September 21st, 2009 · No Comments
Post this under the ‘things I’d never, ever think of” is this exhibition at Open Satellite on 112th.
“Exhausted”, an ambitious – and drowsy – take on the iconic Japanese monster Godzilla, is a 50-foot long and 10-foot tall wood-framed sculpture. Traditionally a destroyer of buildings and beasts, the monster responds to decade of social and political crisis (and to the unshakable calm of Bellevue’s aloof cityscape) by lying down to sleep.
Seriously, this is cool. Open until October 3rd.

Exhausted
September 17th, 2009 · No Comments
Did you know Ken Downing, Senior Vice President Fashion Director for Neiman Marcus is from the Northwest? He was here this last weekend to attend the Neiman Marcus Black Tie Gala opening before flying back to NY for fashion week. “I am thrilled to visit the new store in Bellevue because it’s such an exciting place to be right now,” Downing shared with Lindsay Larin of the Bellevue Reporter.
Lindsay shares some photos of the store on her blog. Check out those handbags!
September 16th, 2009 · No Comments
Home #212. More photos….

Windows facing east and south

Gourmet Kitchen
September 15th, 2009 · No Comments
September 14th, 2009 · No Comments
Check out this September 10th article penned by Lori Hill of Daily Journal of Commerce about the state of commercial real estate in Seattle and Bellevue.
Her closing remarks:
“Immediate market discomfort aside, there is no doubt that ultimately the recent building boom is to the long-term benefit of the city. Bellevue’s transformation from a sleepy bedroom community into a vibrant live-work urban environment will better position it to complete in the global business community. It certainly has become a much more interesting place to work and play!”
Click here for the full story.
Of the 30 areas in our region that are tracked for real estate sales, one Eastside neighborhood was recognized for triple digit growth over the same period the year prior. On Sept 5th the Seattle Times reported that West Bellevue/Medina had experienced a 169% increase in sales comparing August 2008 to August 2009.
Another notable stat: Inventory in West Bellevue/Medina has dropped from a five-year supply early this year to a 10-month supply now. That’s significant. And another indicator that in certain pockets, the market gaining strength.
Here’s the beginning of the article by journalist Eric Pryne:
King County home sales continued their summer surge in August. And the latest numbers suggest the buyers aren’t all cash-starved first-timers.
Buyers closed on 5 percent more houses last month than in August 2008, the Northwest Multiple Listing Service reported Friday. It was the third consecutive monthly year-over-year increase, a bump many attribute to the new $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time buyers.
But the neighborhood that saw the biggest jump in sales in August was West Bellevue/Medina, far beyond the means of most folks making their first forays into homeownership.
The runner-up for the month, Queen Anne/Magnolia, also is no mecca for real-estate rookies.
Brokers who work in those two neighborhoods say people with money, who held back when the economy was on the brink, are starting to buy houses again.
Read the full story here.
Today I was looking for a little something that captures what living in Bellevue is all about. I hopped over to Bellevue.com and found this great little article on Live at Lunch concerts. Cool! For cities to thrive they need a downtown that is healthy and vibrant full of places for locals to live life. Even better is when a downtown becomes a destination for it’s outlying neighborhoods. Bellevue is a dynamic example of a city that has invested in a rich business community AND an active residential community. My family has been in Bellevue since 1967. I even remember little old NE 8th when it was just 2 lanes. But I digress. Here’s the article…. Enjoy.
Live at Lunch
Looking for a little fun this weekend? Here are some ideas…
• Eastside Fuchsia Society Plant Show & Sale
• Bellevue Blueberry Festival
• Taste of Main
Find more things to do at Bellevue.com
What a wonderful way to greeted at the end of the day. Welcome home.

The lobby at The Continental
As folks have been visiting over the past week, they’ve been commenting on our interiors…. the slab granite, walnut floors, modern cabinets with sleek faucets… you know, the details that give a home character and a certain vibe. Rather than go on on and let us just show you some pictures. Deal?

Home #212.... the living room opposite this kitchen creates a massive space for living life!

The Continental offers 2 color schemes. Here's the dark scheme in home #401

Big beautiful bathroom.