Houzz Tour: Artistic and Playful Update for a Seattle Tudor
Original stained glass windows, ornate millwork and classic proportions suit this home’s fresh take on traditional
Becky Harris
4 December 2018
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
Photos by Haris Kenjar
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Artist Mattie Iverson, her two young daughters and their labradoodle
Location: Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle
Size: 3,500 square feet (325 square meters) plus finished attic and basement spaces
A new glass cube that serves as a side entry is a sign that style surprises await inside this Seattle Tudor-style home. Artist Mattie Iverson, who lives here with her young twin daughters and their labradoodle, had a clear vision for a remodel that would preserve and highlight the best aspects of the original home while freshening it up in an artistic, family-friendly way. She assembled a local design team that included DeForest Architects (architecture), NB Design Group (interiors) and Lockhart Suver (contractor). The remodel was a mix of decorating (including new paint, furniture and built-ins) in some rooms and complete renovations of the bathrooms, basement and attic.
“Mattie had a vision of creating a place for her family to experience and create art and to appreciate and reinterpret history,” architect John DeForest says. “She always has a creative approach to parenting and lifestyle, and this led to playful ideas in the design of her home.”
The redesign team was careful to preserve and honor original elements such as stained glass windows, carved wood columns, ceiling tracery, light fixtures and the rooms’ classic proportions. But a lighter, more minimalist color palette that provides a good backdrop for artwork, a range of furnishings from different eras, new built-ins and updated finishes add to the layers of the home’s 100-year history.
Assemble a local design team with help from Houzz
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Artist Mattie Iverson, her two young daughters and their labradoodle
Location: Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle
Size: 3,500 square feet (325 square meters) plus finished attic and basement spaces
A new glass cube that serves as a side entry is a sign that style surprises await inside this Seattle Tudor-style home. Artist Mattie Iverson, who lives here with her young twin daughters and their labradoodle, had a clear vision for a remodel that would preserve and highlight the best aspects of the original home while freshening it up in an artistic, family-friendly way. She assembled a local design team that included DeForest Architects (architecture), NB Design Group (interiors) and Lockhart Suver (contractor). The remodel was a mix of decorating (including new paint, furniture and built-ins) in some rooms and complete renovations of the bathrooms, basement and attic.
“Mattie had a vision of creating a place for her family to experience and create art and to appreciate and reinterpret history,” architect John DeForest says. “She always has a creative approach to parenting and lifestyle, and this led to playful ideas in the design of her home.”
The redesign team was careful to preserve and honor original elements such as stained glass windows, carved wood columns, ceiling tracery, light fixtures and the rooms’ classic proportions. But a lighter, more minimalist color palette that provides a good backdrop for artwork, a range of furnishings from different eras, new built-ins and updated finishes add to the layers of the home’s 100-year history.
Assemble a local design team with help from Houzz
The glass mudroom entry was the only addition to the house, which was built in 1915. “We agreed that it should be a modern and minimalist contrast to the original architecture,” DeForest says. “It provides a convenient entry from the driveway, boasts a view of Elliott Bay and brings light into the north side of the house. And it also serves a practical function, as the original house didn’t account for all the shoes, backpacks and outdoor gear that go with modern family life.”
A simple rack makes a minimalist version of a coat closet, helping to maintain the open views. Ottomans provide perches for putting on and taking off shoes, and indoor plants blur the lines between inside and out. “Mattie loves plants and wants her girls to be in touch with growing things,” DeForest says. “One of them has a ‘responsibility cart’ full of growing things to care for.”
A simple rack makes a minimalist version of a coat closet, helping to maintain the open views. Ottomans provide perches for putting on and taking off shoes, and indoor plants blur the lines between inside and out. “Mattie loves plants and wants her girls to be in touch with growing things,” DeForest says. “One of them has a ‘responsibility cart’ full of growing things to care for.”
Original Architecture Gets a New Look
The Beezer Brothers, the architects who designed the home over a century ago, were known for designing Catholic churches and schools, so they were very familiar with stained glass, which they used all over the house. The windows were in great shape; their colors and motifs vary from room to room.
