Outside the showcase home with SH&L publisher Jill Mogen (center) and Providence O’Trees executive director Patricia Szabo (right).
Editor's Letter
A Time for Thanks
It’s easy to get caught up in everyday stresses and concerns, the minutiae that add up to a busy life. But every now and then, there are moments that stop us.

It’s easy to get caught up in everyday stresses and concerns, the minutiae that add up to a busy life. But every now and then, there are moments that stop us.
I had one such moment in October when I was greeting people at the 2007 Seattle Homes & Lifestyles Showcase Home.

Cosponsored by Providence O’Christmas Trees, the beneficiary for tours held October 12–14, the home featured interior design services by Maison Luxe. Minutes after the last pillow was fluffed and the last painting hung, SH&L and Providence O’Christmas Trees opened the front door for an opening-night party to thank everyone involved.

Each person who came through the door had contributed to the project, but it wasn’t until that evening that they saw the results of their diverse efforts. As more and more people arrived, I was struck by the sheer number of talented and generous people who shared with us their goods, time and labor. The project wouldn’t have been possible without all of our sponsors, staff, friends and family—especially homeowners Cheryl and Nathaniel Papadakis and interior designer Kelie Grosso.

The 2007 SH&L Showcase Home is also this year’s holiday home, about which Assistant Editor Lindsey Rowe wrote the feature story. We’ve included a detailed Showcase Home Resource Guide, which helps you find our local sources.

Also in this issue: Our home features visit beautiful residences in Mukilteo and Kirkland; and our Style section suggests modern stockings to fill with thoughtful gifts.

We recently revamped and expanded our Web site and hope you will spend some time browsing the new site. I welcome your feedback.

Giselle Smith, Editor

Note: Congratulations are in order to the many local designers who were recognized with 2007 Northwest Design Awards at the Seattle Design Center’s annual gala. Among them were Seattle Design 100 honorees Mithun and Finne Architects, as well as several designers who recently appeared in the pages of Seattle Homes & Lifestyles: Gregory Carmichael (October 2006), Susan Marinello (September 2007), MusaDesign (September 2007), 2007 Design Achievement Award winner Paula Devon Raso (October 2007) and Amely Wurmbrand (September 2007).

We also laud David Miller and Robert Hull of Miller|Hull, a 2006 Seattle Design 100 honoree, who recently received the 2007 Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award from Washington State University, the college’s highest honor.