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VOLUME 52
Home + Garden 16
KITCHEN + BATH SURFACES All white kitchens make room for the addition of beautiful black marble and quartz, natural wood cabinetry, and essential earthy greens. Tiled backsplashes take on a more vertical appearance and full slabs going up across the back walls in kitchens create a more modern look. Bold colors are having a moment with eye-catching displays all over the home!
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SOUND HOUSE In Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood, a modern, yet warm home designed by GO’C and built by Thomas Fragnoli Construction is complete with a south-facing cantilevered primary suite, two main living levels, and a magnificent swimming pool.
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SHELTER HOUSE 64
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Holly Freres and David Horning of JHL Design designed a retreat in Arch Cape, Oregon, with a focus on simple, yet durable and rugged materials, which emphasizes the home as a relaxing beachfront sanctuary.
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BUNGALOW GLOW UP A Seattle Craftsman-style home gets a bright-andopen kitchen and dining upgrade fit for a family of five by BrightWork Builders and interior design firm The Residency Bureau. A neutral palette livened with designer lighting and cheerful wallcoverings bring balance and warmth.
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LOOM HOUSE Adhering to the strict Living Building Challenge guidelines, Charlie Hellstern Interior Design, The Miller Hull Partnership, Clark Construction, and Anne James Landscape Architect worked in harmony to ensure the integrity of the existing home while incorporating sustainability throughout.
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VOLUME 52
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Travel + Lifestyle 77
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Curvaceous lines in upholstered furniture silhouettes and case goods sets the backdrop for a mix of textured textiles, such as boucle wool, tweeds, and prints in both saturated desert hues and eye-catching brights – all pulled together to create highly personalized, vibrant spaces.
Lakeville Homes and Rebecca Rowland Interiors team to reimagine and revamp a Duvall, Washington farmhouse using a fresh mix of vibrant colors and patterns, leaving no space untouched.
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GLAM TOUCH
EYE ON DESIGN
LIGHT-FILLED HAVEN Colleen Knowles of Colleen Knowles Interior Design refreshed a contemporary Mercer Island home with custom-designed furnishings, an elegant color palette, and luxe finishes, creating a chic personal haven for the new owners.
COLOR STORY
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NB Design Group and Schultz Miller team to revamp a Lake Washington waterfront home with a Hollywood Regency aesthetic, adding thoughtful touches throughout along with a new wine room and playroom.
on the cover
GO’C architects teamed with Thomas Fragnoli Construction to design and build the Sound House. photography ©Kevin Scott
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FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS Delightful springtime arrangements by Kailla Platt of Kailla Platt Flowers
17 Parrot Tulips & Berberis 25 Hellebores & Azalea 34 Lilac & Freesia
GARDEN PLANTS 32 Fragrant Faves Stop and smell the roses with our seasonal sherbert-hued favorites by David Austin Roses.
90 Not So Bashful Begonias Alluring pops of color against delicately patterned foliage of Terra Nova Nursery’s Begonias add interest to shade gardens.
publisher’s
LETTER
PUBLISHER Claudia M. Brown EDITOR/SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Kiki Meletis PROJECT MANAGER Karla Prater SALES REPRESENTATIVE Nicole Rummel PREPRESS PRODUCTION William Campbell
BLAME IT ON THE ROOSTER! The story goes something like this – a Seattle couple brings home cute chicks for their backyard, and soon discovers one is a rooster – totally not loved by their neighbors. So, they move to 10 acres in Duvall. Only problem, the newly built Saltbox on the property is “soulless,” but also a great opportunity for the talents of interior designer Rebecca Rowland who mixes and matches vibrant colors and patterns throughout to make it a home full of personality. Check out the rooms, one by one, sure to inspire creativity for the homeowners. It seems the world is more conscious than ever about the environment and what it might take to be self-sufficient for food, energy, and water. Reminds me a bit of Swiss Family Robinson and their ultra-efficient island tree house. Roll the clock forward and it’s still an aspiration. To our delight, we are featuring the Loom House, a magnificent sustainable achievement on the Puget Sound garnering world-wide attention. In addition to fabulous architectural design and interiors, two of its many sustainable features include a 10,000-gallon cistern installed underneath the garden to collect rainwater off the roofs for drinking water, washing, and showering, and a photovoltaic system on the home’s roof to provide energy for the entire property. Kudos to the talented team of Charlie Hellstern Interior Design, The Miller Hull Partnership, Clark Construction Inc, and Anne James Landscape Architect. Ideally, more home renovation and landscape projects will head in this direction.
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Melissa Dalton Donna Pizzi
Record producer Brandon Ebel’s nearly 20-yearlong dream of building a spectacular modern home with a 360-degree view of Seattle came true for both he and New York Times bestselling author Sarah Jio, thanks to the dynamic collaboration of GO’C architects Jon Gentry and Aimee O’Carroll, and Chris Thomas of Thomas Fragnoli Construction. The Sound House, aptly named for Brandon’s love of music and the home’s audio, delivers not only ultra-modern design, but also warmth throughout. If a new kitchen, home, or remodel is on your wish list, check our website for leading Northwest design professional portfolios, or go online to www.portraitmagazine.com/portfolios If it’s time for a refresh of your interiors, check out our Eye On Design pages for the latest fabrics, wallcoverings, surfaces, lighting and home furnishings – indoors and out, most of which can be sourced locally from leading shops and showrooms around town. We’re proud to be celebrating 28 years of successful publishing. Thank you for all your support!
PHOTOGRAPHERS Lincoln Barbour Miranda Estes Andrew Giammarco Haris Kenjar Kevin Scott Amy Wennerlind PUBLISHED BY Portrait Magazine SUBSCRIBE Online www.portraitmagazine.com
Or mail check payable to Portrait Magazine PO Box 9097 Portland, Oregon 97207-9097 503.203.1373 $10 $18 $24
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STYLIST • FOOD SCENE • BRIGHT
PAINT Just a Little 0460 millerpaint.com
(below) In Nistisima, author Georgina Hayden looks to the Mediterranean to share over 100 delicious and beautifully photographed vegan recipes. powells.com
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1) From Four Hands, the Arden Dining Table introduces geometric interest with its caged base and round concrete top. Ripley Dining Chairs complete the look, available through jgarnerhome.com 2) The Quincy Pendant from Kuzco Lighting is inspired by layered pagoda architecture from Japan, available through seattlelighting.com 3) Form and function merge seamlessly in Brizo’s Litze Articulating Faucet with Industrial Handle, shown in Mattle Black/Luxe Gold, through brizo. com 4) The Tea Towel Salades Illustrées Cotton in Sand shows off an ideal summer setup with a vegetable garden, harvesting, and salad varieties, through le-jacquard-francais.com
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(right) Made Goods Rawley Bar Stool is made from faux rattan woven in basketweave strips and supported by an airy teak wood base. Through jgarnerhome.com
PARROT TULIPS & BERBERIS Spring is peak season for Apricot Parrot Tulips. A showy favorite with feathered, multi-colored petals add depth and a grand dose of texture to any arrangement. Shown here, salmon-hued and welcoming yellow ranunculus pair with a nice evergreen field of sarcococca and reaching spray of blooming berberis (barberry).
WHAT YOU’LL NEED (STEM COUNTS)
6 Sarcococca humilis 9 Apricot Parrot Tulips
ARRANGEMENT BY Kailla Platt, Kailla Platt Flowers kaillaplattflowers.com
9 Narcissus Flower Drift
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Amy Wennerlind
7 Salmon Ranunculus
7 Yellow Ranunculus 8 Butterfly Ranunculus ‘Litai’ 5 Berberis ‘Aurea Nana’
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PARED DOWN • MONOCHROME
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GET THE LOOK
Modern Family
(below) From Jason Wu For Brizo, the Widespread Lavatory Faucet & Low Cross Handles in Matte Black merges renowned design and innovation. Through brizo.com
1. VERSATILE LUXE From Kuzco Lighting, the Castilla wall light is classically chic. Shown in matte black with clear glass. Available through seattlelighting.com 2. AMERICAN MODERN By architect Simon Jacobsen, American Modern Home explores subtle modernism with a respect for local vernacular traditions. Pre-order through powells.com 3. PERFECT IN PORCELAIN Shown in Black, the Ardesia Series is ideal for contemporary and traditional spaces. arizonatile.com 4+5. PRINTS THAT POP From Thibaut, Tiverton in Coral & Mombasa in Cinnamon. thedixongroup.net 6. FLEX DESIGN From Gus* Modern, the Transit Bench is flexible enough for any space, yet sturdy enough for seating. Available through gusmodern.com
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7. ALL THE RANGE Hestan’s 48" 5-Burner Dual Fuel Range with 12" Griddle merges power with beauty. Shown in Matador, it offers the most powerful gas burner available to the home. Through luwaluxury.com
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PAINT Sweet Baby Rose 1067 roddapaint.com
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SUSTAINABLE + STYLISH Trendy tile choices continue to prevail in ensuite accent walls, bath surfaces, and flooring, providing more opportunity for texture, color, and personality. From Arizona Tile, the Geo 2 Hex Mesh Series is made from recycled glass and immune from fading or discoloration, making it the perfect choice for sun-soaked spaces. Infusing well-loved colors in a contemporary geometric pattern with a matte finish, this series is ideal for kitchens, baths, and floors. Shown: Geo 2-Harmonie Verse, 15X11 Mesh Sheet. Available through Arizona Tile, www.arizonatile.com
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surface + home LIGHTING REFRESH • MATTE BLACK
SHOP THE LOOK RLM 10" 1-Light Outdoor Angle Shade Black; 10"W X 10.5"H
www.seattlelighting.com
SHOP THE LOOK Harmon 1-Light Seeded Glass Pendant Matte Black; 12"W X 19.25"H
www.seattlelighting.com
CLASSICALLY MODERN Create a timeless yet modern look with updated lantern-style lighting. From Capital Lighting’s Harmon Collection, inspired by vintage walking lanterns, the central pendants illuminate through perfectly detailed seeded glass against the matte black cage silhouette. From the fully customizable RLM Collection, the 1-Light Outdoor Angle Shade comes together with the Goose Neck Wall Mount to create the modern farmhouse look. Pair with black frame windows for an added touch of elegance. Available through www.seattlelighting.com
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Distinctive Architectural Design www.SturmanArchitects.com | 425.451.7003
GHSPRODUCTS.COM
surface + home THE PURISTIC WORLD • MINIMAL
GET THE LOOK (left) SieMatic Brushed Black Metal framed glass tall cabinetry with Pebble Grey matte lacquer interior
GET THE LOOK (above) SieMatic Smoked Oak Wood veneer tall cabinetry surround
Form & function come together for kitchen perfection in SieMatic’s PURE style collection. Its elegant minimalist aesthetic seamlessly blends the home’s architecture and kitchen functions, with a focus on precise workmanship down to the smallest detail. With no exception is the new SLX channel handle with integrated LED lighting, redefining handless cabinetry design by making light tangible and creating a visually floating worktop. The metal framed glass tall cabinets add to craft a timeless and sophisticated space. Available through SieMatic Seattle, www.siematic-seattle.com
GET THE LOOK (above) SieMatic SLX Pebble Grey matte lacquer cabinetry with Black Metal LED channel
siematic-seattle.com
swatch watch |
PINK PERSUASION
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THINK PINK Breeze into Summer with fresh fabrics and bold wallcoverings. Hot pinks and chic fuchsias lend themselves to striking patterns with a feminine touch. Take it a step further by layering with green or orange to create a distinct look. We’ve handpicked our favorite Christopher Farr|cloth wallcoverings, wallpaper, and fabrics to jumpstart a vibrant summer. 1) Africana Wallpaper in Fuchsia 2) Bark Raffia Wallcovering in Fuchsia 3) Belle-De-Nuit Wallpaper in Fuchsia 4) Azteque in Hot Pink, Indoor Printed in 100% linen 5) Anna in Hot Pink, Indoor Printed in 100% linen 6) Cactus Flower Wallpaper in Fuchsia 7) Bookend Perennials® Performance Weave in Rosa, Performance/Outdoor fabric in 100% solution Dyed Acrylic 8) Armature Feuilles in Hot Pink, Indoor Printed in 100% Linen 9) Belfour in Hot Pink, Indoor Printed in 100% Linen. Available through The Dixon Group showroom, www.thedixongroup.net
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HELLEBORES & AZALEA A glorious display of pink spring perfection, flowering crabapple branches and saucer-shaped flowers of early blooming hellebores pair with frilly Butterfly ranunculus to welcome the sunny days ahead. The Birch Bowl made by Portland artist Jessica Pluhar, at Of Hand Studios offers the ideal display for this hand-picked from the garden arrangement.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED (STEM COUNTS)
ARRANGEMENT BY Kailla Platt, Kailla Platt Flowers kaillaplattflowers.com
5 White/purple Picotee Ranunculus
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Amy Wennerlind
5 Helleborus orientalis, green shades 4 Azalea quinquefolium branches in bud 3 Pink Crabapple branches in bloom 3 Butterfly Ranunculus ‘Ariadne’
surface + home LUXURIOUS SCENE • BRIGHT ACCENTS
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PAINT Blackened No.2011 farrow-ball.com
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1) From Alora Lighting, the Belleview Pendant has stunning clear, curvy glass and striking metal details, seattlelighting.com 2) Lush Life: Food & Drinks from the Garden by Valerie Rice brings together over 150 seasonal and beautifully photographed recipes, for entertaining friends to cocktail creations, through powells.com 3) Caesarstone’s Empira Black Matte offers great contrast in its delicate white veining against opulent black, ghsproducts.com 4) The Tea towel De Saison Fruits in Apricot displays garden favorites in delightful detail, le-jacquard-francais.com 5) From Four Hands, the Conner Dining Table brings simple sophistication with black-washed oak and bluestone inset top, jgarnerhome.com
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(above) From Jason Wu for Brizo, the Two-Handle Wall Mount Lavatory Faucet and Cross Handles free creates an immediate lavish look. brizo.com
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SITTING PRETTY Rooted in elegant minimalism and attention to detail, the Essentiel sofa from Saba Italia is the ideal centerpiece for designer-approved comfort. Italian elegance is woven in its form, complete with quilted backrest cushions and the grosgrain cord trim, perched on slim legs. Customize with multiple options for backrest pillows and overall sofa sizes. The Più Table mirrors its clean design and light style. Available through Kasala, www.kasala.com
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Color Crush TURMERIC + NOUVEAU ROSE
Bring a splash of texture or shine with rose gold, terracotta, and burnt oranges to indoor and outdoor spaces. Eye-catching yet subtle, these warm hues can be used as an accent or as neutrals, evoking a romantic sunset or mid-century glam.