While much of the original woodwork, including moldings and ceiling tracery, had been preserved in form, it had been painted and stained in many different colors and finishes over the years. The original beauty of the wood itself was lost, so painting the woodwork a light color wasn’t an agonizing decision.
“The consensus among Mattie and the design team was that the lighter color palette would bring out the beauty of the original stained glass windows and the intricate wood carvings and make the most of Seattle’s often overcast skies,” DeForest says. “The effect was dramatic, bringing a new feeling of lightness and calm to the home while emphasizing the original architecture.” The wire chandelier is contemporary but its silhouette plays off the original geometry of the millwork.
As for furniture, Iverson’s desire for a sense of playfulness and flexibility can be seen in the living room. In a 1915 Tudor-style home, we might expect to see lots of heavy pieces, ornate touches and dark wood. But Iverson opted instead for a modular modern sectional that puts the focus on the architectural details in the room. The piece faces all four walls, which lends an art gallery or museum feel that lets those seated appreciate whatever is on each wall, whether it’s the historical windows or a painting. And the sectional turns a formal space into one the family can enjoy casually and comfortably.
Find modern and contemporary white chandeliers in the Houzz Shop
The Beezer Brothers, the architects who designed the home over a century ago, were known for designing Catholic churches and schools, so they were very familiar with stained glass, which they used all over the house. The windows were in great shape; their colors and motifs vary from room to room.
While much of the original woodwork, including moldings and ceiling tracery, had been preserved in form, it had been painted and stained in many different colors and finishes over the years. The original beauty of the wood itself was lost, so painting the woodwork a light color wasn’t an agonizing decision.
“The consensus among Mattie and the design team was that the lighter color palette would bring out the beauty of the original stained glass windows and the intricate wood carvings and make the most of Seattle’s often overcast skies,” DeForest says. “The effect was dramatic, bringing a new feeling of lightness and calm to the home while emphasizing the original architecture.” The wire chandelier is contemporary but its silhouette plays off the original geometry of the millwork.
As for furniture, Iverson’s desire for a sense of playfulness and flexibility can be seen in the living room. In a 1915 Tudor-style home, we might expect to see lots of heavy pieces, ornate touches and dark wood. But Iverson opted instead for a modular modern sectional that puts the focus on the architectural details in the room. The piece faces all four walls, which lends an art gallery or museum feel that lets those seated appreciate whatever is on each wall, whether it’s the historical windows or a painting. And the sectional turns a formal space into one the family can enjoy casually and comfortably.
Find modern and contemporary white chandeliers in the Houzz Shop
This photo offers a closer look at the original carved wood columns, the stained glass and the radiator cover. The white shadowbox artwork and the plants provide organic silhouettes, a contrast to the geometric millwork. Simple white planters make the foliage stand out, and there’s a strong connection between the plants and the green hues in the stained glass. Classic Danish modern chairs add a midcentury modern layer of history to the home.
These are the original oak floors, refinished to a lighter and more natural shade.
These are the original oak floors, refinished to a lighter and more natural shade.
Just off the living room is the sun porch, revamped with paint, a new built-in bench and new furniture. The original picture windows provide views of the tree canopy, framed by stained glass sidelights and arched transoms. A built-in bench provides a comfy spot to admire the trees-and-water view or read a book, while a trio of poofs provides kid-size seating in playful geometry and colors.
The team completely renovated the powder room but salvaged one original touch. Iverson wanted to preserve these original light fixtures, so she found a local shop to rewire them and replace the original tubes with LEDs.
Across from the living room is the dining room, which also received a cosmetic makeover, including new paint and furniture. This room also has tracery on the ceiling, and another contemporary white chandelier keeps the focus on the intricate woodwork.
This is a dining room meant to be used all day, and not just for dining. The table is made for spreading out projects, the light walls provide a nice backdrop for colorful paintings and a new window seat offers a sunny place to sit.
