May 2014

Five Real Road Trips That Will Inspire you to Pack Up the Car and Go

Five Real Road Trips That Will Inspire you to Pack Up the Car and Go

Hit the road on one of these trips, featuring the best routes, roadside cafes and places to stay

!–paging_filter–h3img src=”/sites/default/files/newfiles/large_0514_roadtrip_eastern-washington_0.jpg” style=”float: left; margin: 10px;” height=”180″ width=”180″1. a href=”http://\/\/seattlemag.com/article/real-road-trips-eastern-washington” target=”_blank”Power through Eastern Washington/a/h3pby Pipo Bui Sebastian Simsch brbrbrbrbrbrbrbr/ph3img src=”/sites/default/files/newfiles/large_0514_roadtrip_ore.jpg” style=”float: left; margin: 10px;” height=”180″ width=”180″2. a href=”http://\/\/seattlemag.com/article/real-road-trips-discover-oregons-outback” target=”_blank”Explore Oregon’s Outback/a/h3pby Jenny Cunninghambrbrbr/ph3brbrbrbrimg src=”/sites/default/files/newfiles/large_0514_roadtrip_olympic.jpg” style=”float: left; margin: 10px;” height=”180″ width=”180″3. a href=”http://\/\/seattlemag.com/article/real-road-trips-weekend-jaunt-olympic-…” target=”_blank”Lodge-hop on the Olympic Peninsula/a/h3pby Kristen Russellbrbrbr/ph3brbrbrbrimg src=”/sites/default/files/newfiles/large_0514_roadtrip_heritage.jpg” style=”float: left; margin: 10px;” height=”180″…

Real Road Trips: The Mega, Family-Friendly California Coast Journey

Real Road Trips: The Mega, Family-Friendly California Coast Journey

Twenty days, 3,500 miles, dozens of Dairy Queens

!–paging_filter–pWhether it’s the bird-watcher in me or the delusion of leaving little to chance, I have always gravitated toward detailed itineraries when I travel. And when I say detailed, I mean reserved hotels for every night, minute-by-minute estimates for destination arrivals, driving directions, daily mileage counters, weather predictions and, of course, Dairy Queen locators by…

Real Road Trips: The Historic Trip

Real Road Trips: The Historic Trip

Hit historic back roads for a closer look at some of the oldest communities in Seattle’s backyard

!–paging_filter–pA well-concealed (OK, probably entirely unknown) perk of being married to a historic preservationist is that the opportunity to travel off the beaten path to fascinating places under the guise of work comes up often. It also brings a new appreciation for places that aren’t so exotic or far-flung but are nonetheless fascinating. For his…

Real Road Trips: A Weekend Jaunt to the Olympic Peninsula

Real Road Trips: A Weekend Jaunt to the Olympic Peninsula

Three days, two raincoats and a giant spruce

!–paging_filter–pstrongimg src=”/sites/default/files/newfiles/0514_roadtrip_olymap.jpg” style=”float: left; margin: 10px;” height=”450″ width=”358″Day 1: Peninsula Bound/strongbrFrom time to time, even the most true-blue Seattleite will weary of the ceaseless lowering clouds and head for sunny climes—but that’s just not us. Seeking stormy beaches for a weekend getaway, my boyfriend and I headed out for weekend sulk in Olympic National Park…

Real Road Trips: Discover Oregon's Outback

Real Road Trips: Discover Oregon’s Outback

A nine-day tour of eastern Oregon

!–paging_filter–pI’ve been on board a Palomino named Daisy for so long, I’m afraid to get down, because I won’t be able to get back up again. I haven’t peed in nine hours and I share that information with Kara, the gal riding next to me. She says, “Yeah, I know how you feel,” then energetically…

Real Road Trips: Eastern Washington

Real Road Trips: Eastern Washington

A six-day tour of eastern Washington

!–paging_filter–pWe’d lived for several years in Seattle, but barely been outside the city—and never east—and we’d heard things were “different” over yonder. So during our sons’ spring break, we lit out for our first-ever road trip as a family, with a loose agenda, an old-fashioned atlas, a willingness to take Yelp advice and plenty of…

Ikea Seattle, Room  Board and More Must-Shop National Stores

Ikea Seattle, Room Board and More Must-Shop National Stores

Bigger rarely means better, but we found plenty to praise at local outposts of these national stores

Once upon a time, a home item from Nordstrom basically meant a nice chunk of crystal from its gift store. Now, the Bellevue and Seattle locations (downtown, 500 Pine St., 206.628.2111; Bellevue Square, 100 Bellevue Square; 425.455.580) have a bona fide home collection, Nordstrom at Home, boasting everything from sweet Lamp-in-a-Box table lamps ($38) to…

Rustic Meets Hipster in these Seattle Home Decor Shops

Rustic Meets Hipster in these Seattle Home Decor Shops

!–paging_filter–pButter Home (Capitol Hill, 1531 Melrose Ave.; 206.623.2626;a href=”http://www.butterhomeseattle.com” target=”_blank” butterhomeseattle.com/a) might be small (at 300 square feet) and tucked away in the Melrose Market loft, but it’s mighty cool. Current crowd-pleasers: Sheepshead Design’s screen prints ($20–$60) on reclaimed wood by Philip Sachs, and pendant lamps with exposed filament bulbs ($45), popularized when Butter began…

Where to Shop if Your Style Leans Mod

Where to Shop if Your Style Leans Mod

Alchemy Collections (downtown, 2029 Second Ave.; 206.448.3309) has a diverse mix of mod furnishings, including the indoor/outdoor Alchemia dining chair ($319 and up), which comes in some knockout neon shades. From David Trubridge’s groovy geometric sphere pendants (starting at $340) to the minimalistic magnetic organizing elements by Seattle’s Three By Three Click! Design That Fits…

The Best Consignment Stores in Seattle

The Best Consignment Stores in Seattle

If your taste runs toward the high end, but your budget doesn’t, consignment shopping for home furnishings is where it’s at. Not only can you find deals galore at these shops, but you can sell your own gently used furniture to offset the price of your new-to-you pieces. Consignment stores tend to offer a varied…

Where to Find Antiques and Oddities Around Seattle

Where to Find Antiques and Oddities Around Seattle

If you’re looking to furnish your home with eccentric and unusual conversation pieces, add these stores to your shopping list. Find taxidermy, medical antiques and fraternal order ephemera at The Belfry (309A Third Ave. S; 206.682.2951) in Pioneer Square. Owners Christian and Jessica Harding have a keen eye for the eerie, spooky and downright unearthly….

Stores in Seattle that Stock all the Midcentury Modern Stunners

Stores in Seattle that Stock all the Midcentury Modern Stunners

Where to score your Eames, Nelson and Starck in Seattle

!–paging_filter–pAs well as a comely collection of contemporary modern pieces—from Blu Dot to Kartell—Chartreuse Modern (Belltown, 2609 First Ave.; 877.328.4844; a href=”http://www.chartreusemodern.com” target=”_blank”chartreusemodern.com/a) shows an eclectic field of midcentury pieces, from accessories, such as a sky-blue Holmegaard vase carafe ($159), to chairs, such as an Eero Saarinen–designed side chair ($325), still bearing its Knoll production…