Home Services

Designing an Outdoor Paradise

How partnership, communication, and vision lead to extraordinary outdoor spaces Article by Bree O'Brien | Photography by Bryan Anderson, First Drop Media While aesthetics and functionality have historically been considerations for designing the back, front, and side yards of a home, more modern schools of thought consider outdoor spaces as extensions of the home. As such, they should complement both the architecture of the dwelling and the lifestyles of those who live within it.  Landscape...

Real Estate

Inside the Luxury Market

Key Insights Guiding High-End Real Estate Decisions in 2026 from our Luxury Partners Photography by As Noted Team Foster Tere Foster and Moya Skillman Compass   How is luxury evolving and what will matter most to buyers in 2026?   Privacy and security are near the top of the list. In addition, floor plans that offer functionality and flow for entertaining. The prime locations of West Bellevue and the Eastside in general continue to be in demand. Finally, we are seeing our luxury...

Food + Beverage

Green Olive Tapenade

A savory, briny, versatile dip for your next gathering Article by Amber Dawn Schultheis | Photography by Dawning Memories Green Olive Tapenade Recipe Serves 6-8 If you’re a lover of pickley, briny snacks, this tapenade is the perfect addition to your next cheese board. Unlike many olive dips and spreads, this recipe calls for vibrant, green castelvetrano olives keeping it bright and inviting to the eye. Use this as a dip for veggies, crackers, and pita bread or spread onto a turkey...

Home + Design

Built for Ease

How John Buchan Homes Creates Custom Residences That Perform Quietly Every Day Article by Susie Naficy You have spent your career designing systems that are elegant under pressure. You value clarity, reliability, and solutions that disappear into the background because they work exactly as intended. A strategically designed home can deliver that same effect. When done well, it amplifies your energy, simplifies daily routines, and turns ordinary moments into seamless experiences. This...

Home + Design

COMMON FORMME

Where Design Meets Wellness Article by Michelle Parnell | Photography by Sumaira Amber Creating beautiful and healthy spaces comes naturally for Emily Ellstrom, who grew up watching her parents design and build homes, giving life to the dreams of their clients.  “My parents met on a job site in the 80s. My dad was a general contractor and my mom was a high-end designer,” shares Emily. “In the mid-2000s, as they were sitting around a table with clients and the various parties who can be...

Home + Design

Architecture with Intention

Inside AVI Design Studio’s rapid rise and its approach to shaping spaces for life, work, and everything in between Article by Taylor Robinson Architecture is often judged by what we see clean lines, thoughtful materials, a sense of balance. But at AVI Design Studio, architecture begins long before form takes shape. It starts with understanding how people live, how businesses function, and how space quietly influences daily behavior. Founded as a natural evolution of more than two decades spent...

Arts + Culture

Her Creative Mark

A curated roundup of women artists redefining expression and elevating the local arts scene. Article and Photography by Jolinda Linden   How did your journey as an artist begin, and what sparked that first creative pull for you? I was five years old the first time my mom enrolled me in an art class, it was pottery class to be exact, and I still have the framed ceramic pear tile hanging in my office that I made that first class sometime early in the 1970s. My creative spark in ceramics...

Travel

Walla Walla, Uncorked

Your insider guide to the valley’s best pours, best plates, and elegant places to unwind. Article by Caitlin Agnew Walla Walla, Uncorked Your insider guide to the valley’s best pours, best plates, and most elegant places to unwind. Washington’s wine industry continues to be recognized nationally and globally for their acclaimed winemakers, distinctive varietals, and a landscape that blends rugged beauty with agricultural richness. For those of us lucky enough to call this state home, one...

Food + Beverage

A Taste of France

L'Experience Paris delivers authentic French dining Article by Michelle W. Parnell | Photography by Dawning Memories A native of France, Julien Hervet brought a love of his home country with him when he came to the United States more than twenty years ago. After moving to the west coast and launching a successful career with Microsoft, Julien noted that accessing his favorite French wines proved more difficult than he wanted. So he began exploring importing the wine himself. “I initially...

Life + Culture

Meet Naren Briar

The New Voice Shaping Bellevue's Future Article by Susie Naficy Naren Briar is a rising local leader whose story spans continents, conflict zones, and now, the civic heart of Bellevue. As the newest member of the Bellevue City Council, Naren brings a rare blend of global perspective and local devotion. In this exclusive conversation, she reflects on her journey, her love for Bellevue, and her hopes for its future.    Tell us about your background and how Bellevue became home. I grew up in...