Louise Lakier is a contributing photographer for Houzz. She is a designer, a construction manager, a photographer, traveler and storyteller. She is currently in Central America.
Louise Lakier is a contributing photographer for Houzz. She is a designer,... More »
Seattle artists Jethaniel Peterka and Yvette Endrijautzki were looking for a rental where they could live and work when they came across an empty storage space above a pet store in the heart of the city's Georgetown arts district. The space had potential, but it was small. They peered through a few holes in the wall, realized the living space could double, and were sold.
The transformation of the storage space into their home took a year and a half. They gutted the space and reclaimed the attic, adding plumbing and heat. Everything was designed with the efficiency and style of a ship in mind.
Now, Nautilus Studio functions as a living space and studio with art built into the walls. Found objects and salvaged materials like pipes, valves and tools are functional and decorative. The result is a home that is eclectic yet efficient, and an intriguing work of evolving art. Houzz at a Glance Who lives here: Artists Yvette Endrijautzki, Jethaniel Peterka and their cat Gobi Location: Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle, Washington Size: Approximately 600 square feet
The bedroom was reclaimed from attic crawlspace. The addition of skylights created a cozy sleeping space. Carpet was salvaged from a carpet business in the Seattle SoDo — or south of downtown — neighborhood.
Louise Lakier: What is your decorating philosophy?
Yvette Endrijautzki: I guess I have a problem with the modern world and its forgotten treasures and values. I find it important to bring the good matter from the past back into the now and break away from the faux and artificial like plastic, laminate, rubber, styrofoam, etc. Recycling and salvaging materials is an important factor that runs throughout the whole house. The old times rule here at the Nautilus with a nautical spirit, combining industrial remnants with traces of Victorian times, old world curiosities with an oriental flai, and a mad scientist's laboratory with a puff of gypsy dust.
Jethaniel Peterka: A puff of mummy dust, rather ... I 'd like to live in a world immersed in old world natural science: botany, zoology, books, specimen, instruments and charts. My collection of botanical and animal specimen are important parts of my decor. They make me feel at home in a sort of past life nostalgia. Create the world you want to live in!
Yvette Endrijautzki: Or the world will create you!
The decorative metal screen and porthole window in the door allude to the intriguing experience beyond. The porthole was found at The Seattle Antique Market.
LL: What is your proudest homeowner moment?
JP: Installing a skylight that didn't leak.
YE: The day we opened the doors to friends, family and public. (Georgetown Artwalk).
Creative and innovative transformations of space and storage are abundant throughout their home, starting with the exterior. On the front porch, a small table folds out for outdoor eating with seating.
The pair found the stove on Craigslist. The faucets, sinks, windows, cabinets, light fixtures and wood trim are from Second Use in Seattle.
LL: Where are your favorite places to shop for your home?
JP: Small town antique shops and of course Second Use, but my eyes are always open for the free signs!
YE:Thrift stores, antique shops, Habitat for Humanity, Second Use and Earthwise but a lot of good stuff is to be found on Craigslist and eBay as well. But better than shopping: Do it yourself!
A ship's ladder leads up to Endrijautzki's second-floor studio, which did not exist before the remodel. Peterka and Endrijautzki opened up the dividing wall to let the light stream in from the dining window.
The 1890s bar chairs in a breakfast nook come from Jules Maes Saloon. The table surface is an original resin creation, constructed and installed by Endrijautzki.
The living room is filled with art and antique furnishings. An opening in a wall encourages one to look through to discover something new. A ladder encourages one to explore. Furniture from Goodwill, The Seattle Antique Market and Craigslist.
LL: If you could have four famous people over for dinner, you would invite:
A shared studio inhabits the attic space. Skylights and a new window bring in light, plants thrive amid the art supplies.
LL: Where is your favorite spot or room in your home?
JP: In the studio in the attic in the late afternoon, when the old brewery is glowing with beautiful light from the sunset and my skylights are glowing gold without a leak!
YE: It really depends on the weather in my head and the weather outside. As Jethaniel says, "Light plays an important role!"
The entry hall features a gallery display. The Nautilus Studio hosts an open studio for the Georgetown Artwalk once a month.
LL: Do you have a favorite designer or artist?
JP: Lloyd Kahn for his introduction to primitive and alternative architecture around the world. My Dad for showing me amazing transformations from shacks to temples. Leonardo DaVinci for the inspiration to be a true Renaissance man. The Vitruvian man is forever burned in my brain.
YE: Gaudi for the stunning beauty and grace, the organic shapes and the intricacies. Keith Lo Bue for his wonderful, dreamlike imagination and the multi-use of unthinkable materials. Al Farrow for his architectural mind and the sociopolitical significance. Gropius for being a pioneer of combining arts and crafts in design and architecture, and all the unknown primitive architects of the past that have given us a cornerstone for our modern world ar(t)chitecture.
The bathroom features a lace-like mosaic that creates the feel of a personal bathing grotto. Peterka and Endrijautzki designed and created the installation with tiles salvaged from a Dumpster. Tile work can be found accenting walls and backsplashes throughout the house.
LL: What was your biggest design dilemma?
JP: The fact that we had to revamp the bathroom plan, because the bathtub and toilet needed to be raised a foot to allow for proper drainage. Also, as inexperienced home designers, we forgot to consider ventilation in the back of the house. It can get quite stuffy in the summertime! Another difficult issue was our low budget, which slowed the process down, working from paycheck to paycheck.
