Simplicity has a timeless allure. Perhaps farmhouses derive their popularity from that simplicity that piques memories of a simpler time and place called home. But as Chris and Julie Anne Madson discovered, simplicity takes a serious commitment. They made choices, sat with them and then simplified them further over and over, again, throughout this experience. […]
design
Posted inGardeners Corner
Some of the Best Flowers for Beautiful Vase Displays
Spring is undoubtedly my favorite time of year. Each spring, I especially look forward to cutting fresh flowers from my yard to arrange in a vase on my kitchen windowsill or dining room table. In some ways, the finished display is like a trophy showcasing my gardening skills, while allowing me to bring color from […]
Posted inAt Home
Shades of Green you Might Not See
When remodeling or building, we often hear how prospective clients might want to incorporate “green” methods into their projects. They typically cite items like solar panels, low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials, ground-source heat, ICF foundations, on-demand water heaters and more. Many of these can be very pricey options, with very long payoffs. We have noticed […]
Posted inPeople & Places
People on the Walls
Magic of sorts — the delightfully unexpected — happens as life seems to pause once in a while to say, “Have you tried this?” And we did. It was called the PaintPeopleProject. Some 20 professional fine artists and photographers, not all knowing one another, gathered to paint life-size people right on the walls of a […]
Posted inHome
A Cozy Craftsman Bungalow with All the Modern Conveniences
High school sweethearts Mark and Gail Westin enjoy the views of both the snow-capped Olympics and the waters of Hood Canal from the oversized windows of their forever home. Having recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary, they describe the contentment they feel in the design and setting of their single-story, “age-in-place,” contemporary Craftsman-style house. “We […]
Posted inHome
Tile Basics — Selecting the Right Tile for You and Your Project
Tile, in all its many forms and installation options, is a great way to put your personal stamp on a residential project. To ensure your tile installation is done properly and provides the aesthetic return on investment you are looking for, it important to understand the basics of this beautiful, versatile material. Know how a […]
Posted inHome
Fresh or Refresh — Top 10 Ways to Create a ‘New Look’ at Home
A few tweaks of your home décor can have a huge impact. Your friends will think you’ve freshly redecorated, when in fact, you made just a few well chosen changes. Here are the easiest ways to achieve a new look. 1. Remove Clutter and Junk This is the single biggest thing you can do to […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Libraries Evolve to Keep Up with New Tech
As ingrained into American culture as apple pie, public libraries have been, in the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, “the great symbols of the freedom of the mind.” Embedded into their communities, they became not just an institution that multiple generations have relied on to quench their first for knowledge, but also an instrument of […]
Posted inGarden
Beat the Winter Blues, Plan a Dream Garden
Today the wind is blowing the rain sideways. West Sound has not seen the temperature rise much above the low 40s for over a month. After the winter solstice, many people turn their thoughts to their garden. Every day there are more minutes of light added to the day. The garden season is almost here […]