The downtown Seattle condominium captures the essence of the Pacific Northwest. An existing apartment was stripped to the studs and reworked to create a warm and masculine urban retreat for an Alaska-based bachelor. The designers of Hoedemaker Pfeiffer (interior architecture, interior design, and art curation) created an open plan and added a rich textural blend of warm woods, grey stone, and woven wall coverings. Art and furnishings were selected to reflect a strong Northwest influence in combination with the views stretching from downtown Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula.
The view is the highlight of the apartment, offering both coastal vistas and the city skyline. The client wanted an open floor plan for flexibility in terms of dining and entertaining. Warm woods with a variation in texture and colour were used to differentiate each area from the next.
The original floor plan was a collection of small spaces and included a walled-in kitchen that blocked the natural light and views. The transformation began by opening the plan to allow natural light to penetrate as deeply into the apartment as possible. The new plan was designed as a boat interior: every space became a function with many flexing from one use to another.
In the den, a dark, textured wood ceiling is juxtaposed with a lighter sand coffee and side table, while the furniture pieces rely on weathered leather and a textured rug for a lived-in feel. There is a decided juxtaposition of contemporary, modern, and vintage elements complementing the shared spaces. Though rustic, the 19th-century Japanese tansu, 18th-century kitchen table, and mid-century cane and leather kitchen chairs work well together amidst a very built environment. Natural woven fabrics and tribal designs reflect the client’s background and a regional vocabulary.
The living and kitchen areas have a more modern look, with cooler hues mixing with more rustic elements for a fresh take on urban living. Warm reds, yellows, and oranges on a cream backdrop make sure the colours shine through. The kitchen features a lighter mahogany on the cabinetry and ceiling, while the light grey base on the roomy island ensures that the natural wood doesn’t overwhelm the shared living spaces.
The kitchen and living areas are defined by dropped ceilings consisting of dark, rough boards, that conceal lighting and contrast with the original ceiling, making it appear higher than it is. The ceiling and window-facing vertical elements are white to intensify the daylight and distribute it deeper into the apartment. A small outdoor terrace provides direct access to the elements.
Photos: Andrew Giammarco | www.andrewgiammarco.com