YE: I can't think of what was worse: the delay with the plumbing and not having any water for so long, or the part where we had to climb in through a window before we had a door, to get into the house. Not to mention, I had to carry in my old shepherd dog. Ahh... fun memories! Another thing: This house is from the early 1900s, so try and figure to build something that's level?
A fish tank entangled in a fishing net sits on a low wall between the studio and the breakfast nook.
LL: What's your next home project?
JP: To build our dream house and art studio in Hawaii from the ground up, with chickens, goats and a tropical garden.
YE: Doing the same thing again but on a bigger scale and more thought ... My biggest dream is a studio/gallery space with an industrial floor aquarium, a fountain and an open peristyle court garden. And not to forget the outdoor fire oven! Horses? Goats? Donkey?
The metal fence and gate in the entry garden, complete with foldaway bar counter, were built by Ben Hornburg.
LL: Who or what inspires your personal style? What about your artwork?
JP: Personally I am inspired by 19th-century laboratories, libraries and curiosity shops, and the artwork of the era, particularly French and Russian academic painting. Also, tall ships and the Pacific Islands have been always a fascination to me. People and places, sketches and studies — there is no shortage of inspiration if you look around. A bow to Caravaggio and all the Italian masters of the Renaissance!
YE: My work is often the result of findings and gathered relics of a throwaway society with the purpose of reuse, recycling or upcycling. Inspirations can come to me in mundane moments, like walking the train tracks, a conversation, riding the bus or observing interactions. Steampunk is often a definition of what is used by people describing my work (and same for Peterka's) but personally we don't subscribe to the steampunk aesthetic. We strive to create and discover our own reality.
A portrait of the artists and curators for Nautilus Studio: Peterka and Endrijautzki, in Georgetown.
LL: What do you love most about your city or neighborhood?
JP: The old architecture, the gritty industrial cityscape and the arts community. Also Seattle is surrounded by gorgeous nature. Even though we live in some sort of industrial wasteland, it is easy to escape into gorgeous landscapes and oceanside coves.
YE: What I like about Georgetown is that it has not been gentrified yet and still is raw and distinct. It also has a lot of interesting history! Seattle itself though is a modern city with major corporations defining the city where it is not easy to keep an artistic/alternative culture alive.
Hal What a fun space! As usual, beautifully photographed. Would love to see it one day, it looks like the kind of space you'd sit down in and then not want to get back up-
the_misfit This is pretty much exactly what I'd have said my grown-up house should look like when I was a kid (and a teenager, and really at any point before I had my own place). My taste has moved more and more mass-market with time (not ALL the way), but looking at this is a window into a beautiful ideal, and a corner of my mind I had forgotten existed. I don't have an adorable two-story loft and I'm not a professional artist, but I am going to take this as a reminder to bring a little more of that beauty and wonder into my home. Many, many thanks for sharing these extraordinary images!
Claudia Hill Mess? Hardly. This is more exciting and visually stunning than any room done by a designer. For the first time in quite a long time on Houzz, I stopped and read every detail. Thanks so much for sharing this inventive, wonderful space that might not be everyone's cup of tea but is a testament to artistic ingenuity and creativity.
davesmac I too am a Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity & thrift store shopper. Thank you for showing this creative and fun home. Enjoyed searching the photos for all the treasures they have collected and incorporated into their home. Love the kitty porthole!
Patsy G Nothing inspiring here. This is a ugly mess. Different strokes for different folks but I think this story should been at the bottom of the list bc it almost made me afraid to read the rest of this week's feature stories. However, after looking at these depressive photos, I was extremely grateful for my own pretty little nest.
waratah104 Two very talented people. That's for sure. I enjoy seeing people reinvent uses for objects and the imagination of having to deal with space constraints.
sanmarc1 Personally, I find their use of reused, reclaimed items to be inventive and interesting to look at. To stay here for a visit would be like stepping into Narnia. I may not want a full time diet of this, but I would feel like a kid stepping into a magical place for an adventure.
shellie jernigan a very dream like space, and i so appreciated scrolling through these photos. i, too, looked quite closely, and poured through this entire article. (normally, i skim!) a nice change of pace from karate chopped pillow photos that look like a showroom, and not someone's home.
shellie jernigan i'll add, (to be fair), that, for me, there are a lot of items in this home, that i would feel a little closed in by. but, i do like the bedroom and the nook feel.
callums Post apocalyptic inventive/starving artist, but definitely not for me. I get the impression that it's as dirty as it is "gritty", and the clutter would drive me over the edge.
milan120 Certainly different...i like Out of the box thinking...but this is a bit much for my taste...But hey..if they love it...that is all that matters...
bizylizy Some of this I like...I suppose if you removed 90% of all the clutter. It's so stuffed full of knick knacks that everything gets lost and the eye doesn't necessarily rest on anything. There is zero focal point, and the result is a bit overwhelming and visually stressing. By removing most of this stuff, I would love it. I adore small, cozy living spaces...but precisely because you have to be very selective about what you bring into the space. They've done the exact opposite & have brought everything into the space and the result is dizzying.
stmichael Please do more features like this! We need more diversity in design ideas to appeal to a wider demographic and allow us to create truly unique, personalized spaces...for folks at all income levels. Thanks for this exciting peek into an artistic world.