PAINT Spiced Carrot 0052 roddapaint.com
1. SET THE SCENE A chic setup from Arteriors featuring the Eclipse Mirror with a brass in rose gold hue, Elis Bench of white hide bands over rose gold steel frame, and Desert Sun Pendant emulating the setting desert sun. Available through jgarnerhome.com
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2. METALLIC MAGIC Kartell’s Cindy lamp shines from top to bottom with a conical lampshade and rounded teardrop base. kasala.com 3. FLOWER POWER Incorporate orange and pink hues in playful spring-forward patterns: Pop Flower in Romance (behind) & Bee Flower in Cumin (front). Available through elitis.fr/en
(left) Indulge in La Vita e Dolce by Letitia Clark, featuring over 80 Italian desserts inspired by the author’s time living in Sardinia. powells.com
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4. TRUE TERRACOTTA From Four Hands, the Soraya Outdoor Dining Table fluted shape of solid concrete is finished in terracotta for a warm feel, indoors or out. Pair with teak or black chairs for a designer-ready setup. jgarnerhome.com 5. SUMPTUOUS SEATING Cozy in on the Four Hands Collins 5-Piece Sectional in Modern Velvet Tobacco. Generously evokes comfort and style with rounded bolster-like seating and waterfall front. jgarnerhome.com
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garden |
FRAGRANT FAVES
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AS SUMMER UNFOLDS, gardens burst with vivid colors of pink, orange and apricot and fragrance of fruity tea and myrrh. Stop and smell the roses with our seasonal shrub favorites by David Austin Roses. 1) Golden Celebration®, a large, rich yellow bloom with a strong Tea fragrance with notes of Sauternes wine and strawberry. It forms a rounded shrub with ample foliage, the blooms reaching marvelously on long, arching branches. 2) Roald Dahl, apricot hues in a medium-sized, cup rosette have few thorns and lovely fruity Tea scent. Named to mark the centenary of Roald Dahl’s birth, its coloring is a reminder of the peach from James and the Giant Peach. 3) Princess Anne brings an evolution of colors of deep pink, almost fading to pure rich pink. Medium Tea scented blooms are framed by rich narrow petals with a hint of yellow underside. 4) Scepter’D Isle, a strong myrrh fragrance bestows these medium blooms with a gentle light pink ombré effect. Available through David Austin Roses, www.davidaustinroses.com 32
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CREATE YOUR OWN PRIVATE GETAWAY
There’s something
Make your outdoor living space more
that draws you to
enjoyable with paving stones and wall block
a place and makes
from Western Interlock. We’ll even show you
you want to stay.
how you can do it yourself at diywithwi.com!
The Concrete Advantage.
westerninterlock.com
LILAC & FREESIA WHAT YOU’LL NEED (STEM COUNTS)
12 Lilac, various shades of purple 4 Helleborus orientalis, purple shades 3 Freesia double, pale lavender/white 2 Akebia quinata
As far as seasons go, spring becons some of the year’s most fragrant blooms. We love this pollinator attracting mix of cheerful, easy to grow lilacs and sweet perfumed freesia. Paired here with arching vines of akebia and hellebores these heirloom garden favorites create an antique painterly feel. ARRANGEMENT BY Kailla Platt, Kailla Platt Flowers kaillaplattflowers.com PHOTOGRAPHY BY Amy Wennerlind
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CITY COTTAGE • RETRO SUMMER
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Weekend Cottage
1. GRACEFUL GREEN From Anna French’s Nara Collection, (printed pillow fabrics top to bottom) Japonic Stripe in Emerald Green, Akio in Emerald Green, and Tree House in Pink & Green. Available through thedixongroup.net
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2. ORGANIC BEAUTY Rattan is hand-bent into a basket silhouette in the Wren 4-Light Pendant from Capital Lighting. seattlelighting.com 1
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3. HOT HOUSEPLANTS Home Sweet Houseplant is your go-to-guide for decorating with houseplants. powells.com 4. MID CENTURY INSPIRED Four Hands Flora Dining Chair in Distressed Cream merges solid oak framing with woven cane seating for a texture perfection. jgarnerhome.com 5. ADJUSTABLE AMBIANCE Inspired by vintage lamp posts, the Felix sconce from Alora is perfect for any space. seattlelighting.com 6. TIMELESS TILE The Geo 2 Hex Mesh in Bisou Dawn 13X13 brings renewed visual interest to tiled spaces. arizonatile.com
7. KEEP IT COOL The True Undercounter Refrigerator enhances your kitchen or bar space with more storage and cooling capacities. true-residential.com 8. TULIP TABLE Four Hands Powell Dining Table brings together a rustic black iron base with rounded white marble. jgarnerhome.com
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kitchen update |
KEEP IT COOL
Your favorite beverages are always on hand with this ultimate beverage station. Serving up your choice of drink with its slimmed down profile, Perlick’s 24" Signature Series Shallow Depth Refrigerator has a unique 18" depth, making it ideal for credenzas and narrow spaces. ‘Cheers’ to up to 70% faster cooling speeds, full extension shelving, and stainless steel interior and exterior. Available through Luwa Luxury Products,
www.luwaluxury.com
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WHEREVER PEOPLE RAISE A GLASS.
PERLICK RAISES THE BAR.
Discover how Perlick continues to push the envelope with industry-leading quality, state-of-theart manufacturing, and a fifth-generation commitment to providing the industry ’s most innovative products in refrigeration for the next century.
13500 Bel-Red Road, Suite One A | Bellevue 877.574.0770 | www.LuwaLuxury.com By Appointment Only (In-Person or Virtual)
THIS PAGE A suspended staircase to roof deck and gardens features double smoked oak engineered wood floors, perforated stairs, and steel guardrail. OPPOSITE Custom steel railings enclose the roof deck, crowning cantilevered primary bedroom with custom profile T&G cedar siding rainscreen with ebony stain. After Alpine Welding assembled the cantilevered pieces, they craned them up and spent four days welding the freezing steel into place during a February cold snap. Sapele wood clad aluminum windows. Infratech outdoor heaters.
SOUND HOUSE written by DONNA PIZZI photography by KEVIN SCOTT
AGAINST ALL ODDS, INCLUDING CHALLENGING SITE CONDITIONS, THIS STUNNING MODERN HOME IN SEATTLE’S MAGNOLIA NEIGHBORHOOD, DESIGNED BY ARCHITECTS GO’C AND BUILT BY THOMAS FRAGNOLI CONSTRUCTION, SURPASSED OWNERS BRANDON EBEL AND SARAH JIO’S IMAGININGS.
THE TELLING OF RECORD PRODUCER BRANDON EBEL’S NEAR 20-YEAR-LONG-DREAM of building a spectacularly modern house with a 360-degree view of Seattle might sound as if it were torn from the pages of New York Times bestselling author Sarah Jio’s novels. In her latest book, With Love From London, Sarah credits Brandon for inspiring the book’s location after proposing to her in London. The fact she wasn’t wild about modern architecture initially might have scuttled the whole adventure had it not been for the dynamic team of GO’C and Thomas Fragnoli Construction the couple put together. Well versed in modern architecture and design, Brandon developed an impressive list of companies that ranged in location from Seattle to Australia to design and build the home of his dreams. It was Sarah, however, with whom he first shared his deep longings. “After Brandon convinced me of the beauty and simplicity of a modern home,” says Sarah, “he told me about Jon Gentry and Aimée O’Carroll of GO’C in Seattle, two architects he regarded as true artists with tons of potential.”
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LEFT Luceplan Mesh pendant draws the eye to plaster chimney, steel mantel, and Isokern woodburning fireplace. Blue velvet B&B Italia Ray Sectional with B&B Italia Harbor chairs and ottoman. Restoration Hardware rug. UPPER RIGHT Primary bedroom’s DWR Matera Bed overlooks deck to view beyond. LOWER RIGHT Frosted primary bath windows create intimate bathing in luxurious Boffi Fisher Island tub. Interceramic tumbled marble mosaic tile wall. Dornbracht shower system. RBW Crisp Light wall sconces. Teak deck.
