A new year has begun. Resolutions have been made (most already broken by now). But one thing stands strong, our amazing community. This is Whidbey Island.

In my new blog series, The Heart of the Island, I am going to feature all sorts of local businesses, events, beaches, trails, venues, indoor and outdoor activities, and the list goes on.

For those of you who don’t know me, I am a true PNW girl! I was born and raised in Bellingham, but I moved to Skagit County when I married my husband.   After the birth of our daughter, (Miracle Baby!) we decided to move to Oak Harbor, since my husband, Kristoph, had been commuting for a while, and he wanted to spend more time with her.

Moving to beautiful Whidbey Island was a huge change for us, but I am in love with this place! I still have strong ties to the main land and love any excuse to spend the day there.  For those following along from the main land, I will be highlighting events and venues in Skagit and Whatcom County as well.

One of the best things about living here is the close proximity to all sorts of adventures. I can’t wait to share them all with you! Who wants to join me? (I’m especially talking to all you ladies out there needing some girl or fellow mom time.)

If you want any community information or would like to connect with me, don’t hesitate to reach out! I would love to help YOU fall in love with this beautiful island and its surrounding areas.

I mean it! Don’t be shy! I would love to hear from you!

Email me, (Rachel Bennett) at RaeBennett@windermere.com

You can call/text me at 360-319-6824

Don’t forget to check out my website: livingthenorthwestlife.com

If you want to hear more of our story, I would love to share it with you! We had a 4 year struggle before being blessed with our daughter through IVF. Our journey for more children still continues. If you or someone you know also struggles with this, I would love to offer my support and friendship.

Hello there,

I’m Rachel Bennett, the Realtor behind “Making a House a Home”.

So many of us home owners hit a stalemate in our homes. What do I do next? How can I freshen up this house? What can I do on a limited budget? All these questions and more are ones I’ve asked myself frequently.  My own home is a work in progress. I like to call it “project mode”.

With spring quickly approaching (not fast enough right?) I feel the spring purging/cleaning bug setting in. I find myself visiting Pinterest for fresh ideas. It can be a bit overwhelming to sift through the hundreds of posts and ideas. Its also a bit frustrating to find what appears to be the perfect “Pin” only to find when you click on the link that its no longer available. So that’s where my blog comes in. I will be regularly posting on Pinterest worthy topics and my links won’t go away anytime soon. I’m also taking requests so if there is a topic you want to see that relates to my blog, by all means shoot me an email and I’ll make it happen!

disclaimer: I’m not an English major. I’m also not a professional decorator. I am a Wife, Mom and Real Estate broker with the dream of helping others.

Now. Lets talk about Home care. Its almost Spring!!! Our houses have been hit hard this winter. They need a little love. But where to start?

• Clean gutters and downspouts.
• Have roof and chimney inspected and serviced as needed.
• Touch up peeling/worn paint.
• Clean siding.
• Set up and clean outdoor furniture. (keep an eye out for super cute and fun cushions and pillows to make them pop)
• Fertilize your lawn. Don’t forget to water it!
• Change out/clean HVAC air filters. This should be done every few months.
• Check your foundation to make sure there are no leaks or cracks. Those freezing winters can cause damage.
• Inspect caulking around sinks, bathtubs, toilets and windows. Re-caulk as needed.
• Check all your faucets for leaks.

Need to breathe new life into a dull room?

I found some of the following ideas in an article from Better Homes and Gardens. Those people are brilliant. I love their ideas.

• Paint an accent wall a cheery color.
• Play with pillows/curtains. Find a common color to tie them together if their patterns are different.
• Paint an old piece of furniture a fun/bright color.
• Install built-in shelving around windows or doorways. This adds storage and style to walls!
• Use carpet tiles to create an area rug. All you need: Carpet tiles (often available as samples) and gorilla tape.
• Refinish hardwood floors with a light duty sander and new stain.
• Brighten up an old bookcase with a fresh and cheerful paint.

Out of date kitchen?

Want to spiff up your kitchen on a budget? Here are some wonderful, cheap and fairly simple ways to do just that.

• Add a splash of red to a neutral/white kitchen. Red stimulates the appetite, and improves sense of smell and taste!
• Create a message board by painting a pantry door with chalk board paint.
• Tile a back splash.
• Customize an archway at the entrance to the kitchen.
• Transform dated laminate counter tops with Rust-Oleum Counter Top Coating. (Available in a variety of color options!)
• Add molding around outdated flat cabinets and paint a fresh color! Complete with new knobs.
• Replace fluorescent lights with a modern track light or pendant lighting.

This is just the beginning. Stay tuned for future blog posts on How to Make a House a Home!

Send me an email to RaeBennett@windermere.com with any questions or suggestions for future posts.