The newest decorating ideas, gardening tips, and lifestyle guide to Whidbey Island, 2018.

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Home staging

Creating the real estate dream could mean tens of thousands of dollars more

How you present your home in the real estate market can have a direct impact on how much money ends up in your pocket. For professional stager Mikel Peabody, preparing for a real estate sale is about taking a home and making it a house. “A home functions, a house does not,” Peabody said. “It’s the littlest things that make the biggest difference,” “The home is a work horse, it often doesn’t get the love it deserves.”

said. “She’s not really a stager, she’s a designer.” The two-woman team works hand-inhand, going room-to-room taking out the personal, de-cluttering and creating that dream. Peabody may rearrange furniture, taking an item from one room and moving it to another. She may take items that would be considered clutter and present it in an intentional way. “Take people’s tchotchkes and turn them into collections,” she said.

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Annie Cash holds a painting in place while Mikel Peabody evaluates its placement in a master bedroom staging recently in Oak Harbor.

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the personal, accenting the luxury and giving potential buyers a dream. “You’re selling the boutique dream, that spa experience,” Peabody said. When working with a professional, they stage your home for the real estate photos that bring potential buyers. For real estate agent Annie Cash, Peabody is her go-to. Staging correctly can mean the difference of tens of thousands of dollars for a seller, Peabody and Cash said. Staged homes tend to sell more quickly. “Mikel is the be all, end all,” she

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a professional to get their homes camera ready. With a few tricks of the trade, they too can turn their home into someone else’s dream. When staging for real estate photos, usually one room is designated for a catch all. These are usually a spare bedroom or garage. Never the “money” rooms such as the master, bathrooms or the kitchen.

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Things to hide away: • Personal photos/items (i.e. items with your name on them) • Hygiene items • Personalized shower curtains • Items with a very distinct style “We know they brush their teeth,” Cash said. “But we don’t need to see it in the photos.”

PEABODY AND CASH move through a house, making sure

towels match and are folded properly, chrome sparkles and lines are clean. Personal items and clutter get shoved in drawers or moved to the spare room. Beds are made, pillows are fluffed and blinds are set all the same way with cords coiled and setting on the windowsill. “The camera likes symmetry,” Peabody said. Because of this and that real estate photos are shot in a specific setting that picks up even the tiniest wrinkle, Peabody usually carries a steam iron with her to jobs. Among her “staging kit,” Peabody also carries other essentials items including: • Lightbulbs (all different kinds) • Zip ties (for those unsightly electrical cables) • Shop towels (for cleaning and bringing that “critical” sparkle) • At least two matching lamps • Mirrors Having someone come in and stage your home while you’re living in it can be a difficult process, Peabody said. Some people may have a hard time with change or even take offense to changes to their design. Homeowners shouldn’t take it personally. “It’s either a home or a house,” Peabody said. “It’s either a place you love and are still attached to or it’s an asset you want to get the most money you can from.”

Pushing furniture up against the wall can actually give the appearance a room is smaller than it actually is, Peabody said. In a kitchen, avoid putting out towels because it takes away from the luxury illusion you’re trying to set and could make potential homebuyers think of work. Clocks also have the same effect.

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Community arts By Evan Thompson

It took a village to start the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) and it takes a community to keep it going. Good thing it has the latter well in hand. The purpose of WICA, a nonprofit organization located in Langley, is to provide dynamic art opportunities and high quality performances that expose residents and students to local and nationally recognized artists, musicians, literary works and authors, according to Deana Duncan, programming and production director. It also gives the community the opportunity to be part of in-house, full-scale theater productions. Between October and June, there are over 100 performances in the 246-seat theatre, requiring 350-400 volunteers in a variety of positions. There’s no sign of things slowing down either. “WICA has seen continued growth in popularity and viability every year,” Duncan said.