And get a load of the green dining chairs — they’re wearing the furniture equivalent of a hoodie. The top can be folded down over the back or propped up to transform the seat into a high-backed chair. (The pair of chairs on the right side of the photo show it both ways.) This is another playful design element in a house made fun and comfy for young children.
This is a dining room meant to be used all day, and not just for dining. The table is made for spreading out projects, the light walls provide a nice backdrop for colorful paintings and a new window seat offers a sunny place to sit.
And get a load of the green dining chairs — they’re wearing the furniture equivalent of a hoodie. The top can be folded down over the back or propped up to transform the seat into a high-backed chair. (The pair of chairs on the right side of the photo show it both ways.) This is another playful design element in a house made fun and comfy for young children.
The staircase was an opportunity for Iverson to create a gallery wall. On the main floor she incorporated more colorful works, but closer to the landing they morph into a collection of graphite-on-paper pieces in a mix of white, black and light wood frames. This keeps the artwork from competing with the colors and intricacies of the large stained glass window in the landing area. The window keeps the stairway lit naturally even on Seattle’s grayest days.
This area makes one of the strongest cases for the new white paint, which here highlights the original stained glass beautifully. And note that this is a spot that doesn’t have a contemporary white chandelier. The original crystal chandelier looks as fabulous as it did the day it was installed more than 100 years ago.
An Insider’s Guide to Creating the Perfect Gallery Wall
This area makes one of the strongest cases for the new white paint, which here highlights the original stained glass beautifully. And note that this is a spot that doesn’t have a contemporary white chandelier. The original crystal chandelier looks as fabulous as it did the day it was installed more than 100 years ago.
An Insider’s Guide to Creating the Perfect Gallery Wall
Thanks to a recent remodel by a previous homeowner, the kitchen needed very little work. The biggest change was replacing the previous renovation’s polished marble floor, which felt out of place. The oak matches the rest of the flooring in the house, but the chevron pattern is unique to the kitchen.
Find a traditional range hood in the Houzz Shop
Find a traditional range hood in the Houzz Shop
New Built-Ins and Bathrooms Upstairs
On the second floor, the design team kept the majority of the original walls in the bedrooms intact and used Baltic birch plywood, or Europly, to delineate any new built-ins.
The master bedroom’s rectilinear canopy bed and built-ins add modern lines, while a long built-in desk provides views out to the trees. It’s a sunny spot where the terrariums and houseplants the homeowner loves can thrive and bring life into the room. It also provides a space for working on projects alone or with her daughters.
On the second floor, the design team kept the majority of the original walls in the bedrooms intact and used Baltic birch plywood, or Europly, to delineate any new built-ins.
The master bedroom’s rectilinear canopy bed and built-ins add modern lines, while a long built-in desk provides views out to the trees. It’s a sunny spot where the terrariums and houseplants the homeowner loves can thrive and bring life into the room. It also provides a space for working on projects alone or with her daughters.
A comfortable sitting area in the master bedroom is large enough for Mom and her two girls. The sofa, side tables and planters throw some curves into the space, balancing out the strict lines of the bed and built-ins.
Both upstairs bathrooms were completely renovated. This is the master bath. The previous, not-original pink marble, onyx and brass decor wasn’t what Iverson had in mind when she envisioned a calming space. “The goal was for it to be a sanctuary, a quiet space that played with light and texture,” DeForest says.
Now the room is calm and serene, with the neutral color palette putting the focus on texture. The 3D tile mimics some of the home’s original geometric millwork in a modern way. Light washes down from a recess at the top of the wall to emphasize the dimensionality of the tile.
Family members love their Japanese soaking tubs. This one is crafted from Port Orford cedar. So are the vanity top and a small countertop in the water closet.
Now the room is calm and serene, with the neutral color palette putting the focus on texture. The 3D tile mimics some of the home’s original geometric millwork in a modern way. Light washes down from a recess at the top of the wall to emphasize the dimensionality of the tile.
Family members love their Japanese soaking tubs. This one is crafted from Port Orford cedar. So are the vanity top and a small countertop in the water closet.
