What is the telltale sign of a Tudor? Outside, look for a steeply pitched roof, which gives a triangular aspect to the face of the house. Sometimes a double peak is employed, above a curved entryway. A decorative technique known as “false half-timbering” harks back to medieval building methods and is responsible for the distinctive…

Early spring’s crisp air and afternoon sunshine lure us outdoors for fun with our four-legged friends. From Marymoor to Magnuson, a plethora of dog-friendly parks offer options for open running and playtime: and leashed, leisurely strolls through the neighborhood are a daily delight. The Brits have long brought doggie love elements into their dwellings. Want…

No question: Their original remodel, at the tail-end of the 1990s, went slightly awry. First, the homeowners inherited an architect from their general contractor. This led to a series of misadventures; including discovering during one site visit that the window in the master bathroom was set too high to enjoy the scenic water views while…

In a design studio on Vashon Island, Peter Scott is cooking up solutions to big problems. His company, Burn Design Lab, is on a mission to reduce global warming and respiratory illness by creating highly efficient and affordable stoves that can replace the open-fire cooking pits used in developing countries. Those pits pump out emissions…

Craftsman homes first started appearing in Seattle around 1900 as an offshoot of the British Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized the handmade over the mass-produced, and design simplicity over the ornate Victorian homes of the era. Found in neighborhoods all across Seattle, especially Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, Leschi, West Seattle and Wallingford, the Craftsman…

What’s the purpose of the split down the middle of Henrybuilt’s Wood Bench 3? “It helps the seat to hug your bottom,” says Lisa Day, Seattle-based Henrybuilt’s director of marketing. The split divides the bench into two long slabs of wood, which angle down slightly toward the center, making it more comfortable than a standard…

Beth Evans-Ramos doesn’t want to ignite your envy. But on winter’s frostiest days, the 2,000-square-foot house in Shoreline where she lives with her husband is as cozy as a thick Irish sweater, and it comes with a heating bill that rarely rises above $55 a month—even in the middle of winter. “It’s like magic,” she…