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Sarah’s kitchen draws warmth from clear cedar ceiling playing off the GO’C designed and Scott Faulkner built custom walnut cabinets. Faulkner’s custom dining table continues the look. Dornbracht Tara Classic faucets tie to Pro Chef Julien sink. Vent-A-Hood crowns Lacanche range. Scricanich Natural Stone fabricated marble countertops and backsplash. Article Sede counter stools. True Refrigeration column unit. Polished concrete floors feature radiant-hydronic heating. “Alpine Welding did structural and architectural elements in the house in their shop. Staircase handrail, left, was done on site then twisted and welded in place,” says Thomas.
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THIS PAGE GO’C designed custom walnut cabinets built by Scott Faulkner gracefully rise to meet the clear cedar ceiling - a testament to Thomas Fragnoli Construction’s ability to create custom vents hidden above cabinets that promote a seamless look to the character of the house. DWR Wishbone Dining Chairs add graphic appeal to Faulkner’s custom dining table. OPPOSITE PAGE Vent-A-Hood draws eye to Sarah’s must-have Lacanche range that adds antique flare to kitchen’s modern design while artfully pairing with a cache of copper pots on pot rails against Carrera Marble backsplash. True wine fridge assists meal prep.
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It was the virtual 3D model presented by GO’C that proved Brandon’s instincts about them were correct. “We had a virtual walk through with headsets,” recalls Gentry, “and when Brandon, who is a very expressive person, went into the primary bedroom that has a dramatic cantilever to the south, he laid on the virtual bed and began exclaiming about how amazing it was to be in the space.” For Sarah, it was proof positive that Jon and Aimée had listened to their specific needs for a warm, well used, functioning household that soon would include six very divergent youthful personalities from their respective former marriages. Chris Thomas’s suggestion to take a seaplane to Lopez Island to tour one of the company’s recently completed homes clinched Brandon’s decision to team Thomas Fragnoli with GO’C whose previous collaborations had helped create a common understanding of how to realize a GO’C design. “We really connected up there,” says Brandon. Sarah, in turn, was bolstered by the realization the company knew how to construct a modern home with warmth. As owner of Tooth & Nail Records, Solid State Records, and co-owner of Caffe Vita coffee company, Brandon had used his negotiating skills to purchase the perfect hilltop lot for his dream house, then brought Thomas Fragnoli on before construction began to make sure the project was viable from a cost standpoint. “The original home, which we demolished, was a modest late 1920s house,” says Thomas. “The site for the 5,500 sq. ft. house GO’C designed was partially driven by the original location of the old garage on the north street side of the house.” From the street level, Sound House, named, in part, for Brandon’s love for music and the intertwining audio found throughout the home, features two main living levels. “At the heart of the house,” says Gentry, “is a double height living space with wood burning fireplace and chimney that
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extends vertically through the space. A lightweight steel bridge connects the upper level’s primary wing with the kids’ wing.” A daylight basement below opens onto the pool terrace, while a rooftop level is home to extensive gardens that supply Sarah with herbs, fruits, and vegetables for the gourmet meals she creates on her beloved Lacanche range for their family of eight. Ironically, on the way to the Lacanche showroom, the couple realized it was in GO’C’s building. “We called Aimée and Jon,” recalls Sarah, “and they popped down to consult on the color. It was Kismet!” Sarah adores showing visiting friends the many intimate touches found within the home as well. “The library is my favorite room in the house, which blends Brandon’s and my passions: music and books. We shared with Jon and Aimee how when we were falling in love, we sketched out the library/music room on the backs of napkins on the plane to Norway for my second book tour there.” She also describes to visitors how she finds the dark, moody powder room’s plastered dark blue walls and custom brass metal sink so elegant, dark, and whimsical.
LEFT “The Night Fair,” a painting by Tony Robert-Fleury, is subject of Sarah Jio’s next novel. It adorns the Regency gas fireplace in the cozy library, home to Brandon’s record collection and Sarah’s books. CENTER Powder Room’s custom brass sink designed by GO’C and built by Alpine Welding set against dramatic dark blue plaster walls and Allied Maker pendant. SP01 Design Michelle mirror. ABOVE Concrete pavers withstand daily use from family of eight. Sutherland Furniture outdoor seating beside firepit.
Throughout the construction period, Brandon, who was living nearby, would pop over for lunch meetings with the architects and contractors held in the tight quarters of the job trailer stationed on the street. “Chris would bring goodies and we’d all sit around the table talking through the specific details,” says O’Carroll. “It was great to have Brandon so readily available. He brought great energy and optimism
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to the project. When challenges arose that kind of attitude was key for the project’s success.” Brandon, in turn, appreciates Chris’s desire to make his customers happy. “Chris has this really chill vibe that really helped take the edge off of the stresses of homebuilding,” says Brandon. “We did things in construction,” admits Thomas, “that hadn’t been done before. One of the biggest challenges was for the structural engineer who had to stack a concrete wall on top of the swimming pool. GO’C had a vision for the pool and a seamless look of the concrete retaining wall diving into the water. The pool installers were brought into the design process to help realize the detail.” Although Brandon learned a lot from working with various excellent interior designers on previous homes, he wanted this house to be uniquely their own look with a clean, modern mix of inexpensive and ultra-modern furnishings from the likes of B&B Italia. “We opted to do the interior design on our own and selected all the hardware, faucets, and furniture. It helped that we were able to repurpose items from our previous homes, and for new purchases, we went with a simple, high-low mix, but chose less expensive barstools and dining chairs.” Perhaps the greatest testament to the passion that went into the architectural design and building of this extraordinarily modern home was evidenced the day Jon, Aimée, and Chris were invited to attend Brandon and Sarah’s wedding, which was held during construction.
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PROJECT SOURCES CONTRACTOR Thomas Fragnoli Construction thomasfragnoli.com ARCHITECT GO’C gocstudio.com APPLIANCES Vent-A-Hood luwaluxury.com
LEFT “On the north street view of Sound House, the architecture offers privacy and protection through site walls and wood screens,” says Gentry. Custom wood screens with ebony stain frames the bridge between kids and primary wings. Corten Steel door pops against stucco finished garage. Custom Corten steel planters adorn garage roofing. Richlite trim panels above and below windows. Exterior plaster on main level. RIGHT Custom stainless steel weir cascades water into pool. “To create the effect of the concrete site wall “diving” into pool required sequencing of various trades to make it happen,” says Thomas.
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THIS PAGE The cedar and brass front door was crafted by Portland studio Quartertwenty. OPPOSITE PAGE In the living room, Freres combined an Italian leather sofa and a Seal Chair, both from Design Within Reach, with a custom Calacatta marble-and-brass coffee table, atop a Wool Loloi rug. The vibrant painting is “Leaving Madagascar” by Paton Miller from Butters Gallery. “I saw this piece and it sort-of took my breath away,” says Freres. “It brings so much story and conversation.”
SHELTER HOUSE
INSIDE AND OUT, THIS BEACH RETREAT IN ARCH CAPE, OREGON, EVOKES A SENSE OF CALM AND BELONGING IN THE LANDSCAPE, THANKS TO IMPECCABLE ATTENTION TO DETAIL FROM JHL DESIGN. written by MELISSA DALTON photography by LINCOLN BARBOUR
TOP LEFT The primary bathroom flows into the bedroom. TOP RIGHT “You feel enveloped in all of the wood,” says Horning of the primary suite, with ocean views via the floor-to-ceiling aluminum windows from Portland Millwork. The freestanding MTI tub enjoys sightlines to the water, as does the custom bed. BOTTOM LEFT In the guest room, Freres designed a builtin daybed with Holly Hunt wool and cashmere fabric, and Loro Piana velvet pillows and bolsters.
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BEFORE KARI AND MICHAEL LUBITZ STARTED BUILDING A BEACH HOUSE IN ARCH CAPE, OREGON, they knew what they didn’t want: nothing too large, or skewed towards traditional beachy style. In 2014, the couple bought an oceanfront lot four miles south of Cannon Beach, but they didn’t want the shingle-style and white trim that’s so prevalent along the coast. “We have a traditional house in Portland,” says Kari. “But for this one, I wanted to make something that felt like it belonged there in the topography.” The couple reached out to Holly Freres, Principal of JHL Design, as they’d worked with the interior designer since 2005, on projects that included their company offices and personal home. “I knew Holly is really easy to work with, and that she would take her design aesthetic and make something very comfortable for us,” says Kari. Freres took the lead on the home’s interiors, with husband and Principal at JHL Design, David Horning, designing the core and shell. “One of our main objectives was to create an architecture that would get out of the way and really focus on the beauty of the Oregon coast,” says Horning. The fact that everyone knew each other so well was a strength for the process. “We had a lot of trust and freedom to design something that met their mission,” says Freres. PortraitMagazine.com
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The wood covers the ceiling in the main room as well, and the exterior eaves, as seen through the windows from Portland Millwork. The floors are concrete with a radiant heat system underneath, and the metalwork at the fireplace is by Recychedelic. The paint throughout is Benjamin Moore. Freres designed the custom Oregon white-oakand-brass table, and surrounded it with Eames side chairs and Milo Baughman armchairs, all from Design Within Reach.
RIGHT “This is my favorite kitchen to work in because it’s so open,” says Kari. “And so many people can work around the big island.” It’s wrapped in PentalQuartz, with a Blanco sink and Kallista faucet, from Ferguson. The stove niche sports the same stone, with a Wolf cooktop and Vent-A-Hood extractor above. LEFT The Oregon white oak cabinetry throughout was fabricated by Oak Grove Cabinets. NEXT PAGE Cedar boards from Lakeside Lumber define the exterior, with clerestory windows from Portland Millwork.
The site though, it turned out, had constraints, being long and narrow, with ten-foot setbacks on both sides. It was close to the ocean, which was a plus, but also had flood plain restrictions that stipulated how high the finished floor could be off the ground. And then there were overall height limitations. “That really dictated the shape of the building, which is basically just a simple rectangle,” says Horning. So, Horning topped the home with a sloped butterfly roof that echoes the form of the nearby Neahkahanie Mountain. Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors on the ocean side frame the views. Those large expanses of glass from Portland Millwork are balanced elsewhere by high, clerestory windows, which capture the distant mountain tops and maintain privacy from the neighbors. The entry is centered on the front façade, and the sequence into the house plays with the Frank Lloyd Wright idea of compression and release, thanks to the roof ’s shape. From the front door, it’s possible to look through the length of the home, and glimpse the view at the back. Proceeding inside, the ceiling slopes gently down, creating a bit of tension with the perceived compression. Then, upon entering the main living spaces, 56
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the ceiling rises back up to meet the large windows, and it’s as if the architecture is expanding to draw in the natural surroundings and focus the attention. Horning’s 2500-square-foot plan accommodates three separate bedroom suites and a lofted bonus space, in addition to the main living areas. The primary suite is also at the rear of the house so as to benefit from the view, separated from the main space by an eight by ten foot, 650-pound, custom steel sliding door that pockets behind the fireplace. That way, the couple can leave it open and enjoy how the entire back of the house is spanned with glass, or close it for more privacy when they have guests. The material palette, inside and out, was kept restrained, so as not to distract from the natural beauty, and to make the home a true sanctuary from everyday life. “There’s only one kind of cabinet finish for the entire house. There’s one paint color. There’s the same materials throughout – wood, steel, concrete, and stone – but they’re very simple materials,” says Freres. “Nothing makes a statement.” That simplicity is also practical, PortraitMagazine.com
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PROJECT SOURCES HOME DESIGN & INTERIOR DESIGN JHL Design jhldesign.com LUMBER Lakeside Lumber lakesidelumber.com WINDOWS Portland Millwork portlandmillwork.com APPLIANCES Vent-A-Hood luwaluxury.com
making the home easy to maintain and clean. “It’s built to be really rugged,” says Kari. “Basically, everything is very durable.” The exterior is clad entirely in vertical strips of cedar that will patina gray with age, and suits the coastal context. “Originally, I wanted a multi-material exterior – maybe some metal and wood – but the environment there really dictates what’s best for the coast,” says Kari. That cedar was then carried throughout the interior, lining the walls in the principal bedroom, covering the ceiling, and brought outside to underscore the eaves for a seamless touch. Regarding the curated selection of furnishings and artwork, no detail went unconsidered, from the colors and textures, to a number of pieces Freres customized to the couple’s daily life. In the living room, the orange-toned leather sofa and vibrant painting play beautifully against the ocean setting, and in the dining room, Freres designed and commissioned a white oak and brass dining table large enough for family meals and puzzles to spread out. “The mission that they had in building this house was to have this retreat,” says Freres. “And for it to feel like a shelter where they could really unplug,” which explains why the home has since been dubbed Shelter House, and there’s no televisions to be found. “The house brings so much comfort and peace. From the elements it’s made from, to the way it’s designed, it just belongs there,” says Kari, which was exactly what she wanted from the beginning. “It’s nothing but relaxing.”