Ivanna Yavorenko I adore this. Finally, art in design that is surreal and otherworldly and surprising at every corner. People who expressed their dislike of it are rude and close-minded. Clearly not the kind of people anyone would care to enchant with this home, anyway.
belloviso I love creative people! This is certainly not for me but it shows how creative and out-of-the-box some people can think. I hated the babyfaced wreath (kinda creepy) but absolutely ADORED the bedroom nook...I could even see myself sleeping there every night.
Saam Phelps Our first house was 800 sqft and it was funky and cute. I'm now doing a huge remodel on our second 1900 sqft house and am crossing over to the granite countertops and paneled fridge...I miss that cute funky house where the washer and dryer were on the back porch and I painstakingly refinished all the hardwoods and hand painted the bedroom with a checker board pattern. My baby's bedroom for the first 3 months of his life was the bedroom closet with no door. Those of you who have rude comments about someone else’s home should be ashamed. If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all. This home is creative and lovely and obviously took a lot of time, effort and thought. I’ve always wanted a mosaic in my bathroom like that. It’s a beautiful home and they should be proud of their work.
Carrie B Brunner Interesting comment from "misfit" above, that tastes move more and more to what is being mass marketed. I agree, going out to homes and dealing with contractors and painters they like their tried and true formulas. When a client wants to do something unique it is always preached "but what about resale"? I love the many unique aspects of this home (not that I would use everything) and hope it helps people to have some confidence and daring to move out of our design boxes, even a little bit.
diannemom25 So unique and creative. Love the use of reclaimed and recycled items. I love the fact that this home doesn't look like everyone elses and that it was pieced together over time to truly reflect the homeowners. Hats off to the creators of this home and whoever decided to showcase this on Houzz. It is fabulously fresh and truly a showcase of creativity.
lesusan It just draws you in! I would live there in a minute. Not for everyone but glad to see the other side from the sterile, uncluttered, all sparkle and polish places that are more the norm.
balfour_girl I loved the photography, and even some of the decor (the tiles in the bathroom for example) but I'm trying SO hard to declutter my house and create a look of serenity and calm that this made me want to roll up my sleeves and clean their house for them! On the other hand, my husband and I rarely purchase things new, going instead to the dump, thrift and antique stores. Old things have more character and are better made than new.
victoriathibeau While it is not for everyone (most of what is in HOUZZ is pretty conventional) I appreciate it being posted. I think it is essential to look at a much wider spectrum of what constitutes a home and the things people love to surround themselves with. Not everybody wants to live in IKEA or a "Tuscan manor".
Thanks for making HOUZZ more interesting.
Jason Shepard I love the use of recycled/reclaimed materials. I also love the fact that it's firmly planted in tiny house territory (sub-800-square-feet).
However, the insane amount of clutter makes my OCD flare up into a full-blown attack. I can't imagine the time it would take to clean all of that and I don't even want to think about how filthy everything is if it isn't cleaned every day!
Having lived in a home with cats on the counter, it's appalling that you would take pictures of something as filthy as that and host them on a website like Houzz. My respect for Houzz for posting that picture alone has dropped several notches.
Hopefully, Houzz will see fit to retract that cat photo and also to feature an artistic residence that doesn't involve clutter in every open space available to balance out this space.
For those of you saying "if you can't say something nice...", you need to get a grip. Just like you have the right to post and say that you like something, others have the right to post and say they dislike it. It's called Freedom of Speech and, for now, we still have it. If the owners can't handle the criticism along with the good, they shouldn't have had their house posted/featured on a website.
qndesertrose Nostalgic to me...reminds me of my early years (1974) in Maui, Hawaii...lots of "Handmade Houses" full of creativity and re-purposed items. Not my thing these days, but still creative and fun and can appreciate!
saranji I just smiling reading the comments, useless stuff, what a guitar and books!I am tired of looking at massive houses, where my whole bungalow would fit into their garage .Love the creativity, let's see some UK houses where our living rooms are 12x12.nice one Houzz lets see something different for a change.Love the pussy cat, my neo would love him possibly for breakfast.
sanna63 This is amazing. It has bits of Bohemia all over the place. What a creative mind can do! Love it! Maybe after seeing this, more people will realize you don't need the mini-mansions and big department stores. This was an absolutely fantastically designed home. Bravo to the owners. PS: Lucky cat!
judyg THIS HOME IS THE ANTITHESIS OF WHAT HOUZZ SAYS IT STANDS FOR, "HIGH QUALITY INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PHOTOS". I FOUND THIS HOME TO BE REPUNGNANT IN EVERY WAY. NOW BEFORE YOU CALL ME "RUDE AND CLOSEMINDED" PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THE PHOTOS ARE MEANT FOR COMMENTS, POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE. TODAY, MINE ARE NEGATIVE.
nasafemme I think freedom of speech is overrated when it comes to commenting on others' taste. My decorating style has been described as "spartan" so the bohemian living space featured would not be my cup of tea. Thank goodness the world is not filled with boring decorators such as myself.
jacquelinetee I Love the reaction here.................... we are alive with feelings and opinion. It is so refreshing to see something other than neutral, highend and massive square footage.
As mentioned I would like to see more homes that are done with creative ideas and at a less expense. We don't all have exactly what we want and sometimes you have to live with what you DO HAVE and make it personal. I have found that when you don't have the money for something you learn to explore your options and can comeup with something special.
Really love the reused tools for the gate handles.
Casart Coverings Well, this certainly generated a lot of discussion! I found the space fascinating and so reflective of their creativity. BTW, there's noting better than an orange tabby for a pet.
Jean Corey I agree with the stated purposes of reusing items, appreciating old things, and personalizing your house with things you love in a creative way.