WICA opened its doors in May 1996 after a decade-long grass roots community effort led by a consortium of artists, business people and local families. It features programming for five specific art forms: music, theater, dance, literary and visual arts. There are also staple events that cover all genres, including “very popular” political series lectures. The organization’s mission of providing variety to patrons is what puts it in a league of its own, Duncan said. “I think it’s pretty unique,” Duncan said. “There aren’t a lot of art centers across the country. There’s theaters that do shows a lot, but not many full art centers. I think we’re a pretty special and unique breed.” The WICA season includes the Theatre Series, Local Artist Series, Literary Series, Family Series, Piano Series, Special Events, DjangoFest NW, One-Act Fest NW and art exhibitions in its Lasher Gallery. WICA’s Conservatory building also provides educational classes and

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Community arts workshops year round. DjangoFest NW is WICA’s signature event. It’s the largest gypsy jazz music festival in the country and features the genre’s top artists from around the world, Duncan said. Naturally, it draws patrons from around the world, too, and is a consistent tourist boon for the city. “The festival is also an economic boost to local tourism and is well supported by Langley and Whidbey Island,” Duncan said. DjangoFest NW is set for Sept. 19-23, 2018. Recent capital campaigns added a second performance space, The Black Box Theater, as well as a rehearsal hall, large dressing rooms and a scene shop to build sets. WICA used to build its sets outside. “That allowed us to become a stronger producer,” Duncan said. “Presenting is when you bring in acts. Producing is when you build the acts. When we first opened, we were just presenting. Then we started producing.” Educational opportunities offered by WICA are based “around creating opportunity” for as much participation as possible, Duncan said. WICA’s Family Series, which presents cultural performances and exposure to art forms, is one of the longest running

“arts in education” programs in the South Whidbey School District. Funding for arts in education programs has dwindled for students, just as school districts are receiving less and less money from the state. Duncan said educational opportunities offered by WICA are all the more important and can be “a crucial addition to school curriculum for this age group.” “As our school district has no budget to bring artists into the schools, it is a part of our mission to provide arts exposure to our youth,” Duncan said. WICA offers educational events throughout the year with workshops, from stagecraft to intern positions. Stacie Burgua, WICA’s executive director, is also retiring in August after 22 years at the helm. A search for her replacement is underway.

Liam Henny played El Gallo in “The Fantastiks,” one of hundreds of shows performed in 2017. WICA , a nonprofit organization has offered community arts programs for 22 years.

Island Home Living | 7

Whidbey’s hoppin’ brewery scene By Laura Guido

Thirsty hop enthusiasts can rejoice for there’s plenty abrewing on Whidbey Island. Taprooms and breweries can be found on the South, Central and North parts of the island, all with plenty of popular beverages to choose from. Tucked away on Cultus Bay Road in Clinton is the recently-expanded, but still small, Ogre Brewing. Owners Royce Baker and Adam Jackson have been brewing commercially for three years, but the tasting room was just added last spring. “We’ve just been slowly growing ever since,” Baker said. The duo brew because of their love for beer and science, he said, and work with experimental small batches. At the time of this interview, Baker said they were working on brewing with maple syrup and had plans to use candy cap mushrooms in another batch. There are usually eight beers on tap, all

made by Ogre. Their Blonde Ogress (female ogre) and Cascade IPA are popular at the tasting room. The owners hope to start having events and concerts at the kid- and pet-friendly establishment. Be sure to plan ahead before visiting the tasting room, which is only open Thursday through Saturday, 3-7 p.m. Over in Langley, Double Bluff Brewery is hidden away on Anthes Avenue. The establishment is also on the small side but boasts a fairly large patio for the warmer months. All nine of the available beers at the taproom are brewed in-house, according to the website. Daniel Thomis and his wife Marissa founded the company in 2015 after moving to Whidbey Island from Boston. Former biologist/chemist Daniel Thomis was a home brewer for almost 20 years and he and Marissa felt they could fill the gaping brewery void in Langley. Kids

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Whidbey brewing and dogs are also welcomed at Double Bluff, which has varied hours depending on the season. A fairly new brewery and taproom is in the mix in Oak Harbor. Some may be familiar with Whidbey Island Homebrew Supply, but many don’t know that at the back Wicked Teuton Brewing Company is serving up 14 brewed-in-house beers. “Some think of us as a home-brew store with a taproom in the back,” said owner and brewer Terry Boese. “We’re trying to change that. We want to be a taproom with a home-brew store on the side.” His self-described “nano-brewery” serves up the (intended) end product of the store’s home-brew recipe kits. His customers frequently try to imitate the Amber’s Hot Friend and Incredible Irish Red, albeit with mixed success. “I’ve got some secrets that I’ll share to some people if they ask,” Boese said. The IPAs This American Life and Arthur Dent’s Inter-galactic, are particularly popular and consistently sell out. Boese said at the time of the interview, one of his last batches of Arthur Dent’s sold out in less than 10 days. Free peanuts, pretzels and popcorn are available to enjoy while sipping. Hungrier patrons have access to menus for local businesses that will deliver to the taproom.

