Home April 18, 2023

Interior Design Trends and Home Decor Inspiration

Now that spring is officially here, it’s a great time to shake off the winter grays. Infuse your place with new accessories that reflect fun trends and fresh seasonal vibes. Depending on your go-to sources for interior design trends and home decor inspiration, you may discover conflicting information for recommended colors, styles, and overall looks. But never fear: we’ve pulled together the top trends everyone seems to agree on.

Go Blue

While some design experts are touting earth tones and others bold colors, everyone agrees that blue is in. Whether it’s muted blues or eye-popping ultramarine blue, bringing more blue into your home is a good thing. From painting guest bathrooms to full-on living spaces, blue is the way to go. And having more blue in your life has surprising benefits, such as relaxing your mind and improving creativity.

Artistic Lighting

Elevate any room with artistic lighting. Think of your lighting as art, something that has a practical function and also a beautiful form. Good Housekeeping lists statement lamps as a top interior design trend, while Vogue mentions statement glass, such as Murano glass chandeliers. Obviously, this includes a wide range of lighting choices with everything from bold lamps to exquisite internationally renowned light pieces. But the takeaway is that in 2023, it’s time to up your glow game. Add artistic lighting that elicits oohs and ahs for much more than its standard illumination function.

Floor Art

Similar to lighting, rugs can really impact a room. While neutral rugs aren’t going away, bold rugs are brightening the interior design scene. This includes rugs with vibrant saturated colors, daring designs, and fun patterns. To make a bold rug work, you have to examine a space carefully and take into consideration other aspects of the room. Think about what other fabrics in the room will go well with a bold rug. We suggest shopping locally at stores here on Bainbridge Island. Check out Company C rugs at Danger or these Dash and Albert bestsellers at Furnish Bainbridge.

Sustainable and Conversational

A common thread throughout new interior design trends are items that are sustainable and/or conversational. Oftentimes, these two things overlap. When it comes to sustainability, people are looking for new furniture and decor made from sustainable materials. This is becoming a bigger part of the purchasing conversation. Others are buying furniture that’s made to last by avoiding big box stores and investing in antiques.

This is where the conversational piece comes into play. Home decor that has a story is always more interesting, whether it’s a beautiful piece of art you purchased on a trip or a stunning dresser you found at your local antique store. Items you invest in with stories are more likely to last and be passed down to other members of your family who also love and feel a connection to that piece. So in 2023, think about what is sustainable and memorable. These carefully curated pieces will add beauty and personality to your home.

As you look at new interior design trends and home decor inspiration, you may also want to consider your home’s outdoor ambiance, especially as summer approaches. Check out these outdoor dining ideas as you prepare to entertain guests and enjoy warmer weather.

Community August 30, 2021

Enjoy Bainbridge’s Water Sports, Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Surrounded by amazing water-based activities, Bainbridge Island has no shortage of fun ways to enjoy island life. With convenient places to moor boats of all sizes and options for chartering tours, kayak rentals, scuba diving lessons, and Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP), there is something here for everyone. Below you’ll find a great list to get you started.  

Water Adventures

paddleboarding-bainbridge-island

Photo by Leo Phillips.

Exotic Aquatics

A great shop for water enthusiasts, Exotic Aquatics offers kayak and paddleboard rentals, and scuba classes and certification. For kayak and SUP, they offer rentals, guided tours, and purchases. For scuba diving, their offerings include classes, tours, and rentals. Additionally, they are a PADI 5-Star Training Facility. Their current kayak tour options include excursions to Blake Island and a full-moon paddle. 

Kayak and SUP Rentals: $23.50+ | Scuba Classes $79.95+

Sail Bainbridge

From two-hour excursions to multi-day overnight trips, Sail Bainbridge has been chartering tours for six years and offers private bookings for one to six people. These trips are a wonderful way to explore Bainbridge and beyond. Whether you’re new to the area or you have visitors to entertain, Sail Bainbridge is a fun way to experience our beautiful corner of the Pacific Northwest. Climb aboard the 44’ Pearson Countess Yacht named TRUE, and let their team do the rest. 

2-hour sail for 6: $395 | All-day sail for 6: $985

Waterfront Park and City Dock

Launch your next adventure from Waterfront Park, one of the most popular spots for recreation on Bainbridge. There is a boat launch and a trailer parking lot as well as a hand-launch for smaller vessels like kayaks and paddleboards. The 900-foot city dock is directly south of the park. The dock provides first-come-first-serve moorage for boats up to 70 feet. Open year-round, they also provide electricity and pump-out services. 

