Happy Thanksgiving (giving thanks to modern interiors)

Architecturally, I define our home as "soft industrial." Exposed douglas fir softens the open living space, while concrete floors, stainless steel and dark hues of grey give our home a little "edge." The following renderings depict the outside of the home:

Our approach to the interior design of the home (the furniture, fixtures, art...every detail that completes the experience of the space) is defined just the same.

I have spent the better part of the past 6 months (with the fantastic support of my mom), reading modern blogs and magazines and gathering design ideas. "Modern" can be minimalist, but still prohibitvely expensive. The key is to be creative and resourceful. Good design can be luxurious and not so costly.

Without giving too much away, here are a number of images that have inspired the interior experience of our home:

Permit Received!

Last permit approved and received. Let the games begin!

In the Beginning....

...there was a family of 4, living in a home in a great location, near fantastic schools, with excellent neighbors, but whose space (or lack there of) was simply cramping. The idea of "renovation" seemed surreal, but one of few viable options. That's all it took -- an idea. 1430 102nd Avenue NE will never be the same because of it.

We probably tossed around the idea of renovation for about 3-4 months before something clicked. I happened to be flipping through Seattle Magazine and was inspired by an unassuming marketing ad for a local designer/builder. I picked up the phone and contacted the company. That's all it took -- a phone call. That phone call inspired more phone calls which bred more meetings that brings us to where we are now -- renting a 2 bedroom condo, in a predominantly senior citizen (I think we bring the average tenant age down to 75) building with 2 small children who refuse to walk from room to room (running and jumping are their motion of choices), awaiting our last permit from the City. It's only been about 3 weeks, and we've already been threatened by the condo president about "our problem" (i.e. the little "disturbances" who refuse to walk and wake up before the sun has opened her eyes). I could go on about this, and I probably will as this blog progresses, but I can't sign off without introducing our dream team -- our architects and builder.

Steve and Eric from  MWWorks oddly enough, know our design perspective better than we do. Their vision is fantastic and we are so excited to be working with them. Robert Irish from Robert Irish Dwellings completes our dream team and this blog will illustrate his incredible craftsmanship.

Welcome to our world for the next 10 months. We hope you enjoy the ride as much as we do.

Cheers!

Michael, Brett, Eli & Olivia

Then....