Summertime Blues | A Collection of My Favorite Backyards

“Summertime. It was a song. It was a season. I wondered if that season would ever live inside of me.”

— Bejamin Alire Saenz, Last Night I Sang to the Monster

I’m a sunshine girl, so the Pacific Northwest summers are when I come alive. I love being in my backyard and I stay outside waiting for all of my fairy lights to blink on as the stars come out. So I have a soft spot for a charming porch, delightful patio, fire pit and decks. And if they’re staged and beautifully photographed, I want to crawl through my computer screen and relax! Here are a few of my favorites from my amazing clients this year:

8630 NE Juanita Drive, Kirkland
Listed by Marilisa Vergottini, Marketplace Sotheby’s International Realty

↑ This breathtaking retreat is nestled just off of Juanita Beach, one of the first dwellings built in this area. Set on over an acre of private, creek-side land, this property is a veritable recreational retreat. Enjoy everything that the Pacific Northwest has to offer, right at your doorstep. Relax in the hot tub under the night sky, zipline over Champagne Creek, or swing in your hammock beneath a canopy of lush greenery. Roast marshmallows around the firepit, walk the dogs through your property's private trails and enjoy hypnotic views of Lake Washington from the main and upper floors.

4731 36th Avenue SW, Seattle
Listed by Matt Martel, RE/MAX Northwest

↑ I love everything about this backyard; from the cozy kids play area and jungle gym, to the stunning stonework to the lovingly landscaped garden spaces. This backyard offers a myriad of entertaining spaces to grill out, roast marshmallows and enjoy the summer sun.

7573 NE Emerald Way, Bainbridge Island
Listed by Jenn Herrman, Windermere Real Estate

↑ The tongue-and-groove hardwoods on this porch - even across the ceiling and matching sideboards - create a warmth and classic ambiance that is an absolute treasure to behold. This luscious backyard is packed full of flowers and I need a glass of wine in the backyard ASAP.

6048 34th Avenue NE, Seattle
Listed by Mike McRae, Marketplace Sotheby’s International Realty

↑ And speaking of “cozy”, curling up in this vintage backyard with a cup of coffee and a good book is a must. I can’t wait to see what the new owners do to create a party hub in the backyard.

Hygge | A Danish Concept for Seattle Winters

“Pronounced “hoo-ga,” this Danish concept cannot be translated to one single word but encompasses a feeling of cozy contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life.”

I survived twelve winters in the bitter cold of Chicago, and it’s nothing compared to the frigidness of the Pacific Northwest; it’s a wet chill that seeps into your bones and makes you nearly ache from the chill sometimes.

I’m a sunshine girl, so the winters can be a struggle. For me, the Seattle winters mean that it’s time to settle into a hot tubby filled with bubbles and soak my cares away while getting my temperature back up to normal. That being said, I have a soft spot for a nice bathroom that is staged and photographed in such a way that I want to crawl through my computer screen and into the tub! Here are a few of my favorites from my amazing clients this year:

820 Blanchard Street 1005, Seattle
Sold by Mary Nelson, Kathy Madsen & Parker Johnson

↑ Condos have a unique kind of luxurious living high above the rest of the world. It’s a space filled with magic. This stunning condo in the coveted Enso building is an elegant space that invites you to enjoy the views while offering a safe and relaxing space to unwind.

1024 West Bothwell Street, Seattle
Sold by Olga Dyckman

↑ I love the depth of this tub, the views from the bedroom, and the separation of the actual toilet, creating a area that is fully luxurious, and protective of the space.

8323 NE 110th Place, Kirkland
Sold by Marilisa Vergottini

↑ The tub in this Kirkland home is so deep and wide you have to step up to step in. (This is where I swoon…) This bathroom needs candles lit and a glass of wine in hand immediately.

1915 Interlaken Drive. East, Seattle
Listed by Nancy Klink | View More at InterlakenDriveManor.com

↑ And speaking of “hygge”, curling up in this vintage tub while the fireplace roars in your bedroom? Absolute heaven. And this isn’t even the Master Bedroom at Interlaken Drive Manor - this is the second master/extensive guest suite! This space requires a Jane Austin novel and a hot toddie!