With food, a shelf full of board games and the occasional event like paint and sip or open mic night, one can stay entertained. Or, like all these locations, the beer alone is worth an evening (or day) out. Those who want a full brewpub experience can head to Flyers Restaurant and Brewery in Oak Harbor. The largest brewery on the island doesn’t lack an attention to detail with its beer that consistently wins awards at the national and international level. The Pace Maker Porter and Barnstormer Brown ale are the biggest winners, according to co-owner Tony Savoy, and the After Burner IPA is always a best seller in the restaurant. Attendees of MusselFest might also be familiar with the Penn Cove Pilsner, something that became so popular it is going to be made year-round. Flyers often hosts beer gardens for large events on the island, Savoy said. The proceeds from these beer gardens usually go to local nonprofit organizations. “We try and give back to the community as much as we can,” he said. Whidbey Island’s growing brewery scene offers food, entertainment, conversations with people who love their jobs, and, best of all, great beer.

Above: Robert Ferguson, brewer at Flyers Restaurant and Brewery, makes the brewery’s Copper Hog Red Ale. Right: Tucker English, an intern at Flyers Restaurant and Brewery, washes one of the tanks.

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Whidbey’s green thumb

Navigating island’s unique climate By Patricia Guthrie Garden clubs, garden meetings, garden workshops and master gardeners seem to pollinate like hungry bees up and down Whidbey Island. Every large community has its own garden club — Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Green Bank, South Whidbey — whose members keep parks and streets fresh with seasonal blooms. The clubs also plan annual garden tours of local homes and bring in speakers from near and far to lead workshops in all kinds of topics — landscaping, pest management, ornamental grasses, raised bed vegetable gardens, growing roses and even hanging a bat house. “We have between 50 to 100 members,” said Debi Seglin of the Coupeville Garden Club that meets the first Thursday

of the month at Coupeville Rec Hall. “Most of the members now are new to the island and not experienced gardeners. That’s fine. We say, ‘come, join and learn with us.’”

Whidbey Island is regarded as Climate Zone 5 by the Sunset Western Garden Book. Its maritime air is pure, moist and reminiscent of a Mediterranean climate, which is why lovely lavender thrives. The region is also known for its rhododendrons, Japanese maples and rock garden plants. Washington State Extension of Island County could be called the queen bee of local gardening. It provides the training for master gardeners and leads the program from its Coupeville office. “Exploding” is how master gardener

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Portable gardens using large pots allow for year-round color and foliage and line many island decks. Sharon Edberg described the current gardening scene on Whibdey. She pointed to the annual Whidbey Gardening Workshop, held every March at Oak Harbor High School, that sold out of $45 tickets three weeks before the event — a first in its 32 years. “We have so many garden clubs, so many nurseries, so many ways to learn about gardening here,” Edberg said. Presented by the Island County Master Gardener Foundation, it attracts greenthumbers from all over the region. The more than 50 classes are aimed at all levels of gardeners with a recent emphasis on tips for newcomers, either to the island or the hobby. Vanca Lumsden of Freeland often leads a workshop called, “Gardening from the Ground Up.” “There are many people on Whidbey who are absolutely marvelous gardeners,” she said. “But for those who are just starting out, I tell them there’s only two things you need as you walk around your yard — a coffee cup in the morning and wine glass in the evening.”

She’s recommends the technique so the want-to-be grower learns to observe what grows naturally, how the sunlight slants and where shade is prevalent. How to grow — and keep healthy — all kinds of flowers, succulents, shrubs, fruit trees, vegetables, grasses and ground cover are just a few of the topics covered by trained master gardeners who sustain their own county hotline.