I did have to keep reining my feelings in over the chaotic clutter and strangeness. But I have to say that the front walkway area does not look creative, it just looks like a junkyard.
josephinetalepeddler This has been one of my all-time favourite posts on this site which can tend to favour beige, and bland living spaces. As a writer who has to live in a very tiny house, I can appreciate the trouble of clutter but this couple have been so dazzlingly inventive they leave me in awe. Their house is unique and I could peruse inside for hours gaining inspiration and I know I will return to this post. I’m saddened to see the posters who can’t just look at it and leave without being rude. Thankfully, there will always be people who admire and enjoy creative, bohemian, living spaces. Please feature more houses like this. This couple should really be featured on The Selby. To the people who think its okay to leave negative comments because we are meant to comment, please consider if you would use the same tone and words face to face to these people. The internet can give too many bullies, beiges and cowards a voice, alas. And if you would talk like that perhaps you should consider some anger management, or just basic manners training? I don't like nearly two-thirds of the houses on this site but I wouldn't bother leaving a comment if I didn't. As I say to my six year old, 'if you can't say anything nice, zip it!'
webbsathome I loved the individuality of this house. It whispers to me to come and have a closer look. I dont know if I could live in such a small space with so many belongings but hey, it is so not mainstream beige (not that I am saying there is anything wrong with beige if it floats your boat). But dirty, filthy...repugnant even, well, these things are in the eye of the beholder and isnt everyone else dirt always sooooo much dirtier than our own (I dont think so). I would love to visit this house and have a beer with the artists as I'm sure they have much more interesting things to do than crap on all day about interior decor . And just for the record, there are negative comments and then there is just downright rude. Your parents should have taught you better manners!!! What sort of values are you teaching your children???:(
Becky Harris Obviously, a space like this is going to generate a lot of conversation -seems like a love it or hate it with no in-between, which means it has a strong point of view. What I don't understand are the dust and filth comments - I see neither in the pictures.
nellycrowe Thank you for finally posting photos from a home that doesn't look like it's mass produced. Most of the homes featured in Houzz are more of the same. It's nice to see a little steam punk influence in a home. 2nd Use and other stores mentioned are great. Re-Store is even better for those of us on the north side of Seattle. Nicely done.
mairsiedoats This is the most inspiring and beautiful home I have ever seen on Houzz! I spent a long time poring over the delightful details in the pictures. It has a magical quality that is very special. This is a creation of artists and is totally beyond the realm of decorators. Thank you for showing it.
elena_d I'm sorry but this reminds me of something out of a horror movie...a skeleton in chains? Mummy dust? O my, I'd have nightmares living there, scary...looks like a shipwreck at the bottom of the sea. I guess I just can't relate to this kind of "art"...
artzi This is a very creative use of a small space. I love the use of reclaimed materials, especially the mosaics. The hall gallery is wonderful. the art & meaningful objects appeared to be thoughtfully placed, maybe not decorated in the slick magazine manner, but esthetically pleasing original way .
lynnrww No need to add another comment -- the comments already here are excllent in showing how very, very differently people have responded to this very unusually designed home.
It's not at all for me ; but I so appreciate you featuring it ! It's lovely to see and experience something so out-of-the ordinary.
trasgorshek Art is totally a subjective matter. I'm sure Picasso received much criticism when he emerged. I personally don't get this space. I'm an oil painter so I'm sure people say the same about my work...to each their own. However, I can appreciate the mosaics.
Certain "art" isn't for everyone. Just like certain design styles aren't for everyone. Thank goodness we are all individuals and not clones. :)
clairegrube Design derives from “designare” and “signare” which is “to designate”
to mark, to sign, to signalize,…basically it means something with character, your own touch, your personal tune, something CREATIVE as much as ART is the creation of SIGNificant things: your signature!!!
It seems though that the view has shifted and art is only accepted when it’s pleasant and design is assumed to be pristine, conventional and conform thus “design” is often presented as a standard or a model or pattern regarded as typical . As soon as something “out of the box” is being presented , the reaction is offense as a result of fear of the unusual or UN-LIKE!……I am from Germany, a country that has existed under a Nazi regime where the “not in the box” thinkers or creators have been assaulted or simply wiped out. Sadly, some of the comments in this posting reminds me of this disrespectful mentality!
clairegrube one more thing..somebody identified this space with "perversity". I thought criticism isn't about assault and judgement. Isn't criticism about constructive advice whether it's negative or positive?...... Though perversity is "deviating from what is good" such as insulting a personal creation with unscrupulous commentary!Wow!
julhel a home should reflect your personality you two have done this so well and made it yours well done never loose yor imagination and versatility. I love it/. helsi from australia
Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel Only obsessives live in constantly photo-ready environments. Usually when we shoot an interior, we clear away 'real life' to make a clean shot. Also, not everyone is uncomfortable with clutter. Bravo to these two artists who are able to share a small space.
Jennifer Johnson This is a fun and creative space full of personality. If you look over the profiles of many of the people who left negative comments, you'll see they've left negative comments all over Houzz in other idea books as well. I think it's always good to keep in mind that people actually live in these homes and will be reading the comments written on Houzz (I know I would if my home were featured!). Just because you're writing it as a comment on the Internet rather than saying it to the person face to face doesn't make it any less rude.
katinam This house is so fun I am reluctant to close the browser window for fear I'll never see another one so interesting and full of life. It's amazing to me that they can squeeze about 1000% times more stuff than I own into a slightly smaller home and still have it look artfully organized rather than cluttered. I am more of a minimalist myself, and agree with some commentors that I would not want to have to clean this space, nor pack it up for a move (ugh!), but it would be so fun to visit and play there. It's very cozy and warm and welcoming, and I love and appreciate all the reused and repurposed items.
iseult Thanks for showing something so creative. Love the use of salvaged and re-purposed materials, the bathroom grotto and 'hallway as art walk'. And of course, the cat.
