Hugh Montgomery, a custom furniture and cabinetry maker, sits in a small office, just off his noisy shop on Bainbridge Island, and tries to explain what he does. “I like to work with my hands,” says the 58-year-old carpenter. “I like to make things and build things. … My business is what I like to […]
construction
Posted inHome
Busting Myths About High Housing Prices
The median price of a new home reached an all-time high of $565,613 in Washington this year, according to a recent report by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). And while the hot housing market is beginning to cool, only roughly 24 percent of Washington’s families can afford to buy a home at that […]
Posted inHome
Design Trends in 2023
Every year, we gather our panel of design experts to discuss some of the hottest design trends. In 2023, expect to see natural-looking finishes, natural materials like wood, and more recycled and upcycled choices for the environmentally conscious. Comfort is the key for families. A “must have” is gathering areas, where you can meet and […]
Posted inHome
Your Walls Are an Open Canvas
When you think of your walls as a canvas, there are a multitude of ways to enhance the look and feel of any room. As with most projects, you need to consider some initial criteria: Now that we have defined the four basic criteria for determining how you approach your project, you can consider the […]
Posted inAt Home
How to Install Bathroom Tile Like a Pro
Updating the flooring can help infuse new life into tired, outdated bathrooms. For an upscale, polished look that doesn’t have to break the bank, consider installing tile flooring. Before you get started, you’ll want to make some decisions about the look and feel of your flooring: Ceramic or stone? Weigh factors such as how porous […]
Posted inAt Home
NKBA’s 2023 Kitchen and Bath Trends
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), a nonprofit trade association for the kitchen and bath industry and owner of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), has released its highly anticipated design trends research report. The annual report provides insight into the styles, colors, product features, materials and technology that will dominate kitchen and […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Custom Rustic Birdhouses
Meet Luis Gonzalo Pablo Pablo. Luis is a multi-talented and creative gardener — from his stunning rose bushes to his large variety of vegetables, he has a “green thumb.” Luis was raised in Wenatchee and moved to Kitsap 19 years ago. In his spare time, he gathers materials, repurposes wood, old chairs, and harvests old […]
Posted inHome
A Sparkling View Inspires a Clear Vision
Even though Julia and Dennis Carpenter took on all aspects of the interior architecture and design, they loved the building process. Yes, there were a multitude of details and ongoing decisions, but they had skills and time. Stepping into the Carpenters’ home demands a moment. There are no words in the face of the intimate […]
Posted inPeople & Places
An Architect’s Perspective on Bidding and Ensuring the Lowest Possible Construction Costs
During the design process, I am often asked how to ensure the lowest construction cost of a project. Whether the owner has set a maximum construction cost budget or not, it’s necessary during the preliminary design stages of the project to develop a construction cost estimate. We provide construction cost estimates based on local average […]