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SHOPTALK l JHL Design How would you describe each of your respective design styles?
Freres: I love a modern mix of vintage and new. When clients have antiques or family heirlooms, I am thrilled! I love a good story for bringing pieces together to add a personal touch to a space. We recently completed an interiors package that included pieces that were over 100 years old from the family that was building the home. Defining the personality of the space, whether it’s for a home or hospitality project, is a crucial part of our process. Although we live in a modern home, I love working on a traditional mix when I get the opportunity. Your team thrives in both high-end residential and commercial design. Does one area of design inform the other?
Horning: They can both influence each other. More than half of our clientele engages JHL for their homes as well as, their offices or development projects. Our clients come to us for great design ideas that are unique, and a level of service they know they can count on. Our projects are all specific to each directive and go through a meticulous process to understand the mission and vision. We get very intimate on the details of how people live and what a space needs to provide. What does building design and interior design collaboration look like for your team?
Horning: More and more clients want a one-stop shop. We tackle the big picture: how to site a home and determine where it will have great light. We also know how to make a space livable all the way down to the smallest details: how the window shades operate and where the shoes get tucked away. Our architecture team and interiors team work together throughout the entire process. We have design critiques from both teams along the way to make sure the design is consistent throughout. Some of our employees have been designing for more than 20 years, so there is a lot of knowledge to give. Holly and I met working together 15 years ago and have always appreciated how we can bring together the big picture and the most intimate details that make a space feel so considered. What aspects of your background and upbringing have shaped your design principles and philosophies?
Freres: My upbringing was a mix of living in Oregon and Louisiana - it was quite a contrast! With that in mind, I have many influences that inform my design principles. I love a well-curated museum, and I also love an eclectic French farmhouse. My mother brought me into the industry in the late 90’s; she taught me that every detail matters and never to compromise on quality. I am grateful for my family’s influence – both of my parents had family-businesses, so the work ethic and drive has been a constant part of my life. My family is deeply rooted in the wood products industry, so we love using wood to warm up a space. Our studio library is currently full of essentially any kind of wood species and finish you could dream up. I love a formal space, but practicality is solidly rooted in all my designs. I want a space to look great, but if it doesn’t live well then it won’t last. Our approach to design and environmental awareness is to do something once, and do it well, so that it lasts for decades. Favorite place to travel?
Freres: Cape Town, South Africa Horning: Greece Perfect weekend in the Northwest?
Freres: Being out in nature with my family – skiing, hiking, all of it. Horning: Wine country
David Horning & Holly Freres, Principals | JHL Design
How does your extensive travel and wanderlust impact your design style? Freres: My background is peppered with extensive travel and wanderlust. I feel very fortunate to be able to draw on many different cultural influences. My most recent overseas travel was to Indonesia, where we went on a wonderful shopping excursion and came home with some stunning artifacts, including handwoven Ikat fabric that I just adore. There are still so many places I want to visit – especially Greece and Morocco. My design is constantly influenced by what is out there – the global deep dive you can do from a magazine or online is invaluable, but there’s nothing better than spending a few weeks in a culture vastly different from your own to open your eyes.
THIS PAGE Custom banquette by Superior Cabinets features Thibaut fabric from The Dixon Group. Benjamin Moore Snowfall White walls with Balboa Mist millwork echo painted upper kitchen cabinets. Bistro style Pottery Barn chairs grace white painted Gat Creek (Designer Furniture Galleries) dining table. The Light Factory fixture provides touch of whimsy. OPPOSITE Cherry Creek Windows & Doors supplied new Marvin windows. House of Harris wallpaper adds cheer to space. Three unique storage cabinets by Superior Cabinets. Visual Comfort star-shaped brass light fixture, reiterated in living room, also from Designer Furniture Galleries at Seattle Design Center.
BUNGALOW GLOW UP written by DONNA PIZZI photography by MIRANDA ESTES
WHEN THE CHARACTERLESS, LAMINATED KITCHEN CABINETRY FROM A 1980S REMODEL OF THIS 1927 CRAFTSMAN BUNGALOW IN SEATTLE’S CHARMING MAPLE LEAF NEIGHBORHOOD BEGAN TO YELLOW AND PEEL, THIS COUPLE, WITH THREE LIVELY CHILDREN AND A DOG, KNEW IT WAS TIME TO UPDATE THE ONE ROOM WHERE EVERYONE LOVES TO CONGREGATE – THE KITCHEN.
The kitchen is grounded by Cement Tile Shop flooring featuring a bold blue star pattern reminiscent of European bistros the couple had visited while abroad. Above, Superior Cabinets custom wood lower cabinets pair with uppers painted in Hidden Cove gray. Between the two, texture sparkles amidst the Clé Tile backsplash with recessed niche. Tucked beneath the Vent-A-Hood, the recessed niche keeps cooking oils off counter. Brass jewel-toned adornments include Fox Mill lighting and Rohl fixtures from Ferguson, the supplier of all Bosch appliances - range, dishwasher, and refrigerator. After informative trips to local slab stores, Erika chose easy-to-clean Cambria quartz countertops.
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FOR THE PAST 17 YEARS, Erika Schuyler and her family have enjoyed all the charms of living in their 1927 Craftsman Bungalow in a part of Seattle they love. As their children have grown, however, the home’s shortcomings became apparent. In January 2020 Erika says, “We decided to update our home to make it more ours.” A friend recommended Amy Vroom of The Residency Bureau in Seattle, who offered multiple options on how to make the space friendlier for a family of five. “The dining area wasn’t in the original project,” says Amy, “but I felt it would be a missed opportunity if we didn’t incorporate it into the design.” By removing a partial wall that separated the kitchen from the dining area, she not only made the two areas more functional with better flow, but she also created an entire wall of storage where the dining table was once located. “Previously, you had to walk past an under-utilized bench on one side and the dining table on the other just to get into the kitchen,” recalls Amy. When problems arose with the first contractor, Amy recommended Gary Timpe of BrightWork Builders, LLC, of Seattle, whose over 20 years of experience began by restoring Craftsman homes. “I had to fix a few things,” says Gary, “beginning with a week-long demo of the kitchen’s subfloor. The prior contractor hadn’t fully glued down the concrete board, which would have quickly resulted in cracking tiles.” “A lot of care when into the design,” says Erika, who praises Amy’s decision to reorganize the spaces. “The new layout is smarter. While cooking, we can be with those in the living and dining room as well.” In place of the peeling laminate cupboards are a mix of cabinet finishes with painted above and wood below, grounded by the bold blue star tile that inspired the color palette for the design. In keeping with the Craftsman style, Amy also upgraded the mudroom, where children’s belongings once sat in three chaotic stacks. Beneath the recently added Marvin windows, Amy specified three separate built-in benches, which Gary had to deftly install to be square and plumb in an old house that had settled over the years. “Amy listened to what we wanted,” says Erika, who, in turn, took Amy’s advice to procure new furnishings. “It would have been terrible not to make the remodel look as good as it could after all she and Gary had done.”
PROJECT SOURCES CONTRACTOR BrightWork Builders brightworkbuilders.com
SELECT FABRIC The Dixon Group thedixongroup.net
INTERIOR DESIGN The Residency Bureau theresidencybureau.com
SELECT FURNISHINGS Seattle Design Center seattledesigncenter.com
WINDOWS Cherry Creek Windows & Doors cherrycreekwindows.com
APPLIANCES Vent-A-Hood luwaluxury.com
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LOOM HOUSE IS THE FIRST-EVER RENOVATED RESIDENCE IN THE WORLD TO BE AWARDED FULL LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE (LBC) CERTIFICATION, A DEMANDING SUSTAINABLE PROGRAM THAT CHARLIE HELLSTERN INTERIOR DESIGN, THE MILLER HULL PARTNERSHIP, CLARK CONSTRUCTION, AND ANNE JAMES LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT WORKED FLAWLESSLY TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE ITS STRINGENT DEMANDS.
LOOM HOUSE
written by DONNA PIZZI photography by HARIS KENJAR & KEVIN SCOTT
© HARIS KENJAR
LEFT Hellstern’s compressed entry box separates occupant from landscape, sky, and water. Stefan Gulassa fixture illuminates two levels. Jan Kath runner from Stacy Logan at Seattle Design Center. Owners curated library on floating shelves. THIS PAGE Conference room in north house doubles as guest room. Stefan Gulassa transformed a salvaged wisteria branch from dilapidated deck into chandelier. Sawkille Co. table. Chadhaus Studio Chairs. Insulated original roof and skylights above.
© KEVIN SCOTT
THIS PAGE Token Catenary Counter Stool becomes part of a moveable office with printer stored in island. Two-story steel curtain right acts as safety rail. Hellstern’s smoked walnut stained Tansu style custom casework by William Walker Woodworking houses refrigerator right, freezer left, espresso center. RIGHT Durante Furniture custom sofa in living area, located east of kitchen, is lit by new triple pane clerestory windows.
