My Houzz: Modern, Renovated Home in Seattle
Unique materials, clever details and a dash of humor revitalize a 1960s home on the water in Washington state
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 »
When Gay Silvestri and Ted Kadet purchased their 1960s home on Seattle's Lake Washington, it screamed pink from top to bottom. Pink tiles ran underfoot, and the previous homeowners had painted the ceiling beams pink to match. Gay asked her longtime friend James Spicuzza, a salvage artist and idea consultant, to help with remodeling.
The first thing Spicuzza did was rip out the pink flooring and replace it with remnants of utility-grade maple floors. Then he sanded the original beams and painted them a modern charcoal gray. Now the couple enjoys an open-plan great room, refurbished structural elements and an updated color palette, all while taking in a gorgeous view of the lake.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Gay Silvestri, her husband Ted Kadet, and son Colin Silvestri
Location: Seattle
Size: 2,800 square feet
That's interesting: The wall panels in the upper bathroom are surplus fluted, titanium-impregnated elevator panels.
The first thing Spicuzza did was rip out the pink flooring and replace it with remnants of utility-grade maple floors. Then he sanded the original beams and painted them a modern charcoal gray. Now the couple enjoys an open-plan great room, refurbished structural elements and an updated color palette, all while taking in a gorgeous view of the lake.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Gay Silvestri, her husband Ted Kadet, and son Colin Silvestri
Location: Seattle
Size: 2,800 square feet
That's interesting: The wall panels in the upper bathroom are surplus fluted, titanium-impregnated elevator panels.
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by Louise Lakier
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| The new open plan celebrates beautiful views of Lake Washington. A yellow chandelier found at a garage sale brightens the stairway. The milk glass globe over the outside deck is from REStore. Louise Lakier: Where is your favorite spot or room in the home? Gay Silvestri: My favorite spot is the entry walkway with the waterfall and koi. Favorite room? The upstairs-downstairs wall of windows to the water. The view is always different and a surprise to see and enjoy through all kinds of seasons and weather — even the wonderful gloomy or rainy days. Ted Kadet: My absolute favorite spot is the great room looking out the windows at Lake Washington. |
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by Louise Lakier
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| The remodeling team removed an entry cabinet blocking the view, reconfigured the stairs and shifted the front door to align better with the entry walkway. Spicuzza designed and installed the lighting using copper pipe so that it disappears against the wood ceiling from Pacific Iron & Metal. LL: What is your next home project? GS: No new ones, thank you ... just to finish the existing ones. Both decks, for sure, are first. TK: Yes, the next home project is to complete the new deck rail on the upper deck. |
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| A drop ceiling was removed in the hallway that leads to a bedroom beyond, revealing beautiful wood beams and ceilings. Superior Custom Cabinets built the cabinetry, and the corrugated glass on the island bar is from Earthwise. The vintage bar stools are garage sale finds. |
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The narrow space between the stairs and exterior window glass presented a furnishing challenge, but an elongated oval dining table and chairs proved to be the perfect solution. Spicuzza built the standing lamp in the background from three salvaged table lamps from Goodwill. A salvaged clothing rack from Nordstrom, also found at Goodwill, got a second life as a TV stand.
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| The hanging wall shelf and picture display on the back wall are made from repurposed Ikea bed stretchers. The downstairs walls were sandblasted to reveal original concrete; the existing brick fireplace was sandblasted as well. The sandstone mantel and fireplace screen came from Second Use. |
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Salvaged glass partitions from Second Use form horizontal wall panels in the guest bathroom. The shower tile is also from Second Use.
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Surplus titanium-impregnated elevator panels from Forms & Surfaces cover the walls of Colin's bathroom. A glass and aluminum commercial entry door doubles as a shower partition. The quartzite stone floors, fluorescent tube mirror light, toilet paper holder, salvaged spray head and robe hook are from Second Use.
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| Pacific Iron and Metal supplied the 8-inch galvanized duct for the dual bath exhaust fan on the upper floor. Spicuzza fabricated the custom grill. |
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Colin is an avid climber. Rope knots line the top of the stair wall and add a colorful sculptural element.
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Spicuzza made this "Walking Slide Show" from items found at Goodwill: metal slide trays, wood shoes, a curling iron tray and a Plexiglas disk.
LL: Which one of the found art pieces is your favorite?
GS: The original art piece [Spicuzza] hung above our fireplace the day we began the remodel. He bought it at Goodwill for $1! He presented it to us so our house would feel like a home, even though all was being demolished. The day before we moved in, one year later, we carefully cleaned it off and rehung it with ceremonial acclaim and a bit of vino as well. It remains very special.
TK: The piece made out of slide projector trays and shoehorns. It's just whimsical.
LL: Which one of the found art pieces is your favorite?
GS: The original art piece [Spicuzza] hung above our fireplace the day we began the remodel. He bought it at Goodwill for $1! He presented it to us so our house would feel like a home, even though all was being demolished. The day before we moved in, one year later, we carefully cleaned it off and rehung it with ceremonial acclaim and a bit of vino as well. It remains very special.
TK: The piece made out of slide projector trays and shoehorns. It's just whimsical.
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Spicuzza built this vinyl rocket ship from elements found at Second Use and Goodwill. It's made of a vinyl record turntable, a dim sum steamer tray, marbles, two recycled glass pendant shades, a copper plant holder and recycled bearings.
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Humpty Dumpty, a garage sale find, sits on a wall at the entrance to the main hallway.
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On the end of a cantilevered counter stands a leg support. Gay wanted a leg, so James found this for her at a garage sale.
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| "Pick Up Sticks," a relief sculpture, is made from salvaged materials, including removable wood window dividers, a hollow-core door, gray landscape fabric and 1970s chandelier glass. LL: Do you have a favorite designer or artist? TK: My favorite artist is local sculptor Gerard Tsutakawa. |
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| A landscape and pool architect installed this enchanting courtyard. The fluted glass sidelight by the front door came from REstore, and the transom glass is original. |
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| Upon walking up to the inviting front entry gate, guests are greeted by the sound of trickling, bubbling water and beautiful filtered light on the way to the front door. LL: What is the first thing you would grab if your house was on fire? TK: Assuming all of us, including cat Bocelli, are out, I would grab the Bill Cumming football picture and my wallet. GS: After taking a head check to include our cat, I’d grab my purse, phone and address book, so as not to lose touch with friends. |
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| James replicated the original beam detailing when refurbishing the eave rafter tails along the sides of the house. LL: What do you love most about your city or your neighborhood? GS: I love that we live in a "secret pocket" of Seattle with great views. TK: The neighborhood: the diversity of people and that it's close to the airport. |
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| Gay and James enjoy a moment in their courtyard garden. More Houzz Tours: Between Sea and Sky on Raft Island Nautilus Studio: Creative Living in 600 Square Feet Northwest Beach House with Secondhand Flair |
Ideabook updated on March 16, 2012.
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