In their shared hallway bath, each girl has her own Japanese soaking tub-shower combo. The 3D tile has a traditional pattern similar to the ceiling tracery on the main floor, while contemporary accessories provide pops of green inspired by the stained glass windows.
Unique Beds for Each of the Twins
The twins’ rooms received new built-in platform beds and surrounds. “Mattie had very specific design directions for her daughters’ rooms,” DeForest says. Both of them have new built-in platform beds that are loaded with storage and display space, which frees up floor space for playing. The Baltic birch plywood has a light Scandinavian modern feel.
The twins’ rooms received new built-in platform beds and surrounds. “Mattie had very specific design directions for her daughters’ rooms,” DeForest says. Both of them have new built-in platform beds that are loaded with storage and display space, which frees up floor space for playing. The Baltic birch plywood has a light Scandinavian modern feel.
Attic Highlights Antique Architecture in a Modern Way
The attic underwent a complete renovation that included creating a sitting area and a guest bedroom and bathroom. “The attic was one of the most fun challenges with this project,” DeForest says. “Like much of the rest of the house, the space was very dark, with a dropped ceiling and stained plywood panels that were not original to the house. Mattie’s vision was one of a big skylit room, with a loosely defined central seating area around a wood-burning fireplace.”
A modular sofa similar to the one in the living room encourages lounging, climbing, perching and flopping. To play off the Tudor-style geometry, DeForest opened up the drop ceiling and added a skylight. He clad all the surfaces in fir plywood with a light white stain to accentuate the angles of the multigabled roof.
The attic underwent a complete renovation that included creating a sitting area and a guest bedroom and bathroom. “The attic was one of the most fun challenges with this project,” DeForest says. “Like much of the rest of the house, the space was very dark, with a dropped ceiling and stained plywood panels that were not original to the house. Mattie’s vision was one of a big skylit room, with a loosely defined central seating area around a wood-burning fireplace.”
A modular sofa similar to the one in the living room encourages lounging, climbing, perching and flopping. To play off the Tudor-style geometry, DeForest opened up the drop ceiling and added a skylight. He clad all the surfaces in fir plywood with a light white stain to accentuate the angles of the multigabled roof.
A curve crafted of translucent polycarbonate panels encircles the sitting area and provides contrast to all the sharp angles. And it encourages exploration and games of hide-and-seek.
There’s also a guest bedroom and bathroom up here. A simple platform bed tucks snugly beneath the gable.
More Space to Create
The project included finishing the basement, which now has a guest bedroom, kitchenette, laundry room, workroom and art studio. The artistic plant rack was fashioned from copper plumbing pipes.
Takeaways
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The project included finishing the basement, which now has a guest bedroom, kitchenette, laundry room, workroom and art studio. The artistic plant rack was fashioned from copper plumbing pipes.
Takeaways
- Clearly describe your lifestyle and what’s important to you to your design team at the start of the design process. Here it was about being comfortable and cocooned together as a family, appreciating art and history, instilling a sense of responsibility through caring for plants and inspiring creativity.
- A modern architectural addition can highlight antique architecture by providing sharp contrast.
- Make a formal home more family-friendly with comfortable, playful furnishings. Here, “playful” meant fun colors, interesting shapes, pieces kids want to (and are allowed to) roll around or climb on and pieces that can be rearranged (modular sofas) or transformed ("hoodie” dining chairs).
- Teach children responsibility by having them care for plants whether indoors or outside in a garden.
- Concentrate storage around a bed to free up floor space for play.
- Go for a big departure in style in an attic or basement. It won’t affect the flow or cohesive feel in the rest of the house and will surprise and delight.
Explore more home tours
Find local pros for your remodel
Shop for home products
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This is an amazing home!!! Does anybody know where to find those modular couches?
Incredible remodel!
Wow! This is one of the most creative and beautiful renovations I’ve seen on Houzz - especially love how original features of the house were saved and highlighted in new ways, and contemporary pieces were incorporated in a way that makes the house even more stunning. As well as functional for the family. Kudos to the artist and her design team!