Houzz Tours
My Houzz: A Woodsy Home Welcomes Animals and Plants
An open-hearted couple builds a home in the forest that shows a love of the land and (almost) all of its inhabitants
Peggy and Bob Aronson found their 5-acre property on Craigslist, then built their home from the ground up. The couple devoted themselves completely to planning, building, decorating and landscaping their new home, resulting in a comfortable and cozy space that embraces the outdoors. "Rarely does a day go by that I have not planted a plant or tended to the surrounding flora and fauna in some way," Peggy says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Peggy and Bob Aronson; their 2 dogs, Chandler and Tula; and their cat, Lucky
Location: Port Orchard, Seattle
Size: 2,104 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Peggy and Bob Aronson; their 2 dogs, Chandler and Tula; and their cat, Lucky
Location: Port Orchard, Seattle
Size: 2,104 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Although Peggy did not consider herself a gardener when she first started two years ago, the process has made her one. The Aronsons hired Hedahl Landscape to develop a landscape plan, and Peggy took it from there.
The couple installed low-maintenance pasture grass in the backyard. "Once it is established, we won't have to water it in the summer months, and I envision keeping goats on the property in the near future," Peggy says.
"We call our home Furwood, because it’s in the middle of a forest of fir trees and because we love animals. We have two big dogs and one cat at the moment, although that is always subject to change if I decide to take a trip to the shelter."
"We call our home Furwood, because it’s in the middle of a forest of fir trees and because we love animals. We have two big dogs and one cat at the moment, although that is always subject to change if I decide to take a trip to the shelter."
Bob's vision for their home included a fireplace and covered exterior spaces. Slate tiles cover the fireplace surround and run all the way to the ceiling. The living room displays Peggy's love of color and vintage finds.
Sunlight spills into the dining room. The home has five sets of doors leading onto the grounds. The wood used in the home was grown and milled locally. Other green features include an energy-efficient hydronic heating system and a water-saving recirculating pump. The couple chose to not install air conditioning.
Peggy's favorite place to shop is the Humane Society Thrift Store in Bend, Oregon, where she found their dining room table. "Every time we go there I end up filling up our SUV," she says. "Every purchase means they get to do more good work for the puppies and kitties."
Dining chairs: Northwest Design Center
Peggy's favorite place to shop is the Humane Society Thrift Store in Bend, Oregon, where she found their dining room table. "Every time we go there I end up filling up our SUV," she says. "Every purchase means they get to do more good work for the puppies and kitties."
Dining chairs: Northwest Design Center
Peggy took up quilting when Bob was away for periods of time in the Navy. She had her own practice for 10 years as a mental health counselor and was advised to complement her work with a creative hobby.
"I consider quilters to be the original recyclers, taking scraps from old clothes and piecing them together into something not just useful but beautiful," she says. "This is a nice metaphor for what I have tried to do with our home. While the shell may be new, our home is filled with collected items, many that others have cast off. Even our pets are shelter rescues. Add to that the element of color, and you start to get the sense of my decorating philosophy."
"I consider quilters to be the original recyclers, taking scraps from old clothes and piecing them together into something not just useful but beautiful," she says. "This is a nice metaphor for what I have tried to do with our home. While the shell may be new, our home is filled with collected items, many that others have cast off. Even our pets are shelter rescues. Add to that the element of color, and you start to get the sense of my decorating philosophy."
Bob loves his office because of its gorgeous sight lines.
A granite scrap salvaged from a larger job makes up the kitchen's countertop. Peggy collaborated with a local ceramic artist, Patty McQuillen of Crowfoot Studio, to create the tile mosaic on the backsplash. The warm colors used in the mosaic represent the home's color palette.
Stools: Northwest Design Center; light fixtures: Murray Feiss Lighting; countertop: Grandy Marble and Tile
Stools: Northwest Design Center; light fixtures: Murray Feiss Lighting; countertop: Grandy Marble and Tile
The tansu in the master bathroom inspired the space's built-in cabinetry. A rock-wall backsplash highlights the room's double sinks and forest view. A laundry room sits conveniently next to the space.
Tile: Island Pebble in Aberdeen Gray, United Tile
Tile: Island Pebble in Aberdeen Gray, United Tile
The upstairs bedroom serves as a combined guest room and Peggy's quilting studio. She selected paint colors with interior designer Dana Petrick. "Life is too short for beige," says Peggy.
The front covered entry includes a quiet and comfortable place for sitting and enjoying the garden. Peggy made the quilted pillow covers.
Sconces: Hubbardton Forge; rug: Target
Sconces: Hubbardton Forge; rug: Target
A shipping container purchased from the Port of Tacoma serves as a storage and utility shed.
"We love to enjoy a glass of wine by the outdoor fireplace," Peggy says. She repainted these ceramic garden stools with a red glossy finish for a burst of color.
Peggy loves sunflowers and grows them in the backyard, along with squash, zucchini and tomatoes, in raised planting beds built from logs on the property.
A hammock provides a nice place for resting on one of Peggy's colorful quilts and dreaming about a future home project.
The Aronsons were delighted to discover signs of beavers on their property and a hidden pond in the forest.
"We welcome deer and rabbits — our four-legged pruners — eagles, snakes, mice, beaver and any other animals that pay us a visit," Peggy says. "Except for maybe bears. I’m afraid of them."
"We welcome deer and rabbits — our four-legged pruners — eagles, snakes, mice, beaver and any other animals that pay us a visit," Peggy says. "Except for maybe bears. I’m afraid of them."
Here is Peggy Aronson in her garden with Chandler and Tula. She plans to install more raised planting beds to stoke her newfound love of gardening. "I initially thought I was going to build this house and change the yard here and there. Well, it changed me," she says.
Builder: Joe Klinker of Olympic Ridge
Architect: William Langemack, Bainbridge Island, Washington
Houzz call: Share your creative family home with us!
Builder: Joe Klinker of Olympic Ridge
Architect: William Langemack, Bainbridge Island, Washington
Houzz call: Share your creative family home with us!