© KEVIN SCOTT
©HARIS KENJAR
THIS LITTLE PIECE OF ARCHITECTURAL HEAVEN perched upon a bluff overlooking Puget Sound might appear as if it has gone untouched since architect Hal Moldstad first designed it in 1968. Nothing, however, could be further from the truth. In fact, to realize their vision of building a beautiful home amidst the canopy of 100-year-old+ evergreens, the new homeowners turned to Charlie Hellstern Interior Design with whom they had worked on multiple other homes to put together an excellent team that included The Miller Hull Partnership, known experts in the Living Building Challenge (LBC). Thus, began what architect John MacKay calls the ripple effect. “Like throwing a stone in water,” he says, “the owners’ dedication to LBC wasn’t merely to achieve a certificate for their home alone. Instead, their goal was to spur sustainable renovations to existing single-family homes.” Moldstad’s original design featured two structures joined by a shared deck. The single-story north house, known as “Skoshi,” held a billiards room, while the two-story south house was a warren of small rooms above a garage. Because visitors were often confused about which house to turn to first, the team, who had gathered to discuss where to site a new carport, decided to create a new entrance to the home altogether. Anne James, the team’s landscape architect, recounts how a portal between a pair of giant evergreens became the new entrance via a floating bridge over the existing landscape of lush Japanese maples and rhododendrons. The team at Clark Construction, Inc., founder Rachele Turnbull, Project Engineer Tina Song, and Superintendent Justin Ansley, were tasked with following the strict LBC guidelines. “Some architects shoot for just one of its 7 Petals, such as net positive energy, i.e., not consuming more than you generate,” notes Song, “but when you throw additional petals into the mix: water systems, and red-list-free-materials, it’s more demanding.” Clark Construction was also responsible for dismantling by hand existing elements such as built-in bunkbeds, basement wood paneling, and exterior cladding. “They removed every single nail from the siding,” says MacKay. “Not damaging a 50+ year old board, storing it and then reinstalling it over a new exterior weather barrier, wrapped much tighter for today’s performance standards, is remarkable.” The restructuring of the south house, which Clark Construction took down to the studs, epitomizes the conceptual and physical elements of the aptly named Loom House. Working with a structural engineer, Miller Hull “wove” its two stories together with a curtain of steel acting as a
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Clerestory windows light kitchen. The low-iron glass above cooktop is back painted to match the wall without typical green tint found in regular glass. Fluid Concrete countertops. William Walker Woodworking casework integrated with both a convection and Pure-Line Combi-Steam oven. Miele appliances include Echo Tech Heat built-in dishwasher. Gulassa paper lantern seen through steel curtain out to garden at right.
©HARIS KENJAR
©HARIS KENJAR
©KEVIN SCOTT
safety guard rail between floors. “The stairs did not exist previously,” explains MacKay, who had the original concrete floor demolished to create a new polished concrete one with radiant heat. Throughout it all, the team had to vet every single product used on the site to assure it wasn’t red listed, a sometimes-nerve-wracking job. “If something was installed on a weekend that had been on the Red list,” says Ansley, “it would have been tough to get out.” The team embraced the home’s original darker palette, compressing the south house entry with a Shou Sugi Ban finish on the exterior wood cladding that now wraps the entry. There, a two-story paper lantern by Stefan Gulassa illuminates the connection between the floors, while subtly blocking the neighboring property. “We love how open we made things,” says Hellstern, “with steel mesh on the stair railings, timber dimensional stair treads and a finish on the upstairs wood floor resembling driftwood.” While the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) does not calculate loose furnishings inside its LBC buildings, Hellstern was inspired to follow the same rules demanded of the building materials and construction. After a proposed freestanding fireplace in the south house was nixed because of its noxious fumes, Hellstern designed a piece of furniture dubbed “Tête-à-Tête” that combines function and romance to enable the owners to continue their habit of reading book passages to one another, face-à-face. Constructed of FSC-certified Walnut, natural latex and OEKO-TEX certified linen, the furniture’s cushions are filled with steam cleaned feathers in a safe anti-microbial process. The removal of a dilapidated deck reaped another unexpected reward. The new owner, who works with branches in her woven fiber art, delighted 70
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LEFT Powder room at right of entry features William Morris ‘Bird & Pomegranate’ wallpaper. Stefan Gulassa sconce with layered transparent laminated paper. Fluid Concrete sink drains off linear pipe at sink back to not take attention from wallpaper. CENTER Chadhaus bench crafted from Pacific Northwest Walnut. Steel curtain’s tensioning vessels are located beneath family-collected rocks found on property in recessed area of floor. BELOW New prow deck on south house overlooks water. Previous deck was redesigned and re-detailed with modern style. Local beach rock mosaic table tops custom designed side table by artist Nadine Edelstein.
©KEVIN SCOTT
in Charlie’s idea to carefully remove its most beautiful wisteria branches for Stefan Gulassa to transform into the stunning chandelier lighting the Skoshi house studio table. “Although LBC regulations would not allow the adjacent fireplace to have any combustion,” adds Hellstern, “we held onto the masonry and created a light sculpture of LED arrays of a video of fire, which your brain remembers and recreates the sensation of warmth.” The great challenge for Anne James was to transform a fully developed garden formerly requiring intensive maintenance and high water use into a garden that would fulfill the demands of the LBC Petals. “First, we identified some key strategies to reduce irrigation water use that resulted in a 60% reduction from previous use,” says James. Large native evergreens were more carefully protected and high water use plants edited out. James also created a mycological foraging forest by introducing gourmet mushroom mycelium in various forms. In addition to the photovoltaic system installed on the south home’s roof that provides energy for the entire property, a backup battery system provides continued service. “Beneath the garden planted above the original gravel driveway,” says James, “is a 10,000-gallon cistern that collects rainwater off the roofs used for potable drinking water, washing and showering inside.” Everyone agrees the success of this innovative renovation is due to the homeowners’ devotion to undertaking the LBC challenge, along with the incredible dedication of each company member who worked tirelessly to create a model with global impact. Tina Song adds, “Typically the LBC is about architects and engineers, but I’d love to see more contractors get involved in the LBC workshop as well.” PortraitMagazine.com
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© CHARLIE HELLSTERN
©ANNE JAMES
ABOVE Cisterns collect rainwater off carport for vegetable garden. Grapes climb metal screens in between. UPPER RIGHT Gravel path meanders through landscaped former driveway. MIDDLE RIGHT Entry tree portal features pavers sliced from local granite boulders. Large sculptural boulder at path bend helps direct visitors toward entry. BELOW North house entire window wall opens. Special contractor removed invasive ivy replaced with native ground cover. Native willows stabilize slope. Nanawall bifold door. OPPOSITE Former driveway now boasts lush Black-Eyed Susans, Russian Sage, and Douglas Aster, all valuable insect pollinators. Katsura tree changes with seasons. Unilux windows throughout. Taylor Metals metal roof.
©KEVIN SCOTT
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©KEVIN SCOTT
©KEVIN SCOTT
Hellstern’s “Tête-à-Tête” chaise longue honor homeowners’ habit of sharing book passages with one another. “Though the interior furnishings are not required to follow LBC guidelines,” says Hellstern, “we made the conscious decision to meet the requirements for all of the interiors on this project, for the wellbeing of our clients and our makers.” By improving the original windows with expansive energy-saving triple pane glass, the highly performing building requires little energy to heat thanks to improved insulation, skylights, and windows. “The most comfortable home we’ve ever lived in,” say the owners.
PROJECT SOURCES CONTRACTOR Clark Construction Inc. clarkconstruct.com ARCHITECT The Miller Hull Partnership millerhull.com INTERIOR DESIGN Charlie Hellstern Interior Design charliehellstern.com LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Anne James Landscape Architect annejamesla.com SELECT FURNISHINGS Seattle Design Center seattledesigncenter.com
©KEVIN SCOTT
SHOPTALK l Charlie Hellstern When you founded your own firm, what were your goals? How have those evolved over time?
My steadfast goal to help people to discover a threedimensional expression of their personalities incorporating beauty in a way they may have never anticipated. Because my passion stems from helping people it has evolved to include healthy materials for our clients and the craftspeople who make our furnishings and build homes. When you enter a room, what’s the first thing you pay attention to?
Though I work in a creative field, I feel most like an analyst when I see a space for the first time. My mind is mapping what works, what doesn’t work and how I would go about making it better. What qualities create the atmosphere that a space is “designed for you?”
I measure success by my clients finding their personal spaces comfortable, and each project looks and feels different. The wish for comfort is universal but the answer to get there is unique to each person. What does it mean to you to be innovative in design?
Staying up on the latest research is a requirement for designers, however I feel like my most innovative work is the problem solving required to achieve the needs for each client in each space I work in. Through years of relationship-building, you have worked with an extensive community of artisans and craftspeople both locally and abroad; can you tell us about a recent collaboration that was integral to one your designs?
We are designing a line of furniture inspired by the nontoxic design work we did on the Loom House that met the Living Building Challenge which is the highest sustainable design award for built environments. We are working with Durante Furniture in Vancouver, BC who shares the same level of excitement for both furniture design and sustainable practices as we do. Does the ambition of designing unique spaces mean that the bar is continually raised for you personally? My work is unique because it reflects the values and desires of my clients. So, the bar is always raised for each project which is the juice that drives me. What kind of exciting and innovative ideas are you most looking forward to achieving with the advance of sustainable materials?
One of the exciting things about this evolution is learning more and more about the human and environmental health impacts from building materials and our clients are also learning to value these sustainability components more. I am encouraged by the transparency within the materials market which is why we are launching our own furniture line. I believe furniture labels should provide the same information that nutrition labels do. Do you have a dream project or dream location you’d like to work in? A boutique hotel in Chilean Patagonia.
Charlie Hellstern, Principal & Owner Charlie Hellstern Interior Design
six walls INTERIOR DESIGN
Custom Refined Aspirational Seattle: 206.275.3399 Denver: 303.856.6610
www.six-walls.com
For a chic statement piece in the dining area that serves as spare storage and display space, look no further than the Voyager from Cattelan Italia. Shown with three doors and bronze mirrored frosted glass with relief glossy black decorations for eye-catching appeal, with several frame and feet options available. Available through Kasala, www.kasala.com
EYE ON DESIGN
MOODY + REFINED
Set the tone with furnishings that create an elegant feel throughout the home. From Kara Mann’s collection, the Bantam Dresser is West-Coast inspired and brings a vintage vibe. Its oak case with clean angles pairs beautifully with Caviar Bronze knobs. Bringing edge and texture to the scene are the Bound Barstools, crafted from rattan and wrapped in Danish cord. Shown in Char finish and Fabric L1015 Coffee Frame with Black Danish cord, respectively. Available through the Baker | McGuire Showroom at the Seattle Design Center, www.bakerfurniture.com
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CLASSIC + SOPHISTICATED Mix and match black and white furnishings for a timeless look with a posh feel. From Arteriors, these artfully inspired pieces elevate your space with tasteful materials, elegant lines, and function for everyday living. Pictured: The Beckham Cocktail Table (left) and Lou Coffee Table (right); Breck Small Chandelier; Budelli Wing Chair in Cloud Boucle; and Turner Small Sofa in Muslin. Available through J Garner Home, www.jgarnerhome.com
The LGM Revolving Wall Bed & Home Office System
Revolving Library + Bed The LGM library with built-in desk revolves 180° to reveal a queen bed. Your décor stays in place for an effortless day-to-night transformation.
