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<< Previous   of   Next >> Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Lavish curtains create much-needed privacy on Bill and Ingrid Mancuso's comfortable balcony overlooking Possession Sound. Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald  (click to enlarge) A cafe table is the perfect spot to appreciate the view from the balcony of the Mancusos' town house.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, May 8, 2008 Cozy cabana: Mukilteo balcony now a quaint retreat By Sarah Jackson Herald Writer When Bill and Ingrid Mancuso remodeled their two-story town house in Mukilteo, they carefully selected the right furniture, window treatments, art, carpets and finishes to make their space warm and inviting. They didn't stop there, however. When it came time to furnish their small, uncovered balcony overlooking Possession Sound, they kept the theme going. They had, after all, downsized from a nearly 4,000-square-foot home and wanted to use every inch of space to the fullest. Inspired by Bill Mancuso's Italian heritage and Ingrid Mancuso's German roots, they went with a decidedly Mediterranean theme, relying on muted earthy tones. Lavishly upholstered cushions on a large wicker chair, ottoman and small sofa invite relaxation. Horizontally striped curtains, which Ingrid Mancuso sewed herself using outdoor, weather-resistant fabric, create a cozy, romantic escape while also providing much-needed privacy. "All the balconies or decks are aligned with one another," Ingrid Mancuso said. "We can close our curtains and we don't see anybody." The Mancusos also had a contractor install an arbor to enclose the area overhead, giving Ingrid Mancuso an easy place to install shower curtain rods and hooks to hold the curtains in place. "It's like a cabana look," Bill Mancuso said. "It's an extension of the living space. It's really comfortable." Indeed, it's easy to imagine sipping coffee on a cool, sunny morning or tipping back iced lemonade on a balmy afternoon here. "We take advantage of it in the morning. We can have lunch out there. In the afternoon, you can take a nap. In the evening, you can watch the boats and the sunset," Bill Mancuso said. "It's all day." Clear glass surrounding the balcony keeps views of the blue water and evergreen trees on the slope below wide open. Umbrellas provide shade over a small, glass-topped table for two. The Mancusos use their balcony about six months of the year. During the fall and winter, they store the curtains and any delicate accessories inside. They leave the furniture outside, but protect it from the elements with customized covers. Every year when spring arrives the Mancusos are happy to throw open their living room doors to let in the fresh air and sunshine, blending their outdoor and indoor spaces into one. "I like to go out and sit at my little cafe table and have a cup of tea and look out at the eagles flying in distance," Ingrid Mancuso said. "It's very peaceful." Reporter Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037 or sjackson@heraldnet.com.

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