Wineries in Central and Western Washington dot the landscape, from Lake Chelan to Pullman to the Oregon border. The highest density of wineries and the most popular tourist destination is Walla Walla. With a winery boom in the 2000s and continued growth through this decade, you can find over 135 wineries in the Walla Walla […]
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Posted inPeople & Places
Experience San Juan Serenity
If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of West Sound, take advantage of one of our state’s most popular destinations. The San Juan Islands are mere hours away and offer services all the way from boondock camping to boutique hotels with fine dining in a peaceful, rural setting. The […]
Posted inAuto Talk
How to Prepare Your Vehicle and Secure Your Home for a Summer Road Trip
As peak summer travel season approaches, the cost and stress associated with road trips are top concerns for many travelers. With 43% of households planning road trips as their top travel plan this year, proper preparation of both your vehicle and home is essential. Mercury Insurance offers important tips to ensure your vehicle is road-ready […]
Posted inDesignBuild, Featured, People & Places
Passport to Creativity Tour 2024
When learning a foreign language, a common recommendation is to immerse yourself in the country and the culture of that language. The same can be said for a product. If you really want to understand a product, you need to understand its origin, the raw materials, the manufacturing and distribution processes, and most importantly, the […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Destination Semiahmoo
Imagine you were tasked with locating and building a destination resort in the Pacific Northwest. Would you seek a location on the expansive Salish Sea or on a peaceful bay? Would you seek a location that has dramatic mountain sunrises or one that features romantic ocean sunsets? Would you want a property that features a […]
Posted inPeople & Places
The Short and Winding Road to Victoria, British Columbia
As the Black Ball Ferry “Coho” enters Victoria Harbor following its 90-minute crossing of the Salish Sea from Port Angeles, the stately Fairmount Empress hotel — Victoria’s centerpiece — comes into view. The scene is a bit “Oz” in nature: The stunning building is so perfectly placed, it feels as if the bucolic harbor was […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Seabrook — A Bucolic Destination on the Washington Coast
After the three-hour drive from Kingston through vast differences in topography and aged towns, Seabrook almost jolts you awake, exuding charm, fresh ocean air and a pretty, decidedly Nantucket look. The first exploration downtown uncovers immaculate streets, cute stores and smiles. As you make your first drive around the 500-plus home village, you experience the […]
Posted inHome
Touring German Haus Fair 2023 with the National Kitchen & Bath Association
Foreign travel is great for sparking a designer’s creative juices; however, mixing business with pleasure can be the ultimate reward. In that vein, I have made a point of attending kitchen and bath industry trade shows on a regular basis in North America and Europe. This year, I was selected by the National Kitchen & […]
Posted inAuto Talk
Four Questions to Ask before Going Electric
The “electric vehicle (EV) boom” is upon us. Americans purchased nearly 300,000 EVs in the second quarter of this year, over 48% more than in 2022. To drive the trend even further, new data from Hankook Tire’s Gauge Index survey suggests that more than 1 in 3 drivers (34%) plan to own or lease a […]