coming back! There’s an underlying buzz in the town, a buzz felt even across the water. That spot in Kingston belongs to more than the locals. Memories of friendly dinners, the food, the sense that you are … read more

This year’s Design and Construction Week, hosted in Las Vegas in January, did not disappoint. Comprised of four distinct shows — the International Builders Show, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, the International Window Coverings Expo and the International Surface Event — it … read more

Look in any magazine that features kitchens and baths and you may notice that 90 percent of the rooms show inset cabinetry. Many people don’t notice the difference but they comment that is looks very sleek. So what are inset cabinets? Inset cabinetry … read more

The first thing that jumps at you when you see Susie “Sooz” Mansueto’s tiny wood dwellings is the whimsy — bright, lovely designs that instantly put a smile on your face. But pause to study them, and you realize there’s something much deeper … read more

If you’re looking for an excuse to grab a lunch out or go on a dinner date on a “slow” night, this Thursday, April 28, is your chance to eat out, support a local business — and contribute to a good cause. Dining … read more

Orange is a real monster — not intentionally, but a color that can sneak up oh, so slowly and not be the pillow-pal one might have expected. “Confrontational” may be a more appropriate word. It is a love-or-hate color that balances on interpretation. … read more

If you remember hardy fuchsias in grandma’s backyard, you know that they have been grown for a long time in our maritime climate. Originally native to South America and New Zealand, many fuchsias are in local display gardens, including one in front of … read more

The temperate weather of Western Washington and the long growing season create a gardener’s paradise. This year, due to unusually warm temperatures, I have found myself out in the garden early, visiting with my plant friends that have lain dormant all winter. I … read more