In a hidden place in Kingston, there lurks a plantsman’s 5-acre garden. Walk through this special place, and you almost believe you are on a tropical island. Your eyes follow the lines of a trunk up into the canopy of fronds from the … read more

I might as well be a split-pea floating in the middle of the ocean. It was a subject that caught me off-guard, thinking it would be like all the other kitchen item study subjects. Even napkin rings and kitchen utensil holders unfolded with … read more

Variety is the spice of life. This year’s Gig Harbor Garden Tour truly exemplifies that old adage. From elegant, English-style greenhouses to sweet, pocket-sized gardens to big, community raised-beds bursting with herbs, fruits and vegetables, there is something for every garden taste in … read more

Such an awful color that words can hardly explain, a muddy pink or a neutral, pale purple with a gray tint. I have little idea why this outdated color was selected, only that someone referred to it as an up-and-coming trend. “Really?” I … read more

Between the cracks of the dark basalt rocks, sedum’s plump rosettes cascade, a cavalcade wash in waterfall gray. Many succulents in the Sedum genus grow around the world. Gardeners love them because they are fascinating plants. Sedum spathulifolium species evolved to grow in … read more

Did you know that in Washington state, owners of solar panels get paid extra for the electricity their systems generate? To make the deal even sweeter, they can save by not needing electricity from the power company in the first place. The Northwest … read more

When you arrive at the home of Bainbridge Island artist Claudia McKinstry, you immediately notice the gardens. They cover most of the 2-acre-plus waterfront property where McKinstry and her husband have lived for more than four decades. Then you see the red caboose … read more

The New Year is a time of reflection, planning and resolutions. A grand idea — and usually an abysmal failure. Many people have organization on their New Year’s resolutions list, especially with the new trends toward minimalism. But most plans are doomed without … read more

The medieval village of Brugge, Belgium, is a major tourist destination in Europe. But it only feels that way between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. That’s when the Market Square is bustling with day visitors, via bus from Brussels and … read more