living with animals
The living room is architect Nick Mehl's favorite area because of the gorgeous natural light pouring in. Hoffman bought the "Blue Skies" neon sign at an auction hosted by musician Willie Nelson. "My late husband, Jace, and I chaired the annual fundraising event for the Corpus Christi Art Museum," she says. "The theme was Blue Skies and Black Ties, and we had the neon sign made for the event." Hoffman and her husband made it a habit to travel west often, because they loved the open skies. "That inspired us to paint the ceilings of our house sky blue, so it seemed like that sign was meant for us. It's been part of my homes ever since."
Glass and metal railings on the staircase add to the home's contemporary feel.
A one-story home is a common choice for homeowners over age 60, but a second-story view of her property was essential to Hoffmann. She plans to stay at her new sanctuary, so an elevator designed by Symmetry Elevators was a practical design solution.
The master bedroom is an airy retreat with a great view. A white modern dog bed from Design Within Reach lies at the foot of Hoffman's bed. The watercolor above the bed is by Pat Deadman, a Corpus Christi, Texas, artist.
The exterior features a cement facade and cedar paneling, plus solar panels on top of the enclosed pool. Rainwater barrels gather water for use throughout the home.
Mehl appreciated the wide expanse of land that his team had to work with because they had the freedom to place the structures — including the main house and the kennel — anywhere they pleased. "I find the simplicity of the home to be calming," Hoffman says. "The lines and features of the house are beautiful but not distracting, so it's a perfect venue for enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings."
Houzz at a Glance Who lives here: Peggy and Bob Aronson; their 2 dogs, Chandler and Tula; and their cat, Lucky Location: Port Orchard, Seattle Size: 2,104 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
The couple installed low-maintenance pasture grass in the backyard. "Once it is established, we won't have to water it in the summer months, and I envision keeping goats on the property in the near future," Peggy says. "We call our home Furwood, because it’s in the middle of a forest of fir trees and because we love animals. We have two big dogs and one cat at the moment, although that is always subject to change if I decide to take a trip to the shelter."
Bob's vision for their home included a fireplace and covered exterior spaces. Slate tiles cover the fireplace surround and run all the way to the ceiling. The living room displays Peggy's love of color and vintage finds.
Sunlight spills into the dining room. The home has five sets of doors leading onto the grounds. The wood used in the home was grown and milled locally. Other green features include an energy-efficient hydronic heating system and a water-saving recirculating pump. The couple chose to not install air conditioning. Peggy's favorite place to shop is the Humane Society Thrift Store in Bend, Oregon, where she found their dining room table. "Every time we go there I end up filling up our SUV," she says. "Every purchase means they get to do more good work for the puppies and kitties."
Peggy took up quilting when Bob was away for periods of time in the Navy. She had her own practice for 10 years as a mental health counselor and was advised to complement her work with a creative hobby. "I consider quilters to be the original recyclers, taking scraps from old clothes and piecing them together into something not just useful but beautiful," she says. "This is a nice metaphor for what I have tried to do with our home. While the shell may be new, our home is filled with collected items, many that others have cast off. Even our pets are shelter rescues. Add to that the element of color, and you start to get the sense of my decorating philosophy."
They love the great room because of its gorgeous sight lines. Since it's connected to the kitchen, guests can sit on the couch and chat while Bob and Peggy cook.
granite scrap salvaged from a larger job makes up the kitchen's countertop. Peggy collaborated with a local ceramic artist, Patty McQuillen of Crowfoot Studio, to create the tile mosaic on the backsplash. The warm colors used in the mosaic represent the home's color palette.
The upstairs bedroom serves as a combined guest room and Peggy's quilting studio. She selected paint colors with interior designer Dana Petrick. "Life is too short for beige," says Peggy
The front covered entry includes a quiet and comfortable place for sitting and enjoying the garden. Peggy made the quilted pillow covers.
secure fencing
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