SZ: On the Boards | July/August 2020

DESIGN

Mercer Island Waterfront Home featured in Luxe.

“Location, location, location” is the real estate world’s most time-honored adage. And those words have never been more apropos, perhaps, than in the daring renovation of Chris and Nicole Niederman’s Mercer Island home. Helmed by architect Suzanne Zahr and designer Kat Lawton, the project took the existing home on the site, a 1974 cottage of a smidge less than 1,900 square feet, and more than doubled its size thanks to a savvy remodel and addition. Not only did the endeavor preserve the stellar views, but the undertaking made them even more prominent.

- Laura Morgan, Luxe Pacific Northwest, July/August 2020

BUILD

La Fête Pâtisserie Française on Mercer Island.

On July 17 Kristin Sisco opened her doors to a deliciously delightful, contemporary French bakery on Mercer Island. The SZ Team worked closely with Kristin and her Landlord, Ken Dayton, in transforming the previous Pho restaurant into this inviting indoor/outdoor Parisian corner of our Town Center. Congratulations Kristin for realizing your vision, your dream! We’re proud to have played a supporting role & wish La Fête sweet success.

To learn more, check out the insightful write-up from our friends at MYMI.

ART

Join PICHA’s Visual Activism Campaign.

‘The world’s perception of African and black communities is not always their reality. So many misconceptions and prejudices are born from these limited points of view. This is why we believe in authentic representation. No more stereotypes or generalizations. Representation Matters. Because we all don’t look alike. Because we all deserve to be equally and fairly represented in the media we consume. Rise up, be seen. Change the visual narrative.’

PICHA is proud to present #ImAVisualActivist campaign. We invite you to join us in celebrating this powerful initiative.

COMMUNITY

Parker Eberhard re-thinks working from home.

If you’re anything like me, the past few months you’ve been spending a lot more time at home. Also, if you’re anything like me, the home that you have found yourself spending that time in now happens to be your office, school, exercise gym, art studio, sourdough bread bakery…As we are all now acutely aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed every facet of our lives, including the relationship that we have with our home environments.

The first step towards making a more successful environment for the new normal is evaluating what your needs are for your home, and the way your home is currently being used to meet those needs.

- Parker Eberhard, SZ Build Construction Manager

INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR HELP (photo by Phil Carpenter)

Beirut Explosion: How to help victims in Lebanon.

On Tuesday, August 4th, a massive blast rocked Beirut's port when tons of improperly stored ammonium-nitrate were ignited by a fire in the storage facility. Within 24 hours of the explosion the death toll already numbered more than 130 people, approximately 5,000 injured and hundreds of thousands left homeless. This man-made disaster also came at a time of ongoing political and deep financial crisis in the tiny nation that is also home to the world's largest per-capita population of refugees, my Palestinian family included.

The Lebanese are resilient but also exhausted. Beirut is broken, more than ever before. They need help and support from our international community. Please lend your support in any ways you are able.

LEBANESE RED CROSS is an independent organisation focused on disaster prevention and relief. It is the main provider of ambulances in Lebanon, and relies on volunteers. The LRC was central to treating people injured in the nationwide protests that started in October last year and the coronavirus pandemic this year, as well as treating and transporting people following the explosion. Its services are provided for free to those who need them.

LEBANESE FOOD BANK The blast destroyed grain silos that contained around 85% of the country’s grain supply. Lebanon’s economy minister, Raoul Nehme, said the wheat in Beirut’s port granaries cannot be used and that the ministry has lost track of seven employees at the site. He said food supplies were en route. Up to 80% of the country’s food is imported, most of it via the port destroyed by the explosion. The Lebanese Food Bank runs feeding programs that distribute dry food parcels and collect food donations from hotels and restaurants.

OFFREJOIE is an apolitical and non-confessional Lebanese NGO founded in 1985. It brings together volunteers from all faiths and all Lebanon, as well as friends of Lebanon around the world, who advocate and act for a plural Lebanon, free and fair. Since 2012, it is also located in Iraq and there is the same desire to promote unity and solidarity across social and religious barriers. Offrejoie volunteers uphold and are role models for the values of Love, Forgiveness and Respect