There’s nothing more magnetic than an “outdoor room.” It’s more inviting than just a porch. It’s more romantic than a deck or a patio. It can be either snuggled against the house or set out at the edge of the property. Either way, it’s like a secret garden. People are drawn to outdoor rooms like […]
home
Posted inFeatured, People & Places
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 […]
Posted inFeatured, People & Places
Perspective on Port Madison
Bainbridge Island’s picturesque Port Madison Bay has drawn people to its peaceful shores since Native Americans first paddled into the deep-water harbor. Generations later, in the mid-1800s, the area became home to a bustling lumber mill with an economic impact so great that Port Madison soon became Kitsap County’s first government seat. Fifty years later, […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
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 […]
Posted inFeatured, Home
Return of the Corner Hutch
Corner hutch popularity is like a rollercoaster. A few years back, I professed the easy availability and need for these space-efficient cupboard/shelf units with one purpose — to hold “things.” Repeating over and over that they are easy to find, easy to repair and easy to paint, and the corner format fits in a zillion […]
Posted inFeatured, Home
Ceiling Fans — Not Just for Summer Anymore
Unlike a chandelier or a stunning kitchen tile backsplash, ceiling fans go mostly overlooked by visitors and occupants of a home. Although fans can be decorative, their primary purpose is utilitarian, hence they are rarely noticed until they are needed or wanted. Ceiling fans can be useful in bedrooms, living rooms, family rooms, home offices, […]
Posted inFeatured, People & Places
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 […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Tips for Shopping Organic on a Budget
Chances are you’ve already heard about the benefits of including certified USDA organic foods in your diet. However, you may have also heard that such choices are typically higher in cost. “Eating right is in easier reach of Americans than ever before,” says Kate Geagan, America’s green nutritionist and expert consultant for Earth’s Best, the […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
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 […]