Madrona: Best Seattle Neighborhoods 2013
An in-city neighborhood that feels like a leafy village.
By Seattle Mag April 3, 2013
Technically, I don’t live in Madrona. I live in neighboring Denny Blaine, the tiny sliver of a ’hood whose biggest claim to fame is being where Kurt Cobain killed himself. But I strongly identify as a Madroner, because Madrona is where I walk to get coffee every morning; Madrona is where my husband and I grab Thai takeout most Monday nights; and Madrona is where I take long walks and jump into Lake Washington on hot days. Madrona is where I buy and consign my clothes, purchase perfect gifts, eat too many cupcakes (hello, Cupcake Royale), ditto ice cream (curse you, Molly Moon) and spend summer evenings sipping wine on the lovely Bottlehouse deck. Madrona offers both the friendliness of a small town and the convenient indulgences of the big city. With apologies to Mr. Denny and Mr. Blaine, Madrona is where I truly live.
Don’t miss: Refillable wine growlers at Bottlehouse, lemon currant scones at Hi Spot, panang curry at Naam Thai, sweet consigned finds at Driftwood, the backyard garden at St. Clouds, new seasonal pop-up décor shop Studio Montagne and the dolmas at Bistro Turkuaz.
Go-to for out-of-town guests: Peeking into the Glassybaby hot shop is a sure-fire (get it?) crowd pleaser.
Famous for: The Seattle Black Panthers were headquartered in Madrona for 10 years and are referenced in “The Peaceable Kingdom,” a sculpture by Richard Beyer (of “Waiting for the Interurban” fame) installed outside the Madrona Public Library, which gives the neighborhood its motto. The panther represents the Black Panthers, the pig portrays the police, the sheep represent the elderly residents, and the wolf symbolizes the street toughs—all living (in an ideal past) peaceably together.
Brangien Davis is the Seattle mag arts and culture editor, who has lived in Madrona (well, very close by) since 2010
Follow Us
Coasting Into Calm
After purchasing a weather-worn, ant-infested cabin on an Oregon beach, a Seattle couple hires a regional team to transform it into a stylish weekend retreat.
When architect Andrew Montgomery first pulled up to his clients’ house in Arch Cape, Oregon, there were logs in the driveway, courtesy of the sizable swells that come with the coast’s king tides. At just 28 feet above sea level and as close as you can get to the water without being on the beach,…
Blueprints for Building Community
After tragedy struck a local restaurateur family, one of their daughters stepped in to complete the design for her brother’s unfinished home.
Although he was just 35 when a heart attack took his life, Khoa Pham’s imprint on Seattle’s international district was such that the city quickly designated April 21 as a memorial day in his honor. With his rescue pitbull, Pinky, by his side, Pham cut a colorful figure through Little Saigon and became well known…
Tuft Stuff
Tuft Ruft turns fiber art into a social, hands-on experience in Pioneer Square.
It all started with a bout of pandemic boredom. Like many, when COVID-19 hit, recent graduate Carrie Xiao found herself stuck at home, with extra time on her hands. One day, while scrolling social media, she discovered tufting: a textile manufacturing technique that creates a garment or rug with a “pile,” or raised surface. After…
Collaborating Cultures
Looking to build a home to welcome family and friends, one Kirkland couple turns to a sister to design a modern house with influences from the wife’s Thai heritage.
For many years, when homeowners planned to build or remodel, architects and designers advised them to think first and foremost about resale value. From the number of bedrooms to the materials, appliances, and finishes in the kitchens and bathrooms, homes were often treated solely as an investment, with an eye to future sales. In recent…