Residential Longings

Toured Around. By Giuliana

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:22:09 -0800

Here we are, in the city by the bay. My schoolgirl chum Giuliana has welcomed me into her home in San Francisco proper, and I am getting the local treatment.

Late lunch at Rose’s Cafe in Cow Hollow. Heavenly. Paired with wine.

Afterwards a stroll down Union Street with Luna the dog. Just like my girl Olive, Luna never forgets a place where someone gave her a treat. Union Street was vivid with color on this the grayest of days.

Then a drive around and up and down stupendous Pacific Heights.

Sunnier skies and warmer temperatures are predicted for tomorrow.

GBK.com Is All New Today!

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:50:35 -0800

Gerrard Beattie and Knapp is proud to announce our new website, empowering the consumer to find properties online, and learn much more about buying and selling real estate. Given the rapidly changing market and buyers’ reliance on the web to find a home, GBK.com has been developed to serve the needs of everyone involved.  Using revolutionary new technology, a detailed property search of all listed properties from all northwest brokers is easily navigated using the interactive map, simple list, or tile display. Compare listings and save your favorites to review later. Look for this week's Public Open Houses and map out your Sunday drive. View recent sales as well as listings currently pending so you can make the right decisions when making an offer or listing your house for sale.   In addition, the website gives advice on how to maneuver through issues like preparing your home for sale, making the successful offer, and financing decisions. At any time, a quick phone call or email will answer any questions you may have about a property or the website.  Visit www.gbk.com and see for yourself. You'll return again and again.

Dogs On The Street

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:57:11 -0800

I am fascinated with the way dogs socialize with one another. My girl Olive tends to be a little stand-offish when we pass another dog on the street; she most often makes a wide detour to the far side of the sidewalk, especially when she senses a dog is particularly alpha. With a less alpha dog, she will wait until it has just passed her by before edging in to catch a dainty whiff off its passing-by butt.

We meet all kinds.

Little dogs bark when they see her. She hates that.

Big dogs want to bound up and get all in her space. She’s not so keen on that either.

Once in a while Olive consents to a little fraternization, but it is pretty hard to turn her head.

I try to make up for my dog’s aloof behavior by being extra friendly to the dogs she snubs, like this big guy who was just beside himself with adoring eagerness. Olive would have nothing to do with him, though, and as you can see, he was crestfallen.

At The Elegant Gainsborough

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 20:51:30 -0800

My friend Andrew of yesterday’s fame is selling his beautiful apartment at the Gainsborough. How I adore the genteel and old-fashioned elegance of this art deco building, a landmark on First Hill.

In this unit, the original parquet floors are stained a glossy black, really making an entrance in the front hall.

Formal dining is a hallmark of the Gainsborough.

And I have always loved the traditional galley kitchen in these units which hearkens a time when someone else did the cooking. Luxurious and practical.

Find stunning views from this eleventh floor apartment, encompassing downtown, Lake Union, and the Cascade mountain range. Located on a tree-lined avenue, this is such fine urban living.

1017 Minor Avenue #1103, Seattle, WA
Asking Price $489,500.
Two bedrooms, one bath. 1187 square feet. Covered, secure parking for one car.

For more info and photos click here: MLS#3045.

On First Hill

Mon, 8 Mar 2010 17:07:54 -0800

Out for an afternoon stroll earlier, I came across an old acquaintance, Molly; she was out strolling, too. And she had brought along her man Andrew. He’s a tall drink of water. Here they are in front of their home at the Gainsborough on First HIll.

So much cuteness.

Oscar Pays A Visit

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 21:33:39 -0800

During the rest of the year, Oscar resides in a dignified though folded-up position in my storage locker. Today, though, I busted him out for a petite Oscar party at my place. This mainly consisted of very delicious Moet and Chandon and house made popcorn. I thought about donning my formal gown, but realized I looked pretty good for the venue and the crowd. What fun it all is, red carpet, Barbara Walters, et al.

Tonight, Six O’Clock

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 23:54:24 -0800

And we haven’t even begun Daylight Saving Time. One more week. Then this will be what
seven o’clock at night looks like.

Visiting The Books

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 19:55:50 -0800

Being at the book store makes my heart beat faster. So many possibilities! And I love it when things are alphabetized. It’s somehow really reassuring, isn’t it?

