A contemporary, stucco home on the south end of Bainbridge Island delivers unexpected turns of surprise and delight far exceeding the simplicity of its exterior. A colonnade between the garage and the home frames a view of Port Orchard Passage on its way to the tucked-in entrance. The front walk is sheltered by a wall […]
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Posted inGarden
The Drainfield and the Rose
Prior to 2011, Sally Eastman, an experienced gardener, had never grown a rose. She said recently, “I think I may have planted Rose One Hundred and One this year.” How and why did she become so bowled over by roses? The story really begins in late 2009, when Eastman and her husband, Roger, both looking […]
Posted inHome
Olalla Mission-Style Home gets Modernized
In 2006, the couple knew they needed a life change to a place where summertime enjoyment out of doors in the evening was possible. Visiting friends in Gig Harbor, they discovered a climate and community that attracted them, and eventually started making an annual trek to the area. As they became more and more interested […]
Posted inAt Home
Keep Orchids Beautiful and Blooming
Lift your spirits, enliven your indoor décor or give the gift of beautiful blooming orchids. You’ll enjoy these exotic blossoms for months with just minimal care — once you know what to do. Start with a healthy flowering plant. The phalaenopsis or moth orchid is the most widely available and easiest to grow. It’s similar […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
What’s Contributing More to Climate Change, SUVs or Our Dinner Plate?
It may surprise you to learn the global impact of the humble cheeseburger. The climate impact of food has not been discussed as much as driving or deforestation, but there is an increasing awareness of the role that our food plays in climate change. Food production; the clearing, growing, harvesting, transporting, packaging and processing of […]
Posted inAt Home
12 Tips to Help Home and Business Owners Prepare Ahead of Storms and Floods
The preparations you make now, ahead of storms or floods, can help you recover faster and stay safe during cleanup. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade association representing small engine, utility vehicle and outdoor power equipment manufacturers and suppliers, reminds home and business owners that it’s best to get ready before a […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
One Simple Step Can Improve the Health and Vigor of Your Lawn
Do just one thing this fall, and you can improve the health and vigor of your lawn. Fall fertilization helps lawns recover from the stresses of summer and provides needed nutrients to grow deeper roots and a denser stand of grass. And that means fewer weeds and a healthier lawn that’s more resistant to drought, […]
Posted inAt Home
Tips for Buying Houseplants
Editor’s note: This excerpt is adapted from David Squire’s book, “The Houseplant Handbook: Basic Growing Techniques and a Directory of 300 Everyday Houseplants.“ Choosing and buying plants for the home needs care if they are to create spectacular displays that last a long time. There are several sources of houseplants, including garden centers, plant nurseries, […]
Posted inHome
Laundry-Room Bliss
Among the current trends in remodeling and new-home construction are supercharged laundry rooms. Gone are the days when this room was overtly utilitarian, used for the sole purpose of housing the clothes washer and dryer. Today’s laundry rooms are multitasking zones that help the homeowner stay on top of chores such as pet grooming, garden […]