Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Bright Midcentury-Modern House in Seattle
A treasure trove of vintage furniture gets a new look against a backdrop of warm wood floors and light colors in a Washington state home
The owners of this house in Seattle's Laurelhurst neighborhood are extremely lucky — they inherited a houseful of midcentury-modern furniture from a family member in Chicago, which they wanted to incorporate into their newly renovated home. But for interior designer Robin Chell, the windfall of vintage decor was both a blessing and a slight challenge. Says Chell, "Our goal was not to re-create or preserve a midcentury-period piece, but rather to build upon the best of those elements, while creating a home setting that is completely fresh and relevant to contemporary living."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their 2 kids
Location: Seattle
Size: 2,650 square feet
That's interesting: The owners inherited most of the midcentury and period furniture.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their 2 kids
Location: Seattle
Size: 2,650 square feet
That's interesting: The owners inherited most of the midcentury and period furniture.
Architect team Coop 15 removed the ground floor bedrooms and relocated them upstairs, creating an expansive, multipurpose ground floor living area that was functional while maintaining an overall openness.
The green Orange Slice Chair, originally designed by Pierre Paulin in 1960, is the focal point in the living room. The ceiling and fireplace were painted white to reflect the natural light coming in from the outdoors and accentuate the warm tone of the hardwood floors.
Chell took color inspiration for new furniture from some of the original pieces: A green apple-hued lamp, for example, prompted the incorporation of a variety of green tones into new furniture, fabrics, vases and a wall covering in the dining area.
"It was both a challenge and joy to incorporate furniture that the family inherited, including the two vintage armchairs, side table, the illuminated globe and the bright green lamp on top of the armoire," says Chell, who chose the gray upholstery for the armchairs and matching sofa, providing a neutral background that highlights the green accents in the decor.
Chell took color inspiration for new furniture from some of the original pieces: A green apple-hued lamp, for example, prompted the incorporation of a variety of green tones into new furniture, fabrics, vases and a wall covering in the dining area.
"It was both a challenge and joy to incorporate furniture that the family inherited, including the two vintage armchairs, side table, the illuminated globe and the bright green lamp on top of the armoire," says Chell, who chose the gray upholstery for the armchairs and matching sofa, providing a neutral background that highlights the green accents in the decor.
The house responds to its context: Natural light fills the entire first floor, and the blues, greens and yellows in the interior add a springlike feel to the house — even when the weather outside is dismal. "Seattle is known for our drizzly weather, which can mean gray skies from late fall through winter and spring. But you'd never know it based on the bright interior of this space," says Chell.
Ceiling paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; kitchen wall paint: Sailor's Sea Blue, Benjamin Moore
Ceiling paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; kitchen wall paint: Sailor's Sea Blue, Benjamin Moore
The client chose a vibrant glass mosaic backsplash, with elements of the sun and sky reflected in the pieces. Chell says that it was important for her clients to bring elements of color and light into their home. Simple pendant lights hang over the kitchen island so that the backsplash would take center stage.
Kitchen Islands: Pendant Lights Done Right
Kitchen Islands: Pendant Lights Done Right
The entrance to the house sets the tone for a subtle circle motif with the sunburst mirror, which is repeated throughout the house.
Case in point: the playful circle motif in the kids' bathroom, with bubble pendant lights, circular-pattern rubber flooring and penny-round mosaic shower tiles. "This tile was inspired by early-20th-century tile, so it has a playful, retro look," says Chell.
The children’s bathroom features a glow-in-the-dark plastic laminate countertop. Chell affirms that the kids "absolutely love their bathroom."
Countertop: laminate, Abet Lamenati
The children’s bathroom features a glow-in-the-dark plastic laminate countertop. Chell affirms that the kids "absolutely love their bathroom."
Countertop: laminate, Abet Lamenati
Coop 15 incorporated a large frosted glass wall to provide plenty of light and privacy in the couple's bathroom. The mirrors extend the circle motif. A walnut vanity reflects the home’s midcentury heritage.
At night, light spills from inside the house, allowing the various spaces in the home to stand out: the round bathroom mirrors leave a shadowy haze at the upper left, there is a glimpse into a bedroom at the upper right and the expansiveness of the living area is highlighted on the ground level.
Chell says, "There is a brightness and energy that permeates in this home as a result of the remodel and redesign. Being in the space is quite uplifting."
Chell says, "There is a brightness and energy that permeates in this home as a result of the remodel and redesign. Being in the space is quite uplifting."