Tips, Trends & Living

Tips, Trends & Living

On-Trend Fall Refresh in 5 Simple Steps

Labor Day has come and gone, mornings are growing chilly, and thoughts are naturally turning back to our indoor spaces. Before you hibernate this fall, there are a few quick and simple tricks that will make your home instantly cozy and inviting. This is especially important if you’re planning to sell your home this fall. […]
Tips, Trends & Living

Your Guide to Going Solar

To reduce your carbon footprint, increase your household’s sustainability, and add value to your property, solar power may be right for you. Understanding how solar works and how to maximize its benefits are key first steps in your journey to becoming a solar energy-producing household. How does solar power work? The technology that turns your […]
Tips, Trends & Living

Which Documents Should You Shred, and When?
Tips, Trends & Living

Property Tax Relief Programs in King County

More than 26,000 low-income seniors and disabled people in King County who qualify for a tax exemption haven’t claimed it…are you or your family member one of them? If you are homeowner, make $58k or less per year, and are either age 61+ or retired due to disability, there is a good chance you qualify. […]

Tips, Trends & Living On-Trend Fall Refresh in 5 Simple Steps Labor Day has come and gone, mornings are growing chilly, and thoughts are naturally turning back to our indoor spaces. Before you hibernate this fall, there are a few quick and simple tricks that will make your home instantly cozy and inviting. This is especially important if you’re planning to sell your home this fall. […]

Tips, Trends & Living Your Guide to Going Solar To reduce your carbon footprint, increase your household’s sustainability, and add value to your property, solar power may be right for you. Understanding how solar works and how to maximize its benefits are key first steps in your journey to becoming a solar energy-producing household. How does solar power work? The technology that turns your […]

Tips, Trends & Living Which Documents Should You Shred, and When?

Tips, Trends & Living Property Tax Relief Programs in King County More than 26,000 low-income seniors and disabled people in King County who qualify for a tax exemption haven’t claimed it…are you or your family member one of them? If you are homeowner, make $58k or less per year, and are either age 61+ or retired due to disability, there is a good chance you qualify. […]

Tips, Trends & Living Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist A clever person solves a problem; a wise person avoids it. As the days shorten, you can mitigate many mid-winter headaches with some preemptive prep. Proper weatherizing can help protect your home from preventable damage, save money on energy costs, and, most importantly, keep you and your loved ones safe and warm throughout the winter […]

Tips, Trends & Living 10 Tips for Sustainable Gardening Sunny days are finally here, the flowers are in bloom, and the timing is perfect to give your garden some love. Having a healthy garden is one of the best ways to create a sustainable home and reduce your household’s carbon footprint. Below are some eco-friendly tips that will help to make your garden even […]

Tips, Trends & Living 2022 Home Trends Hello 2022! Life in the new normal goes on, and with it continues a trend toward all things natural and nostalgic. We’re still seeing the Scandinavian concept of “hygge” live on in warm accents and cozy textiles, but with a newer emphasis on “perfect imperfection” (known as “wabi-sabi” in traditional Japanese art). Irregular curves, handmade […]

Tips, Trends & Living Pro Lighting Tips to Brighten Your Home As we approach the darkest days of the year, a few tweaks in your interior lighting scheme can brighten your home (and your mood) from the inside out. Here are some great tips from Real Simple for a lighting scheme that is flattering and functional… Use a combo of overhead and up lighting for […]

Tips, Trends & Living The Four Phases of Remodeling As with anything in life, a remodeling project can come with its ups and downs. Certain phases seem to go a mile a minute, while others feel like they’ve lasted a lifetime and a half, all while it looks as though nothing is being completed. Fear not—this is pretty typical. And, while every project is […]

Tips, Trends & Living 2021 Home Trends Ready for a fresh start in 2021? With home still the place to be, refreshing your indoor and outdoor living spaces can make a big difference in your everyday life. The stresses and challenges of 2020 have influenced the trends of 2021 with a turn toward comfort, nostalgia and independent spaces to work and play… […]

Tips, Trends & Living Payback times for energy-efficient home upgrades Thinking of going green? Today’s technology offers a whole host of ways to boost your home’s efficiency, reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy bills. Some upgrades can pay for themselves in a relatively short amount of time, while others with large price tags might take decades to start paying back. The good […]

Tips, Trends & Living 2020 Home Trends With 2020 now in full swing, we’re seeing some clear shifts in how homes are being designed and decorated. Most notable for our area is the Modern Farmhouse trend with its juxtapositions of old & new, light & dark, and clean & rustic. Softer grey and lagom neutrals are here to stay, but are […]

Real Estate Remodeling Cost vs. Value Every year, Remodeling Magazine evaluates which projects bring the most return at resale in different markets around the country in their “Cost vs. Value” report. While returns have dipped nationwide due to growing costs and consumer anxiety, Seattle still saw better pay-off on remodeling than the national average. The chart below shows cost vs. […]

Tips, Trends & Living Planning for the Life Expectancy of Your Home Nothing in life lasts forever – and the same can be said for your home. From the roof to the furnace, every component of your home has a lifespan, so it’s a good idea to know approximately how many years of service you can expect from them. This information can help when buying or […]

Tips, Trends & Living Preparing Your Garage for an Electric Car Electric cars help lower emissions and fuel costs, improve fuel economy, and bolster energy security. And considering the volatility of gas prices—and their general skyward trajectory—electric fuel shows promise as an economic alternative. But switching to an electric vehicle entails more than new driving habits and a conversation piece with strangers. It’s also a […]

Real Estate Should I Move or Remodel? There are a number of things that can trigger the decision to remodel or move to a new home. Perhaps you have outgrown your current space, you might be tired of struggling with ancient plumbing or wiring systems, or maybe your home just feels out of date. The question is: Should you stay or […]

Tips, Trends & Living Outdoor Living Trends for Summer 2018 The sun is back and summer is so close you can almost taste the s’mores being toasted around the fire pit…is this the year to spruce up your outdoor spaces? Fun new trends in alfresco design revolve around individuality of lifestyle and a desire to bring the inside out with rooms, furniture and lighting […]

Tips, Trends & Living Kickoff 2017 – Design Trends Panel At our recent Kick-off event for the Windermere offices on the Eastside, 3 design experts participated in a panel discussing the latest trends for the home here in the Pacific Northwest. Susan Marinello, of Susan Marinello Interiors, Brenda Gage from JayMarc Homes, and Sheri Olson, of Sheri Olson Architecture, dished on the freshest interior design […]

Local Community & Events Where to Drink Coffee in Seattle Right Now, Fall 2016 Originally posted on Windermere Premier Blog. Lucky Seattle. This city has tried-and-true coffee industry veterans, solid neighborhood cafes, and a growing crop of newcomers pushing the scene forward. Venerable roasters Vivace and Victrola helped build the Emerald City’s reputation as the specialty coffee center of the planet, and they’re bolstered by a fresh set of bean […]

Tips, Trends & Living Benjamin Moore Color Of The Year For 2017 In an interesting turn of events, Benjamin Moore moves from Simply White, color of the year for 2016, to Shadow 2117-30, a rich amethyst color, for 2017. Shadow is paired with a palette of 23 colors that embody Benjamin Moore’s take on 2017’s most influential hues.