CAPTURING THE ESSENCE

ESSENCE capturing the

Hoedemaker Pfeiffer renovated the interiors of an apartment in the centre of Seattle creating a warm and masculine urban retreat for an Alaska-based bachelor.

"The view was the main event and the desire for an open inviting living space to entertain friends and family, with the flexibility to sleep when the family is together. A blend of Northwest urban gentility and rustic Alaskan textures blended to create a warm, inviting, masculine home.” - Tim Pfeiffer, designer and co-founder of HoedemakerPfeiffer

The client is a single Northeasterner who has lived in Alaska for decades and wanted a city landing pad for himself and for visits with daughters. The designers created an open plan into which was added a rich textural blend of warm woods, grey stone, and woven wall coverings. Art and furnishings were selected to reflect a strong Northwest influence, complimenting panoramic views stretching from downtown Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula. The result is a casuallyeclectic home with a palpable sense of soul and history that captures the essence of the Pacific Northwest. The original 1980s-era floor plan was chopped up into small spaces and included a walled-in kitchen, all blocking natural light and views. The project began by opening up the plan to allow natural light to penetrate as deeply into the apartment as possible. With a limited footprint, the designers developed the new plan the way one designs a boat. Every space has a function with many flexing from one use to another. Fumed oak casework and steel details are used throughout from kitchen to bedroom. The apartment easily accommodates friends and family for entertaining, but its use as a bachelor pad informed those decisions. The home offers both coastal views and a city skyline. The client wanted an open floor plan that allowed for flexibility in terms of dining and entertaining, so warm woods with a variation on texture and color were used in order to differentiate each area from the next. Even on the grayest of Seattle days the space has beautiful light. The painted walls and ceilings in a warm white act as reflectors for the ample natural light. The inclusion of hidden overhead lighting in the kitchen and living areas deliver both task and mood lighting while picture lighting adds drama and focus in the hallways. In the living room, a dark, textured wood ceiling is juxtaposed with a lighter sand coffee and table, while the furniture pieces rely on weathered leather for a lived-in feel. A textured rug and a master craft desk add an element of coziness.

The dining and kitchen areas have a decidedly more modern look to them, with cooler hues mixing with more rustic elements for a fresh take on urban living. Warm reds, yellows, and oranges on a cream backdrop make sure the colors shine through, while still allowing that stunning view to take center stage. The kitchen features a lighter mahogany on the cabinetry and ceiling, while the light gray base on the room island ensures that the natural wood

doesn’t overwhelm the shared living spaces. The girls like to bake so the kitchen is laid out with a bake center and generous counter space that is open to the 180-degree view. There is a decided juxtaposition of contemporary, modern, and vintage elements complementing these shared spaces. Though rustic, the 19th-century Japanese tansu, 18th-century kitchen table, and midcentury cane kitchen chairs work well together amidst a very built environment. Natural woven fabrics and tribal designs reflect the client’s background and a regional vocabulary. Distinct kitchen and dining areas are defined by dropped ceilings consisting of dark, rough boards, that conceal lighting and contrast with the original ceiling, making it appear higher than it is. The ceiling and window-facing vertical elements are white to intensify the daylight and distribute it deeper into the apartment. For the dining area, the designers chosen the table with a bronze cast base and steel top from Kirk Albert, while drapery linen is from Rogers & Goffigon. A small outdoor terrace with Sunbrella’s fabric provides direct access to the elements.

As in the common areas, a warm colour palette was also used in the main bedroom, characterized above all by the use of wood for the wall wardrobe which shows a series of vintage objects. In addition, a touch of liveliness was guaranteed by the bright red and orange colors of the fabrics. In true maritime fashion and with no natural light into the master bath, floor-to-ceiling Carrera tile preserves a spa-like experience. By reconfiguring the master bath entry, a pass-through dressing area and a walk-in shower and soaking tub were able to be accommodated.