ResourceFurniture.com
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eye on design | STAYING ON TASK
POP UP OFFICE! The Home Office Sideboard and Flip Down Desk Units from Resource Furniture offer the perfect work-from-home setups with sophisticated space-saving features. Available through www.resourcefurniture.com
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1+2) Upgrade your cabinetry with Resource Furniture’s Home Office Sideboard. Versatile and compact, it folds open to a generous desktop and has storage capabilities above and below, through resourcefurniture.com 3) Flip-Down Desk Units are available in custom sizes and finishes, and integrates technology with innovative design. Options include LED lighting, built-in phone charger, outlets, and more, through resourcefurniture.com 4) From Schoolhouse, the Allegheny Plug-In Sconce is a stylish illumination solution for entryways, bedrooms, and living rooms. It’s square base perfectly pairs with its seventies inspired bullet-style swivel shade. Shown in Satin Black, through schoolhouse.com. 2
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ARCHITECTURE FOR YOU 206.291.6487
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www.click-architects.com
5701 6th Ave S #232 Seattle, WA 98108
CLICK ARCHITECTS
CONNECT WITH US: www.thedixongroup.net 206.767.4454
MODERN WHITE
Find sophistication in minimalist dining, especially in a bright and airy space. From Kartell, the Viscount of Wood table’s base maintains a subtle, angular footprint in chrome beneath a tabletop of lightweight wood. The Pium chair is a revolutionary product integrating technology and design, as it’s the first time a material containing carbon fibre has been injection moulded. What results is an ultralight chair less than five pounds that still maintains strength and flexibility, for indoor or outdoor use. Providing illumination is the Bellissima, clean and contemporary, available in a range of colors and finishes. Available through Kasala, www.kasala.com
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LANE WILLIAMS ARCHITECTS
POOLSIDE PARADISE
Make a splash with designer-approved dining! The Gallery 132" Dining Table from Sutherland Furniture unites a lavish mix of teak and aluminum in the frame with a Carrara marble top inset at the center. Perfect for entertaining and generously sized for a party of twelve, the Gallery Dining Table perfectly pairs with the Hurel Zephyr Stackable Dining Side Chair, with their clean-lined seatback and powder coated aluminum frame. Available in multiple finishes and colors through Perennials & Sutherland at the Seattle Design Center, www.perennialsandsutherland.com
PAINT Quench Blue 167-C1 sherwin-williams.com
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Color Crush PACIFIC BLUE
Welcome summer into your home with coastal- inspired blues, tan and textured accents, and creamy whites to keep it cool. Explore deeper hues of blue for a more grounded effect, with lighter blues for a breezy appeal. Tried and true, blue is easy to pair with most colors, making it well-balanced and a classic go-to for any space.
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1. IT’S A WRAP The Arteriors Olaf Chandelier is wrapped in natural abaca for a rustic organic look. jgarnerhome.com 4
(above) New from Four Hands, the Irving Outdoor Dining Armchair has a durable aluminum barrel-shaped frame wrapped in rope for textural impact. jgarnerhome.com
(above) Beachside presents and explores the range of architecture and design of the renowned homes in Vero Beach’s Windsor. powells.com
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2. POSH PARASOL From Santa Barbara Designs, the Petite Flamenco in Lavender Cloud with Summer Sky Ruffle will help beat the heat in style. santabarbaradesigns.com 3 +4. INDIGO ENVY Dive into a deeper blue in angles and abstract art with Christopher Farr|cloth’s Belge in Dark Indigo and Breakwater in Indigo, both in 100% linen. Available through thedixongroup.net 5. COOL CONCRETE Four Hands Denzel Coffee table has a cage-like iron base that supports a bowl shaped tabletop of white-finished concrete. Monochrome perfection. jgarnerhome.com
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6. GRILL MASTER Turn up the heat with the 42" Hestan Outdoor Deluxe Grill with Double Side Burner. Features rotisserie capabilities, halogen stadium lights, and high-performance power. Shown in Prince. Available through luwaluxury.com
OUTDOOR CULINARY OASIS
This summer, keep cool in the shade of an outdoor luxury kitchen with crowd-pleasing appliances, clean-lined cabinetry, and plenty of space to entertain. Danver’s sleek stainless steel cabinetry pairs seamlessly with grilling, roasting, and bartending essentials, while delivering plenty of storage and durability. Shown is the Key West door style in Metallic Bronze Matte, 100% Stainless Steel cabinets & pulls. Available through Danver, www.danver.com
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NOT SO BASHFUL BEGONIAS
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photos courtesy of Terra Nova® Nurseries, Inc.
ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF BEGONIAS from season to season, as alluring pops of color bloom against lush, delicately patterned foliage. Thriving in full shade, these plants make for decorative summer borders or easy additions to mixed containers. From Terra Nova Nurseries, our begonia picks will perk up your garden in time for summer. 1) Begonia T-REX™ ‘Painter’s Palette,’ resembling its namesake with red, charcoal black, green, and white patterned on artist’s palette shaped leaves. 2) Begonia COCOA™ ‘Enchanted Evening’ has clusters of hibiscus-like blossoms, large and shrimp pink in color against dark cocoa brown foliage for an elegant look. 3) Begonia COCOA™ ‘Enchanted Sunrise,’ large, salmon-orange beauties bloom against dark chocolate leaves with limegreen veining. 4) Begonia DAYSTAR™ ‘Yellow’ is perfect for hanging baskets, its large 3" yellow blooms vivid against patterned, dark foliage. Available through Terra Nova Nurseries, www.terranovanurseries.com
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COLLEEN KNOWLES INTERIOR DESIGN LEADS AN INTERIOR REFRESH ON A SHARPLY CONTEMPORARY HOME ON MERCER ISLAND, WASHINGTON, SWAPPING OUT BLAND FINISHES IN FAVOR OF ICONIC MODERN FURNISHINGS, A SOOTHING COLOR PALETTE, AND SCULPTURAL FORMS, IN ORDER TO CREATE A CHIC PERSONAL HAVEN FOR THE NEW OWNERS.
The living room is a light-filled sanctuary, thanks to tall windows and glass doors to the exterior deck, and an interior scheme by designer Colleen Knowles. The chic seating area has a J Redmond sectional and accent chair, the latter from Inform Interiors, around the Donghia coffee table. The Tufenkian Rug is from Driscoll Robbins. The dining room furniture is by McGuire, with statementmaking Melt Pendants by Tom Dixon, also from Inform Interiors.
LIGHT-FILLED HAVEN
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In the kitchen, marble mosaic tile from Ann Sacks covers the backsplash, joined by Benchmark Custom Cabinets and Caesarstone 4120 Raven on the perimeter counter. The stove hood is by Wolf and the Bensen island stools are from Inform Interiors. OPPOSITE In the entry, Knowles added a console table by McGuire and rug from Driscoll Robbins to join the existing custom light fixture.
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WHEN THIS NEWLY BUILT, CONTEMPORARY STYLE HOME ON MERCER ISLAND with came on the market in 2015, its newest owners jumped at the opportunity to buy it. They liked the home’s incredible views, the large glass doors and windows that fostered indoor/ outdoor flow, and that there was a primary suite on the main level. The only problem? It’s a high-end builder spec home, and many of the finishes needed to be upgraded and improved. In short order, the couple contacted local interior designer Colleen Knowles, who founded Colleen Knowles Interior Design and has been working in the industry for decades. “I really just love all the parts and bits that go into a big three-dimensional work of art, which is what a custom house interior is,” says Knowles. Over several years, Knowles refreshed the home’s interior to bring it up to the owners’ taste, exploring their passion for art and modern design and addressing an assortment of rooms, from the entry, to the main living spaces, to the primary suite. The process started with an all-new furniture plan, with Knowles introducing iconic modern brands like Donghia, Saarinen, and Tom Dixon, alongside custom-designed pieces, into the contemporary setting. An elegant color palette, composed of a medley of pale greys in the main rooms, further balances the graphic lines of the architecture and contrasts beautifully with the green of the trees outside. “I find the colors that are in the house to work really well with the Pacific Northwest light,” says Knowles.
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PROJECT SOURCES INTERIOR DESIGN Colleen Knowles Interior Design colleenknowles.com
In the living room, the interior designer’s starting point was the high ceilings, equally capacious black-framed windows and doors, and pale wood floors. Knowles anchored the room with a generous sectional from J Redmond on a Tufenkian rug from Driscoll Robbins, then layered in eye-catching sculptural forms, like a glass and metal Donghia coffee table. In the dining room, the Melt Pendants by Tom Dixon from Inform Interiors are suspended over a McGuire dining room table. The pendants are “really well-designed. They’re magic,” says Knowles, who likes how such artistic pieces create “bold, interesting moments” in the overall scheme. Updates to the kitchen followed, including a new Ann Sacks marble mosaic tile backsplash to replace the boring subway tile that was there before, and the primary suite, which now serves as a luxe retreat. In the bathroom, a geometric soaking tub sits atop an Ipe platform for a relaxing bath moment in front of a large window. The adjacent bedroom has a wall covered in textural Kneedler Fauchere wallpaper, a custom rug from Driscoll Robbins, and a Saarinen Womb Chair, all creating a feeling of being properly ensconced. “I just love the bedroom,” says Knowles, which takes after the rest of the house now. “It all just feels so good in a really modernist, clean way. It feels fabulous.” ABOVE LEFT In the primary bedroom, a textural Kneedler Fauchere wallcovering offsets the custom bed frame, with a custom rug from Driscoll Robbins and a Saarinen-style Womb chair through Modern Classics Furniture bringing modern coziness. ABOVE RIGHT In the primary bathroom, a Hydro Systems tub from Seattle Interiors was placed on a custom Ipe platform.
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SHOPTALK l Colleen Knowles
With over 30 years designing luxury properties on Mercer Island and in other prominent Seattle enclaves, your work has spanned everything from comprehensive interior design and project management to custom furniture design and art selection. What part of the design process do you find most rewarding?
The interactions with people; those on my team in the office; the clients that share their lives so deeply with me; and the makers that build, fabricate, detail and put together the myriad of things that go into building a custom home. It is a true collaboration of many, many folks with valuable expertises. I love how the group can put together something more than any one person could do alone. What was the “lightbulb” moment when you realized you wanted to pursue interior design?
I shadowed an interior designer in 5th grade as part of a class project and from then on it was my path through college and my career. It is a combination of creativity, art and organization that suits my personality. Several of your projects serve as family retreats; what is your approach to these spaces that make them unique in comparison to a family’s primary residence?
A retreat home starts with a story, a mood and feeling. As clients get further from their everyday lives they open up about their truest selves and that is special to incorporate into the design and planning. We build a story about what the home can become and the design can provide that vision and magic. Client’s have more emotion about a retreat and they live differently in them so we get to loosen the design reins and allow for more playful moments as well. Do you have a dream project or location where would you like to work?
I respect good architecture and my dream project is any that has a top notch architect and builder and understanding client working with me. I truly love working in the PNW but I’ve spent a lot of time in North Idaho and I’d love to do a project at Priest Lake ID if I’m dreaming. How many projects do you take on throughout the year? About 10
Latest design discovery?
Cashmere shag and roman clay paint. Hidden talent? Skiing Favorite city to visit? Jackson WY
Colleen Knowles, Principal | Colleen Knowles Interior Design
Favorite way to spend a weekend in the Northwest? Backcountry skiing or boating on Lake Washington.
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COLOR STORY
WHEN A SEATTLE-AREA COUPLE MOVE TO MORE ACREAGE IN DUVALL, WASHINGTON, THEY TAP REBECCA ROWLAND INTERIORS,
ALONGSIDE CONTRACTOR LAKEVILLE HOMES, TO TRANSFORM THEIR RUN-OF-THE-MILL SALTBOX INTO SOMETHING MUCH MORE PERSONAL: A HOME BURSTING WITH VIBRANT COLOR, BOLD PATTERN MIXING, AND REFLECTIVE OF THEIR FAVORITE PASTIMES. written by MELISSA DALTON photography by MIRANDA ESTES
In the kitchen, cabinets by United Wholesale are painted a vibrant teal, and grounded with black accents, via the black pearl granite counters, Hudson Valley Lighting, stove hood, and fireplace surround. Rowland carried the patterned Ann Sacks tile to the ceiling, and specified reclaimed wood shelves to suspend over the windows, so everyday items are easily accessed. A large island covered in Upper Spectrum Maple White quartz cedes into a comfortable, custom seating area in front of the fireplace. Mafi wood flooring by Greenhome Solutions brings character.