The Centric Home It's like living in Fairyland! I love the look and feel, feels like an artsy apartment in Paris. Everyone is not a stodgy perfectionist.
merdunning This is the first article I have read completely, then re-read and I applaud Houzz for breaching their norm; upscale, sterile, sparse high-end design and furnishings, unlimited budget remodels which look like the same magazine picture over and over again, thus a showroom nobody lives in.
I tire of the above mentioned house being constantly depicted. Some people want that type of house, I thought I did, tear out a magazine page, give it to your Architect, Contractor, Interior Designer, etc. and get a carbon copy while sitting back and writing checks. In hindsight I think my remodel would have been far more rewarding if I had put more effort into it and surrounded myself with things I love rather than high price tags. So, thank you Houzz for showing a different very artistic home with character on a budget, which demonstrates a labor of love, recycling and actual ingenuity on the part of the owner above and beyond their ability to write checks.
Stuff does not generate filth, owners do and a Swifter is worth its weight in gold! It may not be for everyone, but there is no hard steadfast rule to decorating rather it is subjective to the owner, do what you love and one persons Hovel is another's Heaven!
I love the cat on the counter because that's what cats do and there is no reasoning with them not to mention our mouths have far more bacteria, maybe we should ban photos of kissing? This really is a, "Home" and real people and pets live there, good job!
Jason Shepard Wow, I am amazed by people. Those of you calling anyone who spoke against this property "rude" or told us "if you can't say something nice, zip it!" are living in an outdated world of your own and need to come into the 21st Century.
If we had followed your advice, SOPA/PIPA would have passed and internet censorship would be the de facto law. Thank goodness our "rude" selves spoke up, huh?
If we had followed your way of thinking, the south would still have legal slavery. Thank goodness our "rude" forefathers didn't "zip it", huh?
@clairegrube: Your inference that anyone that spoke against this property is equated to a Nazi far exceeds the "rude" comments you refer to. To equate a person with a Nazi simply for stating they don't like something is incredibly racist and I seriously hope that you seek professional help for the hatred you harbor inside.
It takes all kinds of different vision to make the world a diverse place. My comments (and I'm sure those of others) against this space just show that not everyone can handle the "bohemian" lifestyle. I even put myself out there by admitting that I have OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: look it up).
Not everyone that this couple invites to their home are going to like it. If I invite someone to my home and they are miserable being there, I hope to heck that they SAY SOMETHING so that I can take strides to make them more comfortable or change the venue to somewhere more mutually pleasing. This couple accepted their home being put as a feature on a popular website. If they weren't prepared for both positive AND negative comments, then they shouldn't have allowed this. Granted, some of the comments may have stepped over the line, but that's to be expected on the internet as well - many people think being online makes them invincible. I didn't say anything in my original post (or this one) that I wouldn't say face-to-face and I hope that people would be as blunt with me about my home as well.
But I will stand up against censorship and the deterioration of our rights that thousands of people have died protecting and those rights INCLUDE the right to post negative comments and criticism regardless of whether any one person agrees with it or not. Remember the popular saying that still rings true today: "I may not agree with what you say, sir, but I will defend to the death your right to say it!" Just as you have the right to call others "rude" or tell them to "zip it," I have the right to post my dislike of something as long as it doesn't resort to threats against the couple's well-being or entirely out-of-line remarks such as racism/hate speech. Hopefully, not everyone sees things you way and keeps their mouths shut any time they disagree or we'll quickly end up with no rights at all.
clairegrube to get it straight: I have never mentioned anything about or PRO censorship, neither has anyone else here! All I am asking is people to be RESPECTFUL and to criticize in a way that is fair to people!Everyone can express their emotions or views of course but all that counts is HOW YOU DO IT!There is a difference between saying"Hey-I don 't like this" or THIS IS PERVERSITY!There is a huge difference between leaving a "negative" comment or an accusation/ judgment or insult! I was taught to always say if something bothers me,if something generates fear or disgust or whatever in me, to express myself WITHOUT STEPPING ON SOMEONES toes,especially if it's something personal or intimate(politics is a total different story here)!There is a difference between expressing that you don 't like something or to JUDGE someone/-thing and say"that should not be in a magazine or this is disgusting!!Who are we to rule over what is good or bad or what is useful or useless?Who are we to judge what should be shown in a magazine or not?I find several comments here not only insulting to the hard work of the homeowners,i find it also insulting towards the photographer and the magazine that has chosen this project for a specific reason!Anyhow-I have never equated anyone with a Nazi- I have simply mentioned that a certain behavior or reaction REMINDS me of the Nazi mentality which was and is still very fascist and dictatorial! (Freedom of Speech,right?)And I don't see why this has anything to do with racism?Neither do I think I need professional help!I have had a lot of people in Germany reading this article with all the commentary and their reaction was pretty much the same: being shocked about the judgmental mentality and the rudeness in a DESIGN magazine!???Isn't this magazine here to bring creative ideas and inspiration rather than judging people about their styles,homes and personal expressions?And I think that is what people basically meant here with"zip it"- leaving deconstructive, toe stepping commentary away if you can't word things in an appropriate manner! Would you like it if someone said your home is disgusting,filthy,doesn't deserve to be seen in this magazine etc?I used to live in a kasbah in Morocco for a while where it was REALLY DUSTY/ DIRTY in my opinion and I felt very uncomfortable at first, but I would have never judged those people who welcomed me to THEIR home!I 'ZIPPED it' because there is such thing as humanness! But I don't want to give lectures in a magazine about how to treat people!All I want to say is= enjoy diversity, respect peoples work, give constructive criticism and pick out the good rather than bragging about the bad! Simply said:If someone bakes you a cake to eat from, you thank them and if you don 't like the cake, you won't have to eat it!But don't have a go at someone/something that was just trying to share their cake :) thank you
clairegrube about modern DESIGN: a very interesting movie to recommend about an obsession with modernity and American-style consumerism by Jaque Tati: Mon Oncle (My Uncle 1958)! A fantastic movie!!!
