August 16th, 2010 in Seattle
How Seattle designers snagged the 2010 Bath of the Year Award
Don't read this if you have any tendency to jealousy. Especially don't read it if you have ever wanted a bathroom that looks, feels, and acts like a five-star spa. Only read on if you want to find out how one Seattle couple living on Bainbridge Island did it, and pick up a few lessons along the way.
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August 9th, 2010 in Seattle
Around its 105th birthday, a Capitol Hill kitchen gets a backward/forward design change.
The 1905 home after renovation
How do you take a century-old treasure of a house out of its ancient entrapments, and add the beauty of modernity—all without compromising the age-old appeal of the dwelling place? It was the challenge for a Capitol Hill family whose beloved home had a kitchen that was stuck in the ‘70s, hiding the skeleton of a house built in 1905.
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June 16th, 2010 in Seattle
How does a family of four live comfortably in 1,200 square feet? This Seattle family believes it’s all about efficient design and taking advantage of the great outdoors. Fortunately, their views of Washington’s Methow Valley and the Cascade Sawtooth Mountains make cramped quarters absolutely worthwhile.
The family is able to expand their available space by using this outdoor veranda as a room all its own. A secluded setting means that privacy isn’t much of an issue.
The kitchen may be small, but it doesn’t lack efficiency. For an inexpensive center island, they used a stainless steel and butcher block workspace.
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June 15th, 2010 in Seattle
Are new windows at the top of your remodeling to-do list? If you aren’t fully aware of your rights as a consumer or the window companies' responsibilities, then you may want to take note of these tips from Seattle’s Attorney General Rob McKenna before making a significant purchase.
#1—One bid is never enough.
Make sure you have three bids from three different companies before making your final decision. The bids should be itemized to show the cost of each window (minus installation). If a company doesn’t want to provide you with an itemized list, pack up and move on to the next. There is no reason they shouldn’t.
#2—Avoid same-day scams.
Some companies try to entice consumers with a same-day discount to discourage shopping around. Don’t fall for this trap. Any reputable company won’t try to stop you from doing your research.
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June 15th, 2010 in Seattle
With Lake Washington splashing serenely at their backyard and a lush landscape out front, this Seattle family wasn't willing to give up spectacular views for a little added living space. Instead, they upped their existing square footage while staying true to the home’s original lake-cabin feel.
With Johnston Architects tackling the project, the end result was an additional 400 square feet on the main level, 1,000 more on the upper level, and an entirely new outer shell made of steel to protect the home from the elements. But while the outside may be tough, the inside is a mixture of modern warmth, natural lighting and cedar touches to bring it all together.
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