THIS STORY STARTS WITH A ROOSTER. Specifically, the rooster that Frederica Rose and James Chacon owned in their suburban home outside of Seattle. The year was 2019, and that summer, the couple bought some backyard chickens. Or so they thought. “One of our new chickens that we’d gotten turned out to be a rooster,” remembers Frederica. “And technically, where we were, it wasn’t illegal to have a rooster, but it’s really unfortunate for your neighbors.” In their attempt to muffle the rooster’s morning crow, the couple would put him in the laundry room at night. That was enough to inspire Frederica to take a property scroll on Redfin. “I was like, ‘James always said that he’d move out to the country, and maybe we could get acreage,’” says Frederica with a laugh. To their surprise, the very first home they visited was a winner: an expansive, recently-built Saltbox on ten acres in Duvall, Washington, forty-five minutes away. “It was really the first and only house we toured seriously,” says Frederica. “We thought it was kind-of funky. It had a magenta fireplace.” After purchase, Frederica wanted to work with a designer to make better color and lighting choices – no one being too keen to live with a magenta fireplace – and found interior designer Rebecca Rowland’s Instagram account, filled with the vibrant color and pattern that guides Rowland’s designs. “A lot of new construction feels really soulless to me,” says Frederica. “I wanted something with personality. I did not want a designer who was going to come in and give me the same white kitchen. That’s just not how Rebecca designs. She’s a pattern mixer and matcher.” On the first walk-through together, the group discovered that there was more to the house that didn’t suit the couple’s lifestyle: things like cheap cabinets in the kitchen, and a small dark shower and “faucet to nowhere,” says Frederica, in the primary bathroom. “I started with asking, ‘How can we make this house work better for you?’” says Rowland. The answers led to a new design plan that refreshed every room, either gutting and reorganizing it, like the primary bath, or touching up paint and lighting. In short order, contractor Rick Rahlfs of Lakeville Homes joined the team, and builder and designer developed a strong rapport solving site problems. “She’s a great listener, which I appreciate,” says Rahlfs. Adds Rowland: “The best part about the partnership is that they would take my ideas and figure out a way to make them possible.” The biggest overhauls were in the kitchen and primary bathroom, with the kitchen transformed by a new suite of cabinets in a rich teal color that Frederica fell hard for. “We looked at a lot of pictures
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ABOVE AND OPPOSITE Francesca’s craft room boasts Rebel Walls wallpaper and custom cabinets built with United Wholesale, and painted in Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage. A large Crate & Barrel table sits with a CR Laine bench and Vermont Woods chair, atop a Jaipur Rug. “It’s amazing storage,” says Frederica. “I’m always making something. And I didn’t have a room in our old house where I could do that. So, I basically told Rebecca that I wanted her to turn this room into something that would just be mine. And that’s what she did.”
of older style, English country kitchens,” says Frederica. “Once I saw a teal-colored cabinet somewhere, it couldn’t be anything else.” Rowland was immediately on board. “I’m never afraid of bringing dark colors to a kitchen. Sometimes it can feel fresher, not dark and moody, but just lovely and homey,” says Rowland. The interior designer balanced the jewel hue with a patterned tile backsplash, black granite counters, and Mafi wood floors from Greenhome Solutions. At the windows, Rahlfs crafted open shelves from reclaimed wood and galvanized pipe, and at the center of the room, a large island wrapped in bright white quartz steps down into a dining table, designed by Rowland and custom built by Rahlfs and United Wholesale. Surrounded by vintage chairs, and placed in front of an existing fireplace, it’s a set-up the couple gravitate to constantly: “We spend so much time in the kitchen now,” says Frederica. Instead of a formal dining area, the adjacent room was turned into a dedicated games room. For it, Rowland designed custom navy-blue shelving, with grass cloth walls and a curated selection of wall art from the owners’ collection. A round table, perfect whether the couple are playing cards, Dungeons & Dragons, or recent favorite Wingspan, is encircled by upholstered CR Laine chairs that are comfortable to sit in for long sessions. At the ceiling, a surprise: wallpaper that depicts a map of the world, carefully installed between the painted box beams. “That was inspired by their travel photos,” says Rowland. Equally personalized was Frederica’s craft room. There, Rowland specified custom cabinets painted Saybrook Sage by Benjamin Moore, for art and knitting supplies. An inky wallpaper sports a bird and
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LEFT Rowland added a powder bath and ensconced the walls in Morris & Co wallpaper, from Kelly Forslund at the Seattle Design Center. A Signature Hardware sink and faucet, are joined by a Cooper Classics mirror and Visual Comfort sconce. RIGHT In the primary bathroom, gorgeous Tilebar tile in the shower provides a focal point, with Mission Stone Tile on the floor. Rowland turned the challenge of a vanity under the windows into a striking design moment, with suspended mirrors and pendants above the Pental counter.
nature motif, while a large table lets Frederica spread out projects, and various lighting picks by Rowland enable crafting no matter the time of day. In the primary bathroom, Rowland introduced a large walk-in shower with patterned tile on the floor, and a mural-like tile scene in the shower. “In finding that tile for them, I was able to use it like a wallpaper,” says Rowland. When a vanity needed to stay below an existing window, Rowland specified suspended mirrors that Rahlfs installed seamlessly. “I don’t know how our bathroom manages it, but it both fits in a farmhouse and makes me feel like I’m on vacation in Hawaii,” says Frederica. The end result is a home for Frederica and James woven with a consistent thread: that of brilliant color and pattern mixing that feels personal to the clients’ passions in life. “There’s not a lot of trends here,” says Rowland. “The goal is to not make someone’s home a time capsule, but to make it somewhere that they’re going to love for a long time. When I look at this project, that’s what I see.” And as for the rooster? He’s got a private coop and plenty of new friends. “We have about sixty chickens at this point,” says Frederica. “That’s what happens when you live out here.”
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PROJECT SOURCES CONTRACTOR Lakeville Homes lakevillehomes.com INTERIOR DESIGN Rebecca Rowland Interiors rebeccarowlandinteriors.com SELECT FURNISHINGS Seattle Design Center seattledesigncenter.com SELECT FLOORING Greenhome Solutions ghsproducts.com
In the games room, a Theodore Alexander table from DFG at the Seattle Design Center sits with CR Laine chairs. Custom shelving, designed by Rowland and built by Superior Cabinets, is painted a blue hue by Benjamin Moore, to sync with the sepia tones of the Schumacher map wallpaper above. The artwork is from the homeowners’ collection, reflecting their love of travel. “Rebecca is kind-of magic,” says Frederica, of how the designer threads elements together.
Your design firm is known for imaginative, characterdriven design of vintage homes; how do you approach this aesthetic?
SHOPTALK l Rebecca Rowland
For me, more powerful than any Pinterest board a client might give me is what I see and hear when I’m walking through a space, so I always start there. Every home is asking for something as particular as the client, and I consider it my job to make them both happy. I want to polish the house to be its best self, so that my clients can live their best life. Moreover, bringing back or creating character is a careful balance. I aspire to avoid time capsules in older homes or dissonance in new builds. Instead, I aim to create a sense of layered timelessness. No one should walk into one of my projects and easily discern the year it was completed. When did you first become interested in design and what was the journey to eventually building your own firm?
I’ve been staring at walls and reworking rooms in my imagination for as long as I can remember. I just didn’t know that interior design was a profession that I could explore. The journey to my own firm was through visual merchandising and retail marketing – creating spaces that draw in the customer led me to create beautiful spaces in the home and soon I decided to make it my sole career. Working for corporations like Amazon gave me the skill set to be an entrepreneur. As much as I wish my job was just picking out pretty things, the level of detail and business operations involved requires a lot of discipline and process and other tasks that we take on, so our clients don’t have to worry about them. But the best part about being a growing firm is that I’m slowly getting to spend more time on design thanks to my talented team: Kimberly, Jocelyn and Emily. What kind of reaction do you hope to get from people that live in your spaces?
That it’s more than they ever dreamed of but exactly what they wanted. Your projects are infused with color and pattern; do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
Nature is my go-to inspiration – where better to look for bold colors and textures working together harmoniously? My current inspiration is the dwellers of the National Aquarium – the variety of patterns under the sea is an incredible feast for the eyes. I’ve been studying and drawing them since my last visit and plan to incorporate my interpretations into future wallpaper and fabric designs. Favorite design detail of your childhood home?
Built-in bookshelves – I’ve always been obsessed with beautiful library spaces. Prized possession?
A vintage mid-century modern dresser that I inherited from my mother. Favorite city to visit? London. I never tire of it. Before the pandemic, I’d go at least once a year. Favorite era of design? Art Deco. The patterns and architecture - love. What is your dream project?
A funky, fun vacation home that allows for tons of bold choices.
Rebecca Rowland, Owner & Principal | Rebecca Rowland Interiors
THIS PAGE A high-pile Turabi Rug Gallery rug grounds The Dixon Group’s Robert James coffee table. Blu Dot chaises play off Made Good lamps flanking metal Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams wall ornament. Playful woman’s bust vase. OPPOSITE From Seattle Design Center: Regency style John Pomp sideboard from Trammel Gagne ties to Carlisle Wallcovering on credenza from Jennifer West. Arteriors oval glass crystal chandelier echoes Powell & Donnell table base. Silk starburst Turabi rug pattern radiates from center of table.
THE BONDS OF TRUST CREATED BETWEEN THE NEW OWNERS OF THIS LAKE WASHINGTON WATERFRONT HOME, NB DESIGN GROUP, AND SCHULTZ MILLER CONTRACTORS FUELED THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSFORMATION OF THIS 6,000 SQ. FT. HOME THAT FEATURES ELEMENTS OF SOPHISTICATION REMINISCENT OF HOLLYWOOD REGENCY ART DECO GLAM MIXED WITH UNEXPECTED, PLAYFUL TOUCHES.