thechelsealynn Love much of this house, so much thought and creativity. It is too busy for my liking, but I too looked at every inch of every picture and the overall feel of the house is amazing.
I'll bet the artists are loving the debate they have created here, something tells me they want to spark emotion and they did.
Yolanda Creative reuse of materials. Our homes' style reflect who we are and what we like. These guys seem to be having a blast with their home. More power to them! What I personally like or dislike doesn't really matter to express here because I'm no expert. Cleaning this intricate home may be challenging task for some of us; however, I can't deny that I find their decorating outcome very thought-provoking and full of freedom. If we are having fun, stressing about cleaning can always wait ;-p
merdunning I have returned to this article numerous times and every time I view the pictures I see more wonderful things, more ingenuity, creativity.....I just can't get enough and would love to visit this home in person! So out of the box and wonderful, not the boring typical home, yet one of free thinkers with the artistic ability to transform a small space through an intensive labor of love and on a tight budget into their own palace. It's inspiring and refreshing! I went directly to the Second Use site hoping they could ship, but alas they only ship smalls so now my mission is to find a similar place closer to my home, can't wait to find some fabulous salvaged doors, molding, repurposed things, etc. After viewing their reclaimed tile project which was amazing I have decided to do my own backsplash rather than pay my contractor $3500 and I'm excited, thank you so much Yvette and Jethaniel! My personal opinion is you can never have too much of what you love!
callisondesigner I applaud her effert to recycle but there is a stopping point at which enough is enough before it becomes clutter! Being "green" went to far for me. As for Seattle, it is a very cultural city that supports artistic and alternative styles. Yes, it is a very forward thinking city, but has beautiful historic architecture. Seattle offers everything NYC or Chicago offers, but in a smaller footprint.
marmee5 WOW! What a Pandora's Box has been opened with this presentation! It has certainly elicited some strong responses...positive and negative. Did this work capture my interest...certainly. Was it my 'cup of tea'...not really. Did I think it was creative...absolutely. Could I live there...no, I'm too claustrophobic. Did I find it interesting enough to really look at in detail...ha! I even read all the responses and am writing a comment myself! Would I recommend the presentation for someone else to look at...I already have. I say 'kudos' to those who are 'in touch' with themselves and are able to express it. Whether their expression is in agreement with mine is insignificant...and that,
my friends, is what keeps this world interesting. We should all reach out for what it is that completes us and let others do the same...vive la difference!
Bos Eubanks So I've heard a bit from the Bauhaus school of design. Some comments in regards to the Cat, irrelevant to the discussion and topic. Others ranting about censorship and being able to speak their mind in regards to the house etc. A good topic to research up would 'how to write a convincing argument'. Oh.....now I've strayed from the topic of this article.(grammar hounds feel free to stray off topic with me)
Now to the point of discussion.
I had the pleasure of living next to this ebullient home during it's many phases. This home by no stretch the imagination should've been documented during reconstruction process. Yes I said reconstruction, because what it use to be and left along time ago.
In regards to recycling and comments on the overuse of functional recycled material. Recycled materials are much harder to come by these days, especially metals, woods and masonry/stone etc. There's a ton of value for recyclable materials in an immense market.
In regards to the dust, well then you you'll just have to spend a few hours in Georgetown and you'll look at things a little different. And I mean literally a few hours.
Cluttered.....well this home is hardly cluttered. 'For everything a space and space for everything', the home is malleable. It reflects the traits of the persons dwelling within, observant and flexible. This home is much more functional than what can be seen in the photographs. And in my own personal design taste function in many cases trumps design.
Bravo!!! to Nautilus Studio.
P.S. There is a huge element of the study of not only art, and design. But what I consider the much more rigorous study of the 'mechanics of materials' that went into creating this home.
mrsteller Wow, I had to do a lot of scrolling to get down to the bottom to add my question! What I want to know is do they rent or own the place? The intro text indicates they are renting, but no one would gut and renovate a rental...would they?
The layout really does remind me of a houseboat. Some cute ideas, but the overall effect is "self-conscious art school student." And no, there's nothing wrong with having a cat on the counter.
monjav2 This was a fascinating post. After looking at the pics and reading about the owners (as well as reading all of the the comments -some extremely negative), I felt the need to revisit the photos and see what the "perversity and filth" comments were all about. In fact, I found neither one upon careful scrutiny of the spaces.
