August 1, 1997

Taking a look at The Street of Dreams

By TOM KELLY
The Real Estate Advisor

ISSAQUAH -- When it comes to promotion and exposure, The Street of Dreams features much more than merely custom homebuilding.

Participation in the home tour, an annual summer ritual for professional browsers and common dreamers, can also connote the idea that you have arrived in a given profession.

"I was one of probably 250 artists at the Bellevue Art Show," said Cheri Christensen, whose oil paintings of farm animals are showcased at Seattle's Jeffrey Moose Gallery and the Howard/Mandville Galleries in Kirkland and Edmonds. "Yet people would look at my work and say 'we saw your paintings at The Street of Dreams!' It's simply incredible the number of people who actually attend."

About 80,000 to 100,000 people a year attend The Street of Dreams and this year's early attendance returns are holding close to the norm. In fact, because The Street is much more upscale this year (the six Dream homes start at $735,000 and jump up to $1.4 million - up from $645,000-$749,000 in 1996) more gawkers and dreamers than usual will probably make the drive to Blakely Woods, nine miles east of Issaquah.

Actually, this will be a great year to compare numbers. The attendance record is held by the 1990 Street when more than 100,000 turned out to view homes in a comparable $750,000-$1.2 million price range.

Christensen, who was raised in Enumclaw and now lives on a sunny knoll on Bainbridge island, has three paintings in this year's show. Two of them ("Sentinel") and ("The Three Fates") depict farm scenes while the third ("Orange with Blue & White Pot") has a homey, domestic feel.

"I grew up in Enumclaw but I didn't always paint or draw," said Christensen, whose work will be included in the Everett Art Walk on September 11. "You hear about artists who started about as soon as they could walk, but that wasn't me. In my previous life, I went through the retail world and began painting just six years ago.

"It's definitely what I prefer to do. I really enjoy totally getting out into the studio. I like it so much, that I feel like I'm getting away with something."

Christensen's paintings can be found in Wingate Crossing, built by Classic American Homes. It is House 3 on The Street and at $725,000 is the least expensive home in the neighborhood. The 4,800-square foot home furnished by Pennsylvania Woodworks, is a combination of traditional exteriors and contemporary floor plans. The house is surrounded by appealing lawns, lush gardens and cozy patios.

Expansive interior spaces and artistic touches make the home appear light, open and comfortable. A few of those touches are Christensen's paintings. She favors compositions with strong lighting and shadows, such as early morning or late afternoon settings.

"I absolutely loved to watch things, especially around the home and farm," said Christensen, who lives with her husband -- plus 2 dogs, 7 chickens and a rooster. "People ask me what I do when I'm not painting . . . Other than a couple of trips to Mexico, I just love to watch and explore what's around me."

The Street of Dreams has grown from a one-time Northwest event into a network of national shows. John Heller and David Straughn brought the idea to the Puget Sound area from Portland in 1984. Thousands more than expected turned out to see custom homes that year at Brookside in Woodinville.

The Heller-Straughn partnership ended years ago. Straughn had to relinquish the name "Seattle Street of Dreams" in King and Snohomish counties as part of an out-of-court settlement with Heller. Heller continued to produce the Seattle Street while Straughn and his Woodinville-based National Street of Dreams, Inc., orchestrate similar events in 12 different markets, including British Columbia and Quebec.

Like the 13 previous events, this year's Street is overwhelming, creative, fun, elegant, clever and practical.

"And this year," said show director Irma Sikma, "we have bigger lots -- estate sized-lots. Some of our people have asked the past few years 'Where are the big lots?' We definitely have them at Blakely Woods."

The 1997 Street of Dreams is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. daily through August 17. Tickets, priced from $8-$10, are sold until 8 p.m. each day. For driving instructions and more information, telephone (425) 462-1111.

Previous columns:

• What to do about that vacation home, 07-25-1997
• Vacation homes and taxes can be a confusing combination, 07-11-1997
• Capital gains change is hot housing topic, 06-27-1997
• More lenders willing to take a big gamble on home loans, 06-20-1997
• Look gift houses in the mouth, 06-13-1997
• Affordability not just problem for first-time buyers, 06-06-1997
• Dr. Disaster fixes notorious properties so they can be sold, 05-30-1997
• Today's bride can register for help with the downpayment, 05-02-1997