Launch and Trailer Parking $8/day or $80/year | Moorage $0.50/foot for 24 hours

Marinas and Yacht Clubs

eagle-harbor-boardwalk-bainbridge-island

Photo by Leo Phillips.

Eagle Harbor Marina

Located directly across from the Winslow Ferry Dock, the Eagle Harbor Marina is a convenient home base for your boat and you can easily explore the north or south parts of the Sound. They offer laundry and shower facilities, state-of-the-art pump out at each slip, free WiFi, and have a clubhouse you can rent for small events. 

Boat accommodations 25’ to 200’ | 12-month contract | No Liveaboards

Eagle Harbor Yacht Club

Established in 1978, the EHYC describes its club as “informal, casual, and above all, fun.” They plan group cruises and excursions, social outings, and have reciprocal privileges at over 40 other clubs in the Northwest. Their home location is Winslow Wharf Marina

 Membership $75+ | Located at Winslow Wharf

The Harbour Marina

The Harbour Marina is located just below Harbour Public House, an island favorite. You can enjoy free moorage while you dine! This marina offers a variety of options from hourly or daily rates to monthly rates. Contact them if you wish to arrange a more permanent stay. They have showers, laundry, cable TV, power, and water. Also, they have a pump-out station. The Harbour Marina also connects to the waterfront trail, which stretches from the ferry to just beyond the pub.  

Boat accommodations 48’ and under | Monthly and Daily Rates | Liveaboards Welcome

Port Madison Yacht Club

Port Madison Yacht Club is located on the north end of the Island in Hidden Cove. The facilities include a modest clubhouse, extensive docks, deep-water buoys, lovely natural grounds, and storage for members’ dinghies and tender boats. To join, membership must be approved by a current club member. Multiple sailing races are sponsored each year, and youth sailing camps are also offered.

Limited Availability | Membership $150+ | Residency Requirement for Moorage

Winslow Wharf Marina

Winslow Wharf Marina is described as a water-based version of a condominium called a dockominium.  All slips are privately owned and owner-occupied or used for long-term moorage at monthly rates. They also offer reciprocal moorage for Eagle Harbor Yacht Club members. Short-term moorage is available when owners are gone for extended periods of time. Power is metered, water is provided, and there is a laundromat on site. Free pump-out is available at the City Dock

Privately Owned Slips | Guest Moorage from $1.65/foot | Liveaboards Welcome

Yacht Sales

Olympic View Yachts

A yacht Broker with an office on Bainbridge Island, Olympic View Yachts offers yachts for sale and locations at three other local marinas. They also offer advice on different sized vessels and can assist with listing your boat for sale. They are a helpful resource, especially if you have questions about equipping a vessel for safe travel in the Pacific Northwest, or yachting in general. 

More Island Information

For more local information, check out our Newcomer’s Guide to Bainbridge Island. In it, you’ll find videos, articles, and helpful links to learn about our neighborhoods, schools, outdoor activities, housing prices by city, local home buying resources, and much more.

 

Community September 16, 2020

Join Windermere in Supporting Bainbridge Island Businesses

Now, more than ever, Windermere Bainbridge fiercely supports our beloved Bainbridge Island businesses – and we’re asking you to join us. We’re all experiencing some of the most challenging, unprecedented changes to what we know as normal life. We are grateful for a resilient real estate market on our beautiful island. But our hearts and actions support our vital, local-business culture. It’s a large part of what makes our island so unique, and it needs support from all of us – right now.

SOS Bainbridge IslandBainbridge Island Businesses

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association to create SOS Bainbridge Island. This informative community effort aims to save our stores and businesses. Its website includes updates on how you can safely shop, dine, and support local merchants. Windermere Bainbridge Broker, Jackie Syvertsen notes, “I love how Bainbridge businesses have evolved to stay open through the Covid crisis. They’re happily creating distancing and extra safety features to accommodate.”

According to the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce, many businesses, especially on Winslow Way, rely on summer visitors and tourism to help them survive through the rest of the year. Since this year’s visitor season was significantly quiet, we can all help now by shopping, dining, and supporting Bainbridge Island businesses.

Local Windermere Broker, Susan Grosten brings to light that “most of our businesses are owned by our own Bainbridge neighbors and friends, all who regularly add back to the community as locals. I’ve enjoyed so many of them, for 31 years and counting!”

 

How the Windermere Bainbridge Team
Supports our CommunityBainbridge Island Businesses

Since 2005, a portion of every Windermere Bainbridge agent’s commission is donated to the Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island. Each year, the foundation donates funds and provides scholarships and support to essential community service organizations on Bainbridge Island.

