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Living with the land
Living with the land from Remodeling Trends volume 2107
So the saying goes, good wine is made in the vineyard. However, the very factors that influence the ripeness of grapes – sun, aspect and shelter – can also impact on house design.
From their very first client meetings, architects Jill Lewis and Lane Williams realized this project was very much about making connections.
"The clients were very articulate and clear about what they wanted to achieve, yet there was plenty of scope for design freedom. The basic idea was to connect the house with the vineyard and convert the interior into a place where connections with family and friends could be made."
The owners had a simple wish list, says Lewis. The existing house had only two basement level bedrooms, so a master bedroom was requested for the main floor. A garage was added, an unfinished attic improved, and, overall, the house was adapted to make it more livable.
Keeping within budget meant incorporating major portions of the existing structure.
"The original gabled roof over a basic box form was extended to gain the extra space required, and the new master bedroom suite was stacked over the new basement level garage."
In an effort to engage the simple lines of the structure with the land, large, covered fir-framed porches were added to the east and west facades.
The east-facing porch acts as a friendly entry to the house, while the west side opens up to views of the vineyard.
"There is something attractive about taking the original farmhouse aesthetic and refining it honestly through material selection," says Lewis. "The porches add weather protection, plus texture, while contrasting materials add visual depth, appropriate to the setting."
The remodeled structure was clad with white stucco, with concrete columns poured in place.
"The large fireplace at the south end of the house was both the biggest challenge and source of pride," says Lewis.
"Entirely poured in place, this solid, sculptural form was a work of precision and coordination. The Alaskan yellow cedar detailing makes it both an interior and exterior feature."
Inside, a cedar cabinet, that pivots open to reveal a television, is built in to the fireplace.
The interior palette of materials was assembled with restraint, yet colors and textures were chosen to carefully strike a livable and approachable balance, says Lewis.
"Inside, by combining the two stairs, we saved previously wasted square footage. This created a separate entry space for greeting guests and helped organize daily living spaces, improving flow and connection."
Making better use of space meant redefining existing rooms. The original main living area was spacious, but sterile and ill-defined, says Lewis.
"We pulled the dining room out of the living area and located it in an intimate and private space. This is perhaps a little unusual, as we usually go for contiguous spaces."
With the exception of a new stainless steel countertop, the kitchen was one area that required little remodeling.
"The kitchen is a special part of the house. All the existing kitchen cabinets were retained, as they were made from a single walnut tree that grew on the property," says Lewis.
This house was remodeled to take better advantage of its vineyard surrounds. The simple box form was extended to create the extra space needed for a new master bedroom and bathroom, garage and attic space. The addition of a covered porch on this, the east side, creates a welcoming point of arrival for guests. Interior living spaces were also reorganized for better flow.
To take advantage of sun and views a covered porch was added to the vineyard-facing facade. A bathtub sits in the bay window at the end of the house, while the new garage was positioned underneath this room.
The original structure was extended to incorporate a new master bedroom and bathroom.
A wood-burning, poured-in-place concrete fireplace was finished with Alaskan yellow cedar. Upstairs, a sliding window allows light into a long, narrow attic space.
The barbecue porch, which receives all-day sun, was re-concreted and partially fenced for wind protection.
The honey colored Alaskan yellow cedar detailing on the fireplace incorporates a television cabinet. When open, the cabinet door fits into the rectangular recess above the fireplace. The large corner windows are not sheltered by the covered porch, so late afternoon sun is able to permeate the room.
The far wall now features a large poured-in-place fireplace.
Previously, the dining area was positioned in the middle of the living area. The architect created a greater sense of intimacy and a sense of occasion by removing the dining room to a separate space. Inexpensive track lighting was tucked into recessed niches for a custom and integrated effect.
Two separate stairs were combined into one element, establishing a defined entrance area.
The kitchen received new stainless steel countertops and windows, but the original kitchen cabinetry was retained, as it was crafted from a walnut tree that once stood on the property. Other cabinetry throughout the house, in the living room, bathroom and dining room, was designed by the architect.
Although the dining room was removed from the living area, it is still partially visible from the kitchen, maintaining a connection to the rest of the house.
Oak with an ebony stain has been used throughout the living kitchen and dining areas.
Removed from the main living area, the master bedroom was conceived as a quiet and calm space, giving convenient privacy and relaxing views to the vineyard.
The corner window above the soaking tub frames the sunset. All fittings and fixtures in the bathroom, including glass mosaic tiles and gray stone floors, were designed to enhance the bathing experience.
Credit List
Architects
:
Jill Lewis and Lane Williams, AIA, Lane Williams Architects (Seattle, WA)
Roof
:
Zinc-coated, standing-seam metal
Lighting
:
Cooper tracklighting; Juno recessed cans; Eureka
Cabinetry
:
Designed by the architect, built by Salem Wood Products
Kitchen bar stools
:
Bertoia
Porch furniture
:
Philippe Starck Bubble Club armchair and Prince AHA stool
Fireplace
:
Poured-in-place concrete and Alaskan yellow cedar
Basin
:
Kohler Oval Undermount
Faucets
:
Vola one-handle polished-chrome mixer
Shower stall
:
Bisazza Nuvole glass mosaic from Pratt & Larson
Bathroom flooring
:
Mediterranean Azul honed stone tiles
Bathroom lighting
:
Sandblasted mirror, illuminated with fluorescent tubes
Photography by Tim Maloney
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