Volunteers at the Queen Anne Home Tour were busy Sunday, taking brochure/tickets and checking them off as visitors stepped out of their shoes and stepped into not just the good but the gorgeous life.
For four hours on a brisk Sunday afternoon, owners of seven palatial estates in Queen Anne opened their doors to more about 400 visitors. Curious guests wandered through the rooms of the homes located throughout the Hill's south, west and northeast ends. Most were within walking distance while the Hatlen and Lund residences at the south end meant a nice brisk walk.
But most tourists took cars. Several left coffee-to-go cups outside and their shoes in the mudrooms before entering the various homes. The most modern home was the Gowen residence at 1313 Fifth Ave. W. The home is a collection of right angles, rectangles, wood, windows, shadows and light. Its remodeling was completed in 2006 by architect Sheri Olson.
Inside, the spacious and open upper floor is flooded with southern light thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer untrammeled views of downtown and the Space Needle. Inside Lile Gowen's bachelor pad is a pool table that takes center stage where a dining table might otherwise go.
On a deep mantle above the landing rests an amazing set of Seattle Mariners baseballs, trinkets and collectibles-and there's some Boston Red Sox material in the den, too.
The master bathroom shower is an intricate tile weave that blends with the floor and walls. And both floors are lined with more than 4,000 books. There's a flat screen TV, and let's just say it's the perfect place to watch the Seahawks or throw down a $20 bet on nine-ball.
Down the street at 602 W. Highland is the Jones residence. This home is done in a French Provincial style whose main feature is a spacious master bedroom that looks out onto the skyline and Elliott Bay. Out beyond and above the bedroom windows is an outdoor balcony with a hot tub, a bar and a fireplace.
The family room is decked out with a black player piano that's a bit spooky, and downstairs is the cabinlike game room complete with kitchen, flatscreen and pool table/ping-pong table. Visiting men were glued to the Seahawks/49ers game that was playing. And if you need a bathroom, don't sweat it. The home 7,250-square-foot home has 7.5 of them.
While each home is amazing in their own right, the spectacular Lundin residence at 1701 Bigelow Ave. N. left most visitors near speechless. The home has 5 bedrooms, 5.25 baths and more charm than a Brad Pitt smile. It's many windows to the west and south overlook Lake Union and downtown Seattle with Mt. Rainier in the distance. The windows themselves are equally attractive with deep wooded and stained panes. In keeping with its Victorian style, the master bedroom is fitted with lovely bay windows to the southwest.
But each floor is in competition with the other. The main floor is completely open with a sprawling living room with a warm fireplace and 20-foot-high ceilings. Adjoining it is a huge kitchen with marble countertops and bar-seating. The kitchen is bigger than most people's apartments.
Not to be outdone, the basement is fixed with an indoor pool and hot tub, a sauna and a massive media room complete with a silver screen at least 20 feet wide. The acoustics of the custom stereo equipment were impeccable. Playing on the screen was Wallingford resident and international rock star Dave Matthews.
Other homes featured in the tour were the Overbey residence at 1433 Eighth Ave. W., the Dyckman residence at 470 Lynn St. and the Hatlen residence at 23 W. Newell St.
The eighth-annual tour's home base was St. Anne School, which hosted the event as well as the Holiday Boutique. About three dozen vendors, selling everything from earrings to pasta, filled the school's gym. Among them were ceramic artisans Sandra Farmer and Liz Duarte, Rachel Rumph of Prissy Piggies and Piper Peterson Lee of Immaculate Confections. Peterson Lee showcased plenty of chocolate treats. She's out of Edmonds but is great friends with Queen Anne's Kim Halvorson and Dianne Carlson. The three put on a trunk show every November. Kim and Dianne had been selling their homemade jewelry under their Boci! Boci! Banner at the boutique and told Peterson Lee to get on board.
Mary Pat Iaci of St. Anne School said total boutique sales were more than $30,000, of which St. Anne Parish will receive 10 percent. Proceeds from the tour was more than $10,000.
"Other money made at the boutique came to $5,200," Iaci said. "Some of that will go to the Queen Anne Helpline along with blankets we collected and a percentage of the Home Tour. We feel good about the first-time combined event. Moving it to the holidays was a great decision."[[In-content Ad]]
