Trends in home design for 2016 run the gamut from simple and strong to bold and reclaimed. Tranquil baths, bold flooring and attention to reusable materials top the list. Trends in home design are similar to trends in fashion. There are always hot new colors and styles — and it’s tempting to feel like you […]
design
Posted inAt Home, Blog, Featured
Do You Need a Building Permit? You Might be Surprised!
Recently, a very nice woman came into my office to discuss a basement remodel. She told me that she was just doing a very simple remodel, but soon it involved creating a room, running a heat duct to it, including a new light a switch and so on. As the scope of work evolved, along […]
Posted inFeatured, People & Places
On the Level — A Home for Entertaining… and the Dogs
In the summer of 2014, when Lance and JoAnn Kahn first saw the 1970s rambler, they weren’t all that impressed. The 40-year-old house was dated and the floorplan was decidedly quirky with long, dark hallways that ran like tunnels from either side of the front door. However, the couple had to admit that the place […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
What You Need to Know About Using the Internet for ‘Due Diligence’
You often hear people refer to completing their “due diligence” when hiring a contractor for any type of construction project. Officially, due diligence (also known as due care) is the effort made by an ordinarily prudent or reasonable party to avoid harm to another party or own self. Failure to make this effort is considered […]
Posted inFeatured, People & Places
Celebrating the Season with Tom and Donna Torrens
Any time of the year, the home of Tom and Donna Torrens is an eye-catching affair. Sitting on 7 1/2 wooded acres in the Artondale area of Gig Harbor, the house and grounds are liberally sprinkled with Tom’s metal and wood sculptures, including several of the bells and gongs he is perhaps best known for […]
Posted inFeatured, People & Places
Starter Home Gets Major Redesign After Homeowners’ Hiatus
Imagine building a new home, then moving overseas for nearly two decades, and returning to that home that had quietly aged. That’s what one Port Orchard couple did — and when they returned, they knew the old home needed some updates and changes to meet the aesthetics of modern design and both their refined tastes […]
Posted inFeatured, People & Places
Kingston Holiday Lights
A not-to-be-missed holiday-season outing is the Kingston Lights on the green spaces surrounding the Port of Kingston building near the ferry terminal. It all begins on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 5 p.m. when Santa arrives on a North Kitsap Fire and Rescue truck. Santa lights the Christmas tree and flips the switch to turn on […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog, Featured
Design Basics, Part 2: Walls and Ceilings
Navigating interior design options is challenging. Where do you start when so many options are available? Here are some basic tips for your walls and ceilings. Read part 1 of this article to learn about floors. Walls: Paint Most manufacturers have reformulated their paints, claiming to have reduced the toxic ingredients. That is probably true. […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog, Featured
Design Basics, Part 1: Floors
Interior design choices can be overwhelming, especially with so many choices on the market. To help you along in the process, here are some basic tips for your floors. Read part 2 of this article on Friday for more tips for the walls and the ceilings. Carpet The most forgiving material for a floor is […]