IMO whether or not we choose to decorate our homes in the same manner is irrelevant. The point of showcasing this home is to celebrate the diversity and creativity that still exists in interior decor. They have kindly given us the opportunity to view their living space. Whether we like it or we don't, the fact remains that it is creative, original and darn interesting.
Sadly, originality is such a rarity in today's world full of cookie cutter everything; most people are so terrified of expressing who they truly are, in their decor or otherwise. Kudos to them for being true to themselves, proudly letting the world in to see their creation with no apologies. We should all be lucky enough to overcome the obsessive need to conform to self imposed ridiculous interior design rules.
Many of the negative commenters may benefit from opening their minds, learning to appreciate other people's visions and decor styles, even if they don't resonate with their own personal tastes.
seattlegirl This is a brilliant, unique space! I am in awe of these two creative individuals. And I adore the cat porthole and kitty-on-the-table!!
A number of Houzz readers were somehow threatened by this sweet, artistic expression, judging by the aggressive, defensive tone of the ridiculous, snobby comments posted. How strange...
John F Demyanovich Construction coooooool stuff guys !!!!!!!
i hang out and create stuff in yer neck of the woods, i hope to run into you guys sometime. perhaps at my fav store, second use :)
Mark Gravitt Thank Heavens. Something that does not look like a real estate flyer, an Ikea catalogue, or a Restoration Hardware ad. While there are some things that are not to my taste (comments on those elements will never follow, as that would be insufferably rude), the fascinating mosaic work and the tools for gate hardware are delights. Bravo to the pair!
lk_designs I think this is a wonderful home showing creativity (well they are artists) and shows what can be done with a small space. I love the individuality and their eclectic style. Generally speaking, I think small spaces make one live in a much tidier manner and do 'force' one to think about the use of space. These two artists definately have their own style and have managed to have a place for everything and everything in it's place. It does make me feel like they are living on a boat. Their form of eclectic style is very different from mine, but that is what being eclectic is all about. Having said this, I always smile when I remember my late mother's words "hell to dust" !
It's great to see Houzz show this. It's a nice change from what often appears to be the coffee table pictures of massive houses; show homes; realestate brochures, whatever. We don't all live in 45 squares of perfection. And "perfection" is very subjective anyway.
medoraleigh I just came up on this and when I saw that the couple lives in Georgetown (I live in Lower Queen Anne), it made such perfect sense....What a marvelous, quirky apartment...Invite me over for coffee, you guys! Can't wait to meet the cat!
Oh, and for the haters....There are many beige and dull places on the HOUZZ site...I could make rude comments, but...I have manners and try to remember Mark Twain: "'It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt"....
Thanks for the diversity, HOUZZ--you are the best!
baburara Bravo to the owners of this house for creating a cozy home that works for them and is an expression of their abundant creativity. Also kudos to Houzz for showing that individual style is something to be honored, even if it is not to everyone's taste. I agree most homes staged for magazine shoots are cookie cutter boring. And too many people are duped into buying overpriced "dream" homes. My cat is allowed on the counter whenever she likes, as long as I am not cooking or eating.
Thanks for making HOUZZ more interesting.
However, the insane amount of clutter makes my OCD flare up into a full-blown attack. I can't imagine the time it would take to clean all of that and I don't even want to think about how filthy everything is if it isn't cleaned every day!
Having lived in a home with cats on the counter, it's appalling that you would take pictures of something as filthy as that and host them on a website like Houzz. My respect for Houzz for posting that picture alone has dropped several notches.
Hopefully, Houzz will see fit to retract that cat photo and also to feature an artistic residence that doesn't involve clutter in every open space available to balance out this space.
For those of you saying "if you can't say something nice...", you need to get a grip. Just like you have the right to post and say that you like something, others have the right to post and say they dislike it. It's called Freedom of Speech and, for now, we still have it. If the owners can't handle the criticism along with the good, they shouldn't have had their house posted/featured on a website.
As mentioned I would like to see more homes that are done with creative ideas and at a less expense. We don't all have exactly what we want and sometimes you have to live with what you DO HAVE and make it personal. I have found that when you don't have the money for something you learn to explore your options and can comeup with something special.
Really love the reused tools for the gate handles.
I did have to keep reining my feelings in over the chaotic clutter and strangeness. But I have to say that the front walkway area does not look creative, it just looks like a junkyard.
However orange tabbies truly are the best!
It's not at all for me ; but I so appreciate you featuring it ! It's lovely to see and experience something so out-of-the ordinary.
Excellent!
Certain "art" isn't for everyone. Just like certain design styles aren't for everyone. Thank goodness we are all individuals and not clones. :)
to mark, to sign, to signalize,…basically it means something with character, your own touch, your personal tune, something CREATIVE as much as ART is the creation of SIGNificant things: your signature!!!
It seems though that the view has shifted and art is only accepted when it’s pleasant and design is assumed to be pristine, conventional and conform thus “design” is often presented as a standard or a model or pattern regarded as typical . As soon as something “out of the box” is being presented , the reaction is offense as a result of fear of the unusual or UN-LIKE!……I am from Germany, a country that has existed under a Nazi regime where the “not in the box” thinkers or creators have been assaulted or simply wiped out. Sadly, some of the comments in this posting reminds me of this disrespectful mentality!