Additionally, we are passionate locals who regularly shop, dine, and support merchants within our community. Our Broker, Shannon Dierickx says, “I have so many great experiences with local shopping and dining. I’m an original island girl who loves to keep our local businesses thriving!” Broker Cheryl Mauer adds, “I love stopping in at Covet Boutique to pick up a special gift, or to find myself the perfect outfit or jewelry.”

For our Bainbridge treats and dining favorites, the list is endless. Our marketing team notes a gamut including Bene Pizza, Streamliner Diner, Hitchcock, Treehouse Cafe, Sawatdy Thai Cuisine, Doc’s Marina Grill, and so many more. We all have many dear, personal favorites on the island, and now is the time to support them all.

In addition to listing current updates on how restaurants and cafes have adjusted to serve the community, SOS Bainbridge Island’s website also includes information on how many other businesses and services have shifted.

Bainbridge Island Businesses“One of my very favorite businesses on Bainbridge is Barrecor! Owner Emiliana and her wonderful instructors are offering their amazing classes online,” raves our Broker, Susan Grosten. Another business that stands out to our team is the local non-profit, Bainbridge Island Saddle Club. The organization aims to promote good horsemanship and foster equestrian sports locally. Windermere Broker, Maureen Buckley appreciates its programs and favors that “it’s an old-fashioned horse club for local kids to adults.”

We are truly all in this together. The more we all support the Bainbridge Island businesses we love, the more we’ll endure these trying times as a community.

Bainbridge Island Businesses

Community August 8, 2020

The Allure of Bainbridge Island Living

The charm of Bainbridge Island, Washington offers an escape during tourist season to those from near and far. But locals know that Bainbridge Island living offers adventure, beauty, and serenity all year long. Vogue Magazine once coined it the Nantucket of the Pacific Northwest. Learn how its allure can easily convince any visitor to imagine Bainbridge Island as ‘home’.

Small Town Life and Adventure

Bainbridge Island’s footprint is similar in size to Manhattan but hosts a population currently under 25,000. Slower-paced and sophisticated, it’s also home to 65 miles of hiking trails, dozens of public parks and beaches, and the famous Bloedel Reserve. The 150-acre attraction is regularly named one of the Top-10 Botanical Gardens in the US (its distinguished Japanese Garden is considered one of the best in North America.)

The adventurous landscape of Bainbridge Island is served regularly by ferry from Seattle, the route that many island locals make their daily work commute. A 35-minute ride allows time for breakfast, phone calls, and even a jump-start on emails, all with serene views. It’s quite the opposite experience of sitting in Seattle traffic.

Bainbridge Island Living Shannon Dierickx

An Excellent Place to Raise a Family

The quaint, engaged community of Bainbridge Island is an ideal place to raise a family. Safewise ranks Bainbridge Washington’s 6th safest city in 2020. The community also actively supports its highly-regarded public school system. Bainbridge Island School District includes Bainbridge High School, which often ranks high locally and nationally by US News and World Report. It also includes Captain Johnston Blakely and Ordway elementary schools; GreatSchools.org lists both in Washington’s top-10.  Islandwood, a non-profit environmental learning center, also serves thousands of students each year from its 250-acre Bainbridge Island campus. Its alternative programs have gained national recognition.

Bainbridge Island Living Vesna Somers

Bainbridge Culture is Rooted and Refined

Full-time island life doesn’t mean leaving behind fine dining or the arts. From regionally-sourced and James-Beard-awarded Hitchcock, to long-time Kitsap County favorite, Agate Restaurant – the island’s local cuisine is often renowned beyond the region.

Bainbridge Brewing and Bainbridge Organic Distillers keep spirits cheering year-round. Locals and tourists alike can find their coffee fix all around the island. The iconic Pegasus Coffee and the adorable carly’s Rolling Bay Cafe are just a couple of favorites.

The artist community of Bainbridge Island is abundant. The BARN (Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network) keeps local artists and makers connected and inspired. Bainbridge Museum of Art and Bainbridge Performing Arts continuously feature local and indigenous works for all to enjoy, while galleries and studios dot the island throughout.

Bainbridge Island Living Wendy Indvik

A Strong Real Estate Market

Bainbridge is a Pacific Northwest gem with so much to offer. And, now is a great time to make island living a reality.  The local real estate market has fared well through the uncertainties of 2020 thus far. Plus, our Windermere Bainbridge agents are all active community members and highly-skilled experts. Our team has an average of over 16 years in the real estate industry (the range spans from 4 – 37 years). We are passionate locals, and we’re honored to work with nearly half of the market on the island.

Looking to get away from the crowds, but still be close to adventure and city excitement? Bainbridge Island’s 53 miles of shoreline with thousands of waterfront properties awaits.  Let Windermere Bainbridge help you find your island home.