GLAM TOUCH written by DONNA PIZZI photography by ANDREW GIAMMARCO
KNOWN FOR THEIR WIDE RANGE OF STYLES AND AESTHETICS, NB Design Group partners, Whitney Maehara and James Fung, seemed to be the right fit for the new owners of this waterfront home to bring the couple’s very specific vision to life. “They wanted something playful and fun with a little bit more glamour than found in most Pacific Northwest homes,” says Maehara, “with high contrast in the finishes and colors, yet still defined by a sense of humor.” Although little of the home’s architecture was changed, Maehara and Fung brought on Schultz Miller, with whom they had often worked with success, to undertake the complex geometry involved in replacing a window in the living room with a large, curved sliding door. “It speaks to our history,” says Maehara, “and our trust that they know what they’re doing to work out the details on site.” The fact the young family with two children had no plans to bring over any of the furnishings from their former home gave Fung and Maehara a clean slate from which to work with endless possibilities. One of the givens, however, was orienting the design toward the stunning view on the one hand and
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THIS PAGE Visual Comfort pendants add organic, contemporary element to existing kitchen. Theodore Alexander dining chairs echo contrasting shades of graphic Kyle Bunting rug. Design Within Reach marble oval table reiterates shape of DR chandelier. OPPOSITE The properly constructed wine room features a slatted oak ceiling, porcelain floor pavers, a custom Rhino Wine Cellars wine racking system and a dedicated ventilation system. Restoration Hardware chandelier adds Regency touch. Moody Cup O’ Java Benjamin Moore paint. Vigilant Humidor between English Elm wingbacks.
existing elements such as the living room fireplace on the other. “We wanted to make the space intimate and useable,” says Fung, “so we chose two chaises that open toward the water yet embrace the fireplace. Two swivel chairs softened by angular curves create a space that’s visually interesting and versatile.” In the adjoining dining room, the Hollywood Regency aesthetic is evident in the unique Powell and Bonnell dining table that features a sculptural metal base and thin marble slab top. The cut of the Kravet dining chair backs opens the view to the striking base, notes Maehara. Even the existing casework was glammed up with the addition of wood veneered wallpaper inside and out. As part of the design process, Maehara and Fung like to present several pieces at once to give the homeowners a feel for an entire space. In the kitchen, where the existing cabinetry, appliances, backsplash, countertop, and hardware remained intact, the designers contrasted the all-white cabinetry with a high-pitched rug with graphic patterns reminiscent of an Art Deco feel. A former workout room was fully transformed into a sleek wine room resplendent in dark, moodier rustic layered elements that include a pair of blue leather wingback chairs flanking a cigar-filled humidor for a cozy man cave experience. Schultz Miller gutted the room, isolating the space completely from adjacent rooms, adding spray-foam insulation on the walls and ceiling. A vapor barrier was installed with a dedicated ventilation system that makes cigar smoking viable. A playroom located above the garage is tailored to both young and old alike. A billiard table and wet bar cater to the adults, while the children can play games, watch sports shows or host birthday parties in the same space, while sleepovers are easily accommodated in the nearby kid-friendly bunkroom with dual bunk beds. “We appreciate working with clients who are willing to take risks, letting our firm take on the interior design role wholeheartedly to envision their home,” say Maehara and Fung. “There was such a nice, trusting openness between us and our clients that there was never anything we couldn’t present to them,” adds Fung. PortraitMagazine.com
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Located over the garage, the playroom is the family’s gathering place when alone upon layered but connected furnishings – including a sectional by Crate & Barrel, pair of sculptural Pacha wool bouclé chairs perfect for kids to snuggle in. A Burke Décor burl wood coffee table on Lucite legs sits upon a Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams rug. Williams Sonoma Home stainless side table. A Restoration Hardware chandelier crowns the area above the billiard table. Adult wet bar at right.
PROJECT SOURCES CONTRACTOR Schultz Miller schultzmiller.com INTERIOR DESIGN NB Design Group nbdesigngroup.net SELECT FURNISHINGS The Dixon Group thedixongroup.net Seattle Design Center seattledesigncenter.com
SHOPTALK l NB Design Group
As you both completed degrees in Architecture, what was the “lightbulb” moment when you realized you wanted to pursue interior design?
It was pretty early on in each of our respective Architecture programs (James at University of Washington, and Whitney at Boston Architectural College) when we realized that we were yearning for design that was more personal and less restricted. For both of us this led us quickly into residential interiors where we were interacting face to face with the end user/client and where our design was translating directly to how they lived. Favorite part of the design process?
The start of projects is exciting because the possibilities seem endless. Brainstorming with each other and understanding what each of our initial takes on a project is always fun and surprising, even after so many years of business together. Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
We have built a design business that brings in a lot of varied clients and projects, so there is never a lack of inspiration. This allows us to put on different hats and engulf ourselves in different aesthetics and styles that keeps our day to day interesting and pushes us to continuously learn and practice new skills and ideas. Has creativity always come naturally to you?
Yes. While neither of us grew up in the “design world” or in families that would have ever hired interior designers themselves, both of us have always understood how important place and home is for everyone, and the role that design plays in that. Coming from a more technical educational background in architecture, we both came to find that were looking for something more creative and hands on. Interior design seemed to bridge that gap and create a platform for us to explore our creativity in a more tangible and worthwhile way. How has coming from East Coast cities and returning to Seattle influenced your design style?
It has brought both of us a much more diverse idea of what design can and should be. More importantly, it has allowed us to quickly switch between styles for every project and not feel constrained by a regional aesthetic. Outside of design what interests you?
Being able to experience the talents of other creatives outside our own design industry. This could range from music, theater and the performing arts, to amazing food and cocktails from talented chefs and mixologists. What’s next? To continue creating spaces that give our clients a firm sense of place and home while challenging ourselves to make sure that the industry is more diverse, thoughtful, and purposeful than when we started in it. Favorite city to visit for inspiration? WM: New York City JF: Mexico City
Whitney Maehara & James Fung, Principals | NB Design Group Prized possession?
WM: A leather trunk that my great grandparent’s brought with them from Japan when they immigrated to the United States.
JF: A painting from local artist Joe Park. He and his family have been incredibly supportive of me and my career since I was in college so to be able to now have one of his pieces hanging in my home is very special. Favorite way to spend a weekend in the PNW? WM & JF: Definitely NOT hiking… What is your dream project?
WM: I still want to work on a boutique hotel. JF: It would be fun to collaborate on a set design for a theater or some other live performance.
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RESOURCES & INSPIRATION PORTRAIT OF SEATTLE H O M E
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T R A V E L
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L I F E S T Y L E
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Architect Designed Modern Homes That Maximize Space
Eco Savvy Architecture
Environmentally Positive Living
DESIGN INSPIRATION
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THOMAS FRAGNOLI CONSTRUCTION www.thomasfragnoli.com
GUS* MODERN www.gusmodern.com
THE RESIDENCY BUREAU www.theresidencybureau.com
ARCHITECTURAL MATERIALS ARIZONA TILE www.arizonatile.com
CAESARSTONE www.caesarstoneus.com
CHERRY CREEK WINDOWS & DOORS www.cherrycreekwindows.com
APPLIANCES
GREENHOME SOLUTIONS www.ghsproducts.com
LUWA LUXURY PRODUCTS www.luwaluxury.com
WINDOWS DOORS & MORE www.windowshowroom.com
HESTAN www.hestan.com
WESTERN INTERLOCK www.westerninterlock.com
PERLICK www.perlick.com
BOOKS
TRUE RESIDENTIAL www.true-residential.com VENT-A-HOOD www.ventahood.com
ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS & CONTRACTORS
CHARLIE HELLSTERN INTERIOR DESIGN www.charliehelstern.com CLARK CONSTRUCTION INC. www.clarkconstruct.com CLICK ARCHITECTS www.click-architects.com
COLLEEN KNOWLES INTERIOR DESIGN www.colleenknowles.com GO’C www.gocstudio.com
HAMOR & NAEGL CUSTOM BUILDERS www.hamorandnaegl.com
IRELAND GENERAL CONSTRUCTION www.irelandgeneralconstruction.com JHL DESIGN www.jhldesign.com
LAKEVILLE HOMES www.lakevillehomes.com
LANE WILLIAMS ARCHITECTS www.lanewilliams.com
MCCULLOUGH ARCHITECTS www.mccullougharchitects.com NB DESIGN GROUP www.nbdesigngroup.net
REBECCA ROWLAND INTERIORS www.rebeccarowlandinteriors.com SCHULTZ MILLER www.schultzmiller.com
SIX WALLS INTERIOR DESIGN www.six-walls.com STURMAN ARCHITECTS www.sturmanarchitects.com SUMMERS STUDIO www.summers.studio
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ÉLITIS www.elitis.fr/en
BRIZO www.brizo.com
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DISPLAY UNTIL 9/15/2022
THE MILLER HULL PARTNERSHIP www.millerhull.com
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BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING www.bloomsbury.com POWELL’S BOOKS www.powells.com
RIZZOLI www.rizzoliusa.com
VENDOME PRESS www.vendomepress.com
FOUR HANDS www.fourhands.com
J GARNER HOME www.jgarnerhome.com KARTELL www.kartell.com KASALA www.kasala.com
KUZCO LIGHTING www.kuzcolighting.com
LE JACQUARD FRANCAIS www.le-jacquard-francais.com MADE GOODS www.madegoods.com
MUSEUM QUALITY FRAMING / FRAME CENTRAL www.pnwframing.com PERENNIALS & SUTHERLAND www.perennialsandsutherland.com RESOURCE FURNITURE www.resourcefurniture.com SABA ITALIA www.sabaitalia.it
SANTA BARBARA DESIGNS www.santabarbaradesigns.com SCHOOLHOUSE www.schoolhouse.com
CABINETRY
SEATTLE DESIGN CENTER www.seattledesigncenter.com
SIEMATIC SEATTLE www.siematic-seattle.com
THE DIXON GROUP www.thedixongroup.net
PARR CABINET DESIGN CENTER www.parrcabinet.com
FABRICS & FABRIC SHOWROOMS CHRISTOPHER FARR|CLOTH www.christopherfarrcloth.com THIBAUT www.thibautdesign.com THE DIXON GROUP www.thedixongroup.net
FLOWERS
DAVID AUSTIN ROSES www.davidaustinroses.com
KAILLA PLATT FLOWERS www.kaillaplattflowers.com
TERRA NOVA NURSERIES www.terranovanurseries.com
HOME FURNISHINGS, RUGS & LIGHTING ALORA LIGHTING www.aloralighting.com
ARTERIORS www.arteriorshome.com
BAKER FURNITURE www.bakerfurniture.com
CAPITAL LIGHTING www.capitallightingfixture.com CATTELAN ITALIA www.cattelanitalia.com
SEATTLE LIGHTING www.seattlelighting.com
LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS & ARCHITECTS
ANNE JAMES LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT www.annejamesla.com CAMBIUM LANDSCAPE www.cambiumlandscape.com
OUTDOOR KITCHENS
BROWN JORDAN OUTDOOR KITCHENS www.brownjordanoutdoorkitchens.com
DANVER STAINLESS OUTDOOR KITCHENS www.danver.com TREX OUTDOOR KITCHENS www.trex-outdoorkitchens.com
PAINT
FARROW & BALL www.farrow-ball.com
MILLER PAINT www.millerpaint.com RODDA PAINT www.roddapaint.com
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS www.sherwin-williams.com
ADVERTISER INDEX Arizona Tile ................................................29 Cambium Landscape .................................91 Cherry Creek Windows & Doors .................30 Clark Construction Inc................................11 Click Architects ...........................................83 Danver Stainless Outdoor Kitchens ...........15 Greenhome Solutions ...............................21 Hamor & Naegl Custom Builders ..............31 Ireland General Construction ....................89 J Garner Home ............................................ 8 Kasala .......................................................... 3 Lane Williams Architects ............................85 LUWA Luxury Products ...............................37 McCullough Architects................................. 9 Museum Quality Framing / Frame Central ................................ IFC, 82 Parr Cabinet Design Center ......................... 6 Resource Furniture ....................................80 Seattle Design Center .................................. 4 Seattle Lighting .........................................13 SieMatic Seattle .........................................BC Six Walls Interior Design ...........................76 Sturman Architects ....................................21 The Dixon Group ........................................83 Western Interlock ......................................33 Windows Doors & More .............................14
FEATURED DESIGNERS
CHARLIE HELLSTERN ..................................75 Charlie Hellstern Interior Design www.charliehellstern.com COLLEEN KNOWLES ...................................97 Colleen Knowles Interior Design www.colleenknowles.com HOLLY FRERES & DAVID HORNING ............59 JHL Design www.jhldesign.com REBECCA ROWLAND ................................107 Rebecca Rowland Interiors www.rebeccarowlandinteriors.com WHITNEY MAEHARA & JAMES FUNG .......113 NB Design Group www.nbdesigngroup.net
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