I tire of the above mentioned house being constantly depicted. Some people want that type of house, I thought I did, tear out a magazine page, give it to your Architect, Contractor, Interior Designer, etc. and get a carbon copy while sitting back and writing checks. In hindsight I think my remodel would have been far more rewarding if I had put more effort into it and surrounded myself with things I love rather than high price tags. So, thank you Houzz for showing a different very artistic home with character on a budget, which demonstrates a labor of love, recycling and actual ingenuity on the part of the owner above and beyond their ability to write checks.
Stuff does not generate filth, owners do and a Swifter is worth its weight in gold! It may not be for everyone, but there is no hard steadfast rule to decorating rather it is subjective to the owner, do what you love and one persons Hovel is another's Heaven!
I love the cat on the counter because that's what cats do and there is no reasoning with them not to mention our mouths have far more bacteria, maybe we should ban photos of kissing? This really is a, "Home" and real people and pets live there, good job!
If we had followed your advice, SOPA/PIPA would have passed and internet censorship would be the de facto law. Thank goodness our "rude" selves spoke up, huh?
If we had followed your way of thinking, the south would still have legal slavery. Thank goodness our "rude" forefathers didn't "zip it", huh?
@clairegrube: Your inference that anyone that spoke against this property is equated to a Nazi far exceeds the "rude" comments you refer to. To equate a person with a Nazi simply for stating they don't like something is incredibly racist and I seriously hope that you seek professional help for the hatred you harbor inside.
It takes all kinds of different vision to make the world a diverse place. My comments (and I'm sure those of others) against this space just show that not everyone can handle the "bohemian" lifestyle. I even put myself out there by admitting that I have OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: look it up).
Not everyone that this couple invites to their home are going to like it. If I invite someone to my home and they are miserable being there, I hope to heck that they SAY SOMETHING so that I can take strides to make them more comfortable or change the venue to somewhere more mutually pleasing. This couple accepted their home being put as a feature on a popular website. If they weren't prepared for both positive AND negative comments, then they shouldn't have allowed this. Granted, some of the comments may have stepped over the line, but that's to be expected on the internet as well - many people think being online makes them invincible. I didn't say anything in my original post (or this one) that I wouldn't say face-to-face and I hope that people would be as blunt with me about my home as well.
But I will stand up against censorship and the deterioration of our rights that thousands of people have died protecting and those rights INCLUDE the right to post negative comments and criticism regardless of whether any one person agrees with it or not. Remember the popular saying that still rings true today: "I may not agree with what you say, sir, but I will defend to the death your right to say it!" Just as you have the right to call others "rude" or tell them to "zip it," I have the right to post my dislike of something as long as it doesn't resort to threats against the couple's well-being or entirely out-of-line remarks such as racism/hate speech. Hopefully, not everyone sees things you way and keeps their mouths shut any time they disagree or we'll quickly end up with no rights at all.
I'll bet the artists are loving the debate they have created here, something tells me they want to spark emotion and they did.
my friends, is what keeps this world interesting. We should all reach out for what it is that completes us and let others do the same...vive la difference!
Now to the point of discussion.
I had the pleasure of living next to this ebullient home during it's many phases. This home by no stretch the imagination should've been documented during reconstruction process. Yes I said reconstruction, because what it use to be and left along time ago.
In regards to recycling and comments on the overuse of functional recycled material. Recycled materials are much harder to come by these days, especially metals, woods and masonry/stone etc. There's a ton of value for recyclable materials in an immense market.
In regards to the dust, well then you you'll just have to spend a few hours in Georgetown and you'll look at things a little different. And I mean literally a few hours.
Cluttered.....well this home is hardly cluttered. 'For everything a space and space for everything', the home is malleable. It reflects the traits of the persons dwelling within, observant and flexible. This home is much more functional than what can be seen in the photographs. And in my own personal design taste function in many cases trumps design.
Bravo!!! to Nautilus Studio.
P.S. There is a huge element of the study of not only art, and design. But what I consider the much more rigorous study of the 'mechanics of materials' that went into creating this home.
Good Monday!
The layout really does remind me of a houseboat. Some cute ideas, but the overall effect is "self-conscious art school student." And no, there's nothing wrong with having a cat on the counter.
IMO whether or not we choose to decorate our homes in the same manner is irrelevant. The point of showcasing this home is to celebrate the diversity and creativity that still exists in interior decor. They have kindly given us the opportunity to view their living space. Whether we like it or we don't, the fact remains that it is creative, original and darn interesting.
Sadly, originality is such a rarity in today's world full of cookie cutter everything; most people are so terrified of expressing who they truly are, in their decor or otherwise. Kudos to them for being true to themselves, proudly letting the world in to see their creation with no apologies. We should all be lucky enough to overcome the obsessive need to conform to self imposed ridiculous interior design rules.
Many of the negative commenters may benefit from opening their minds, learning to appreciate other people's visions and decor styles, even if they don't resonate with their own personal tastes.
A number of Houzz readers were somehow threatened by this sweet, artistic expression, judging by the aggressive, defensive tone of the ridiculous, snobby comments posted. How strange...
i hang out and create stuff in yer neck of the woods, i hope to run into you guys sometime. perhaps at my fav store, second use :)
It's great to see Houzz show this. It's a nice change from what often appears to be the coffee table pictures of massive houses; show homes; realestate brochures, whatever. We don't all live in 45 squares of perfection. And "perfection" is very subjective anyway.
Oh, and for the haters....There are many beige and dull places on the HOUZZ site...I could make rude comments, but...I have manners and try to remember Mark Twain: "'It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt"....
Thanks for the diversity, HOUZZ--you are the best!