Local businesses get big recognition

Two Whidbey Island businesses have caught the eyes of readers across the state and country with colorful splashes in big magazine features.

Guest House Log Cottages

A local bed and breakfast was recently featured in a national resource for travelers.

Greenbank's Guest House Log Cottages was described as "the perfect mix of rustic and modern," and a "charming and quiet getaway" in the fall edition of Inn Traveler Magazine.

Mary Jane Creger started the Greenbank inn with her husband nearly 26 years ago, and she still lives on the property today. Creger's son and daughter help her run the business, but she remains an active voice.

"I cast a motherly eye on the property," Creger said. "And I'm still the boss."

The bed and breakfast has five cottages sprinkled throughout 25 acres, each designed to accommodate two adult guests. They also have an outdoor swimming pool open in the summer, and a wildlife pond.

"There's nothing like it on the island," Creger said.

The Inn Traveler Magazine asked to do a feature article about the Guest Log Cottages because in past years it has been voted as the most romantic getaway -- and the friendliest staff -- by readers.

"It's so neat," said Peggy Walker, Creger's daughter. "You work so hard to make any business, and to get that acknowledgement is very nice."

Past recognition for the bed and breakfast includes Sunset Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Women's Day, and other prominent publications.

Norman & Norman Designers

The product of a Langley interior design company appeared in Seattle's Homes and Lifestyles Magazine.

Norman & Norman Designers -- owned by husband and wife team Tim and Monica Norman -- specializes in designing both the interior and exterior of homes to fit the lives of their clients.

Tim Norman designs the exterior of the house and Monica Norman handles the interior.

"We work really closely with the contractor on all of the projects," Monica Norman said. "We make site visits, go over the details and work with the client on materials and colors."

Recently, Monica Norman did a remodel of the entire interior of a Greenbank home.

The home, built in the late '60s or early '70s, was very dark inside before the remodel.

Norman and the homeowner brainstormed ideas about what they wanted the end-product to like look.

"We really wanted to bring some light into it because it was right on the water," Norman said. "And the dark interior just made it look old and outdated."

They added light colors, enlarged windows and even took out a wall.

When the project was finished, both Norman and the homeowner were pleased.

"It made a huge difference," Norman said.

She decided to submit her work to Seattle's Home and Lifestyle Magazine. So, she sent in pictures and described her work.

"They actually called back right away," Norman said.

One of the rooms in the remodeled Greenbank home was featured in the magazine's September edition. It appeared in the "Room for Improvement" section of the publication, which focuses on the "before and after" design attributes in one room of a house.

Norman was really excited about her accomplishment, and has it listed the company's Web site.

She said the Greenbank home-owner was really excited too.

"She just thought this was wonderful," Norman said. "I think she enjoyed it as much as I did."

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