If you read my previous post on Pittsburgh then you know that I have an interest in architecture. One of my favourite styles is mid-century design. I've worked in several furniture stores that sold classic styles such as Eames & Bertoia. If I was to choose my dream home, it would not be a mansion with a triple car garage. My taste leads me to a horizontal home with angular features such as a slanted roof and a car port. Think "Brady Bunch" exterior with a "Mad Men" interior.
Social Media has allowed me to start online friendships with people who live all over the world. On Instagram for example, I often check to see who likes or comments on my artwork. Perhaps they have similar interests and tastes? A few weeks ago I came across Audrey, a free lance writer living in Seattle. After browsing through her photos, I was drawn to her design choices and her stunning home. I'm not a shy person and if I lived near her I would invite myself to see it in person...it's that good! I asked her if she would be willing to share some photos on my blog and she was up for it.
As I look outside & see snow falling onto the ground, I will just close my eyes and picture myself in her dreamy yard.
Audrey and her husband are DIY professionals in my opinion. They have already tackled the exterior, modernizing it with black paint and building the most amazing upper/lower decks and fences. They are currently finishing renovations on the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms and backyard. Busy I know...and she is also home schooling their two sons. I asked her to share a bit about the house and this is what she had to say:
This looks like it's out of an issue of Dwell magazine! Her husband has incredible carpentry skills.
Those angles get me excited!
"We moved into our home two years ago. We had been searching for our home for almost a full year after looking, while we were renting. We really wanted a mid century modern home, specifically a Burrows home. He was a well known contractor in the 1950's who had moved to Seattle from California. He had absorbed the styles of Eichler, Neutra, and Alexander and wanted to build homes like that in the Northwest. After searching the slim active listings, we found our dream home built in 1958 by John Burrows."
The details such as the wood ceiling & brick work surrounding the fireplace are original.
For $20 Audrey purchased this 4x8 piece of Douglas Fir from a local Lumbar Yard & created this simple mantle.
"The home owners were retiring and wanting to move out of state. I immediately contacted them by email and waited on pins and needles until I heard from them the next day! Our style is eclectic. I tends towards mid century and Scandinavian modern, with a dash of bohemian thrown in."
This corner is full of texture. Her Fiddle- leaf fig is thriving in this natural light...I'm jealous!
I can't pick my favourite element in this room, the puppy...the light fixtures...the wall of windows...or the view into the yard? It's all so good!!!
This hallway leads you to the bedrooms. Audrey recently painted this cross on the wall & wasn't sure if her husband would like it. He came home from work & helped her measure to make sure it was perfect. True DIY love people!
This area of the kitchen has already been renovated. Don't we all wish we could look out those stunning windows while we did the dishes.
Open shelving & a black and white colour scheme add to the modern kitchen.
I had to include this photo as the view out that window is breath-taking.
I hope that Audrey will share more of her home with us in 6 months or so, to see what projects have been crossed off the list. I'm excited to see what those bathrooms are going to look like as we also want to re-do ours. I haven't been to Seattle, but if I go please note I will be stopping by for a tea.