Fifth Floor Penthouse

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 23:00:12 -0800

In my building, the fifth floor is the top floor, thus, by all that is deemed proper and of accepted real estate parlance, here we are, a bunch of us girls, dining tonight in the penthouse at 1805 Bellevue.

We know during our entire visit that we are really lucky. It’s just one of those places in the world.

And this was before we heard astonishing stories.

Over cracked crab.

I believe that at the end of life we will be glad to have collected as many of these penthouse moments as possible.

In Bloom

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 22:56:49 -0800

I need to plant some color in the containers on my patio and down in my own little yard, but in the meantime, I am really grateful so much is blooming and in color right now, all over the place!

And also? There was still a little light in the sky right before seven p.m. this evening.

This is such a hopeful time of year.

Rush Hour

Tue, 2 Mar 2010 20:29:35 -0800

So I found myself at the Zig Zag bar when this evening began, sitting next to two sleekly beautiful young women visiting from Manhattan. They were curious, what is it like to live here? That was right after they assumed I must be from someplace else and seemed surprised when I said, “Why, I’m from Seattle.”

I still haven’t figured out why they had this wrong impression. A compliment? A slight? Camaraderie? Something to do with the dim lighting and the prescription strength cocktails?

Nevertheless, I felt like I was in a good position to say, dining! theater! music! the lush and wild and breathtaking Pacific Northwest!

Oh, and pretty darned mild 58 degree days in the winter time. Not snow. Just to emphasize.

I’m a booster.

Then one of these women said she was considering moving here and had been looking at property in Bothell, Kirkland, Renton. I said, “Oh dear, no, no, no.” And I gave her my card. I said, If you live in Seattle, you have to LIVE in Seattle. In a neighborhood. We have so many good ones!

I suggested she pick a neighborhood close to downtown (where a girl can easily walk right down Pine Street, for instance, and find herself in the always enchanting Pike Place Market). My gosh. Especially if you are coming from a big place like Manhattan.

Between the intoxicating charisma of the Zig Zag bar and the emphatic insistence of the local lady sitting next to them, I hope these women never again think of Seattle as Bothell, Kirkland, or Renton.

Sugar Shack

Mon, 1 Mar 2010 16:55:03 -0800

Though I’m not sure about where exactly is the sweet, this house from today’s Monday morning tour has been dubbed by some in my office as the Sugar Shack.

It really is a house, has always been a house, and a surfer lives here.

You will able to buy it for much less than $200,000 one day soon.

So that’s pretty sweet, I guess.

Plus, sometimes it’s diverting to imagine another life different from than the one you have.

Open House Greeter

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:21:29 -0800

Since Olive the Dog is such a gracious greeter, she makes people feel very welcome at an open house. Today, at 710 35th Avenue in Madrona, Olive got up to say hello to every one of the two dozen people who came through the door, which really takes the pressure off me. I get to let Olive be the charming one.

She made friends with and sidled right on up to this darling teen-aged girl who sat and waited near the front door while her father looked at the house.

And she finagled treats from the pocket of Jack Saver’s fourth grade teacher, the awesome Ann Gilpin.

I was very excited when one of the visitors offered to take a photo of me with my dog. When you are the girl with the camera, you hardly ever get photographed.

I told Olive that she has a job as my official greeter from now on and for as long as she wants it.

At Home On The Ice

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:57:10 -0800

Apolo Ohno gets my vote for most compelling Olympian at the 2010 Winter Olympics. I think any of the sports performed on ice are simply breathtaking. Except maybe curling. Not to demean curling. I know it’s popular in some quarters.

Oh, but SIGH. Apolo Ohno. Magnificent.

Her Majesty In Madrona

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:56:03 -0800

Special in every way! Like a queen, this 1907 landmark is enthroned on a high peak of the neighborhood for sweeping outlooks over Lake Washington.

Regally preserved with antique elegance.

Modernized to perfection.

Sited on two city lots, lots of wonderful living space, inside and out.

Enjoy a rare opportunity to view this stunning residence on Sunday, February 28th, 2-4 p.m.

710 35th Avenue, Seattle
Offered at $3,450,000
Five bedrooms, three and a half baths, four fireplaces
6700 interior square feet on a 12,720 square foot lot (two tax parcels)

For more info and photos: mls#27737

Right At Home

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:31:50 -0800

I didn’t used to let her, but recently Olive has been taking over this corner of the couch. She does always ask before climbing up, so at least she has maintained her lady-like manners. Somewhat.