South Whidbey Tilth specializes in sustainability, leading classes in choosing the best seeds and sowing methods for the local climate. At its Sunday farmers’ market, Tilth often offers demonstrations and encourages people to bring in excess bounty, such as squash, potatoes and carrots to sell at a communal booth. “Rather than putting it on your neighbor’s porch in the middle of the night, drop it off at our booth on Saturday or Sunday,” said Ida Gianopulos. She works CONTINUED ON 11

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from late March to September and are scheduled on different days in different locations so there’s always a place for fresh veggies, fruit and other homemade goodies Thursdays through Sundays. Increasingly, more folk are plucking dinner, or parts of it, from their own homegrown produce. Some parts of the island also report their community pea patches are full with names on waiting lists. Even elementary schoolchildren play in the dirt, learning about soil, compost, planting, watering and picking their bounty from school gardens.

“More and more people are

adding edibles into their home gardens,” said Molly Heggenes, co-owner of Venture Out Nursery in Clinton. “It’s the trend of farm-to-table concept. Also, keeping things as natural as possible but still having a pretty landscape with a defined look and low maintenance is popular.” Whidbey’s large population of retired folk is also taking to gardening that doesn’t involve bending, stooping or mucking about on hands and knees. Local nurseries report brisk sales on raised table gardens that allow standing or sitting and container gardens. More and more, multiple large pots for growing small patches of herbs, lettuce and other salad tidbits are popping up on porches. Keeping produce off the ground also foils Whidbey’s most pesky critters — deer and rabbits. “The No. 1 problem is dealing with the over-population of deer,” Heggenes said. “The second one is rabbits.” Langley has its own “special” kind of breeding bunnies, supposedly the result of two escapees from the fair’s 4-H exhibit many years and ears ago. They are notorious nibblers of veggie gardens and love to leave behind burrowing holes, their signature sign.

But lots of hutches of wild rabbits also live in the forests, ferns and front yards around Whidbey. “Having a fenced-in garden that is rabbit proof is the only solution,” Heggenes said. “It can be a real challenge to deal with the bunnies around here.”

Top: Molly Heggenes, co-owner of Venture Out Nursery in Clinton, prepares for spring flower sales. Bottom right: Budding blossoms at Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, a peaceful woodland spot open year-round with a nursery, concerts and four miles of walking paths. Bottom left: The home of Patti Lang, south of Deception Pass, was part of the 2017 Oak Harbor Garden Club Tour. She roamed her property’s 30 acres and selected only native plants to design her terraced, sloped front. “If it’s intended to grow in the wild, it’s intended to grow here,” she said.

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Mix and match

2018 design ideas to refresh, refocus you home Are you planning to refresh your home but aren’t sure where to start? Some of today’s most popular design trends encourage mixing and matching favorite home accents within the same space.

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Coordinating complementary pieces creates a cohesive feel to the home. It can also reinforce a unique style because the ultimate outcome is a custom design. Here are a few ways to master the mix and match trend. MIX MONOCHROMATIC ACCENTS Tone-on-tone designs are very popular in kitchens, bathrooms, entryways and living areas. Countertops, cabinets and home accents in varying shades of grays and creams can create a sophisticated statement. These tones pair perfectly with gold, brass or brushed nickel finishes.

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DESIGN WITH DUAL TONES Mixed metals or dual tones are on-trend and very popular in home design today. This look can be achieved through mixing fixtures with different, but complementary finishes. For example, Progress Lighting offers fixtures that feature finishes with contrasting accents, such as antique bronze and brass, antique bronze and natural brass or polished nickel with silver ridge -- adding visual interest.

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PENDANT GROUPINGS Pendant groupings are commonly used in a foyer, over a kitchen island or above a dining room table. These versatile fixtures can be mixed and matched to create a custom cluster design for a statement-making look.

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Whidbey’s music scene A guide to where to go to see musicians play live

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WICKED TEUTON BREWING COMPANY at 1341 SW Barlow Street in Oak Harbor has occasional acoustic nights where patrons are welcome to play their own music. There are guitars on the walls anyone can pick up.

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THE PRIMA BISTRO at 201 1/2 Street in Langley has a jazz saxophonist who will play occasionally. RUSTICA at 670 SE Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor has a Sunday Jazz Brunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and live music most Saturday nights

THE PENN COVE TAPROOM at 103 S. Main Street in Coupeville offers live music, often rock music, on Friday and Saturday nights and even has a “house band,” Mussel Flats.

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OTT AND MURPHY WINES at 204 1st Street in Langley has live music 7-9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night. About 80 percent of the concerts are by local musicians and the rest are from the

BLOOMS WINERY at 5603 Bayview Road in Langley has live music on Fridays from 6-8 p.m. and Sunday afternoons 3-5 p.m. The second and fourth Thursdays are open mic days from 6-8 p.m. There’s outdoor seating when the weather is good.

