As societal trends move away from accumulating dust catchers and personal possessions, gifts of experiences and consumables become more appreciated. Fall and winter also bring attention indoors to warm and cozy kitchens fragrant with aromas of good things to eat. Those who love … read more

For many West Sound families, the holiday season officially begins with Magical Strings’ annual Celtic Yuletide concert. Magical Strings is an internationally known musical family centered on the Celtic harp and hammered dulcimer of Olalla residents Philip and Pam Boulding. During the holidays … read more

Brad Stave was perhaps born to be a woodworker. First off, there’s his name, “stave,” which means a vertical wooden plank that’s attached side-by-side to similar planks to make a barrel, bucket or other container. Then there’s the fact that he received his … read more

We have all done it. Picked flowers and presented them to a favorite teacher, mother or a special friend. Giving a bouquet of flowers tells the recipients they are special, and even more so when the bouquet comes from your garden. Whether you … read more

Growing up in the ’50s and ’60s, Trudy Northover recalls her parents always hosting get-togethers for friends and family. Christmas was a massive celebration at their home. “Tech has taken so much away (web, email, etc.),” Northover says. “It’s such a gloomy time … read more

From its clever, seasonal storefront window displays (a local newspaper Readers’ Choice winner) to its vibrant wallpapered walls and curated shelves, the Manette building’s stark, white-and-black exterior belies the retail artistry and “party in a bottle” happening inside. “It has a nostalgic, speakeasy … read more

Hunter Thompson had a dream. In his imagination was the perfect house, one of space and light and comfort. His house would be timber-framed with the homespun understatement and straightforward lines of a domestic barn. It would incorporate the highest quality materials and … read more

Editor’s note: This is an excerpt adapted from Byron Smith’s book, “Slow Down and Grow Something: The Urban Grower’s Recipe for Good Life,” recently published by Murdoch Books. Plants have naturally adapted to the climate in which they have evolved — that’s why … read more

Walk into Wayne and Anne Blair’s Poulsbo bungalow and it could be 1918 rather than 2018. True to the aesthetic of the Arts and Crafts era, their home features a river-rock fireplace with a mantel shelf made of old-growth maple; stone countertops and … read more