Maggie Hansen traveled the world. Then she came to Bainbridge Island, where she put everything she’d discovered about home comfort and convenience into her own little piece of the world. After visiting or living in countries from Spain, Norway and France to Japan, … read more

Climb aboard for an exciting ride as we enter the world of contemporary thrifting. You’ve heard me say that before, but this time, “turn and run” — the creep meter is registering, and this one makes little sense (at first, anyway). I saw … read more

Chocolate’s journey to becoming popularly associated with love and romance as a decadent indulgence began in Mesopotamia. Believing it had curative powers, the Mayan and Aztec upper classes consumed liquid chocolate mixed with additives such as cornmeal, vanilla and honey. Cacao beans became … read more

Homeowners and remodeling contractors alike have found themselves in the “perfect storm” as market dynamics for construction and more specifically, remodeling, have changed in recent years. Let’s investigate the causes and effects of this economic phenomenon and how you can develop realistic expectations … read more

Every year, we gather our panel of design experts to discuss some of the hottest design trends. In 2022, expect to see natural-looking finishes, natural materials like wood, and more recycled and upcycled choices for the environmentally conscious. Comfort is the key for … read more

When is a dream home not a dream home? This sounds like a rhetorical question but in the case of Bob and Heyjin Disney, it’s relevant. Their company, Disney and Associates, builds approximately 25 luxurious, semicustom houses a year. So for Bob Disney, … read more

Although Christmas comes just one day a year, the preparation for it, for some, begins in earnest in the fall. With the vast amounts of activities, food prep and decorating to be done, sometimes as early as September! When it takes what feels … read more

Coming home can mean many things. It can be a holiday gathering. It can be family banding together to help with a temporary setback. It can even be an adult child who’s now back in the basement. But for Beth Hill of Poulsbo, … read more

Office al fresco or simply a COVID-safe space to relax and commune with family and friends — many Americans are devoting time and financial resources to creating an outdoor living experience in their own backyards. Driven in part by the COVID-19 pandemic and … read more