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THE MACHINE SHOP on Second Street in Langley offers live music on the first Saturday of each month from 7-10 p.m.

from 7-9 p.m. The music is by local bands and is described as “bluesy, folksy Americano.”

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THE TAPROOM at Bayview Corner at 5603 Bayview Road on South Whidbey has live music from local bands Saturdays from 8-10 p.m.

Seattle area. They play jazz, pop; rock, blues and a little bit of everything, including an occasional troupe of comedians.

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BAILEY’s CORNER at 7695 Cultus Bay Road in Clinton has an open mic and jam session each Tuesday and occasional bands and musicians.

CIAO at 701 Main Street in Coupeville offers live music on various nights of the week.

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* Manufacturer’s mail-in rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made 4/12/16 – 6/27/16 from participating dealers in the U.S. only. Offer excludes Nantucket™ Window Shadings, a collection of Silhouette® Window Shadings. Rebate will be issued in the form of a prepaid reward card and mailed within 6 weeks of rebate claim receipt. Funds do not expire. Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card Like us on: balance 7 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. Additional limitations may apply. Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. © 2016 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners.

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* Manufacturer’s mail-in rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made 4/12/16 – 6/27/16 from participating dealers in the U.S. only. Offer excludes Nantucket™ Window Shadings, a collection of Silhouette® Window Shadings. Rebate will be issued in the form of a prepaid reward card and mailed within 6 weeks of rebate claim receipt. Funds do not expire. Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card balance 7 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. Additional limitations may apply. Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. © 2016 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners.

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North Puget Sound Association of Realtors 2017 AWARDS

Every year, the North Puget Sound Association of Realtors® honors a select group of outstanding people from the membership and the greater community. We are proud to recognize these leaders for their dedication to their industry and their contributions to the communities they serve, protection of private property rights, education, fundraising and other charitable work.

Realtor Community Service Award

Rookie of The Year

Dominic Pettruzzelli

Heather Bergen

Keller Williams Western Realty

Keller Williams Western Realty

Award of Excellence Recipients The “Award of Excellence” is a service provided to the members of the North Puget Sound Association of REALTORS® for the purpose of honoring members of the Association who have achieved certain and specific high standards of qualification. The “Award of Excellence” is to recognize REALTORS® for their outstanding contributions to the Association and the real estate community.

Gold Award Recipients Debbie Macy

Windermere Real Estate Anacortes

Elizabeth Miller

Windermere Skagit Valley Mount Vernon

Kathi Phillips

RE/MAX Acorn Properties Oak Harbor

Carla Fischer

Skagit Tradition Realty Mount Vernon

Dominic Pettruzzelli

Keller Williams Western Burlington

Bronze Award Recipients

Silver Award Recipients Heather Berger

Keller Williams Western Realty

Karen Petersen John L. Scott Anacortes

Sara Fish

Preview Properties Skagit, LLC

Designated Broker Gold Award Recipients

Alisha Legaspi

Remaxx Acorn Properties, Oak Harbor

Team Bronze Award Recipients Dayna Wolf

Skagit Tradition Realty Mount Vernon

14 | Island Home Living

Paul Weisz

Windermere Real Estate Anacortes

Terri Neilon

RE/MAX Acorn Properties Oak Harbor

Paige & Tony Bates RE/MAX Acorn Properties Oak Harbor

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Do more with fiber optics! Join with many of your neighbors in Langley, Bayview, Freeland, and Clinton who have already signed up for The Big Gig internet with Whidbey Telecom. Stream movies at the same time you are checking your stocks online. Work from your Whidbey home without the commute. Call us today to install The Big Gig.

WHY CHOOSE THE BIG GIG® FROM WHIDBEY TELECOM?

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1651 MAIN ST. IN FREELAND Get the fastest, most reliable Internet available on Whidbey today.

THE BIG GIG DIFFERENCE: NO DATA CAPS & NO CONTRACT *Available in select areas of South Whidbey. The Big Gig internet residential service is $70/month. One HOP WiFi unit is $10/month. Additional HOP WiFi units are $5/month. Pricing subject to change. Actual speed of your service will depend on a number of factors. Certain other restrictions may apply.

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