Bright Midcentury-Modern House in Seattle

Bright Midcentury-Modern House in Seattle

The owners of the home in Seattle’s Laurelhurst area are incredibly lucky — they inherited a houseful of midcentury-modern furniture from a family member in Chicago, they desired to incorporate into their newly renovated home. But for interior designer Robin Chell, the windfall of classic decor was both a boon and a small challenge. Says Chell, “Our aim was not to re-create or preserve a midcentury-period piece, but rather to build upon the top of these elements, while creating a home setting which is totally new and relevant to contemporary living.”

in a Glance
Who lives here: Two and their 2 children
Location: Seattle
Size: 2,650 square feet
That’s intriguing: The owners inherited most of the midcentury and period furniture.

Daniel Sheehan Photography

Architect team Coop 15 eliminated the ground floor bedrooms and relocated them upstairs, creating an expansive, multipurpose ground floor living area that was functional while keeping an overall openness.

Daniel Sheehan Photography

The Orange Slice Chair, initially designed by Pierre Paulin in 1960, is the focal point in the living area. The ceiling and fireplace were painted white to reflect the natural light coming in from the outside and accentuate the warm tone of their hardwood flooring.

Chell took colour inspiration for brand new furniture from a number of those first bits: A green apple-hued lamp, by way of instance, prompted the incorporation of a variety of green tones to new furniture, cloths, vases and a wall covering in the dining area.

“It had been a challenge and joy to incorporate furniture that the family inherited, such as both classic armchairs, side table, the illuminated globe and the glowing green lamp on top of the armoire,” states Chell, who picked the grey upholstery for those armchairs and matching sofa, providing a neutral background that highlights the green accents at the decor.

Daniel Sheehan Photography

The home responds to its context: Natural light fills the entire first floor, and the blues, greens and yellows from the interior add a springlike texture to the home — even when the weather outside is gloomy. “Seattle is known for our drizzly weather, which can mean grey skies from late fall through winter and spring. But you’d never know it based on the glowing interior of the space,” states Chell.

Ceiling paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; kitchen wall paint: Sailor’s Sea Blue, Benjamin Moore

Daniel Sheehan Photography

The client chose a lively glass mosaic backsplash, with all elements of the sun and sky reflected in the bits. Chell claims that it was very important to her customers to bring elements of colour and light in their home. Straightforward pendant lights hang over the kitchen island so that the backsplash would take centre stage.

Kitchen Islands: Pendant Lights Done Right

Daniel Sheehan Photography

The entrance to the home sets the tone for a subtle circle theme with the sunburst mirror, which can be repeated throughout the home.

Daniel Sheehan Photography

Case in point: the most playful circle theme at the kids’ bathroom, with bubble pendant lights, circular-pattern rubber flooring and penny-round mosaic shower tiles. “This tile has been inspired by early-20th-century tile, so it has a playful, retro look,” states Chell.

The children’s bathroom comes with a glow-in-the-dark vinyl laminate counter tops. Chell affirms that the children “absolutely love their bathroom.”

Countertop: laminate, Abet Lamenati

Daniel Sheehan Photography

Coop 15 integrated a large frosted glass wall to offer lots of privacy and light in the couple’s bathroom. The mirrors extend the circle theme. A walnut vanity reflects the home’s midcentury heritage.

Daniel Sheehan Photography

At night, light spills from inside the home, allowing the various spaces in the home to stand out: the round bathroom mirrors leave a dark haze in the upper left, there is a glimpse into a bedroom in the upper right and the expansiveness of the living area is highlighted on the floor level.

Chell states, “There’s a brightness and energy which permeates in this home as a result of the remodel and redesign. Being at the space is very uplifting.”

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