Upon purchasing their Bainbridge Island home in 2012, Renie and Mike Wilson had mixed emotions. On one hand, they recognized the many fine qualities of the place. The setting was lovely. The architecture was attractive. The floor plan was good and the size perfect. However, the house had a dark side; namely, the kitchen. Visiting […]
craftsmanship
Make Over Your Door: Tips to Make a Grand Entrance
There are many reasons why a home could need a door makeover. Entry doors, like other major components of the home, can wear out over time and need to be replaced. Additionally, homeowners may “inherit” a door on a home they’ve recently purchased and wish to change the style to a better one in order […]
Best Friends Build Wherry for Good Cause
This beautiful wineglass wherry was built by Vaughn resident Frank Garratt and his friend, Buzz Bowman, of Annapolis, MD. The two high school friends decided to do a project together when they retired. The 14-foot, two-station, classic rowing skiff was designed by Pygmy Boats of Port Townsend. Many Key Peninsula residents helped out with the […]
Building or Remodeling? It’s all About Time and Money!
There is a lot to consider when embarking on a building or remodeling project, and a major decision is choosing a reliable contractor. There are many steps to due diligence in this department, and I can outline them all, but I find that time after time, the steps are not taken and instead the decision […]
Artist John Jewell — Portraits in Two and Three Dimensions
When John Jewell retired from a career of more than 30 years in education, he knew he “wanted to do art.” He’d been gradually taking art classes — starting out as something to do with his daughter. He knew he had found a new passion. What he didn’t know is where that passion would take […]
A Warm and Inviting Outdoor Space
Smoke rising from the chimney of the outdoor fireplace is often an unspoken invitation. “The big signal is when we light a fire in the afternoon and smoke curls out of the chimney — the neighbors usually know,” Donna McKamey says. “And pretty soon, one household or another rounds the corner with a bottle of […]
Wood Varieties — Advantages, Care and Use
Last month I sat down with John Steiner to get his thoughts on woodworking — the cabinets and furniture pieces that he builds out of solid wood. Recently, I went back to his shop to discuss those woods. This is not an all-encompassing review of every wood out there, but rather a list of woods […]
Seattle as Living Art
The Space Needle, Pike Place Market, rainy streets and the Puget Sound: Seattle is an artist’s wonderland. As local gallery enthusiasts know, there are countless ways to capture the charm of the city’s streets and skyscrapers with paint and brush. However, while watercolors and encaustics are all very well, Tom and Gretchen Seifert of Bainbridge […]
The Art of Woodworking: An Interview with Artist John Steiner
John Steiner and Harris/Zommers Interiors have worked together on client projects for about 40 years. Steiner is a renowned Bainbridge Island woodworker, known for his furniture, cabinetry and other custom work. Before going to measure an oiled-walnut bookcase system for a new client, I sat down with John in his home overlooking Rich Passage. Sharing […]
