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My Houzz: Playful Riverfront Pad in Oregon
A duplex gets new life as a family-friendly home with a backyard zip line, spacious kitchen and gorgeous river view
Portland photographer and freelance writer.
Portland photographer and freelance writer. More »
Given its modern exterior, expansive backyard and beautiful riverfront location, it's hard to believe this house was once an outdated duplex. Homeowners Rich and Alicia lived in half of it for six years before taking the plunge on a full-scale remodel. A second-story master suite, cedar exterior additions and new decks and landscaping created plenty of indoor and outdoor space for this family of four.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Rich and Alicia; daughters Hatte and Hazel; golden retriever Spinner
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon, near Portland
Size: 2,800 square feet; four bedrooms; four baths
That's interesting: The backyard features a 75-foot zip line.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Rich and Alicia; daughters Hatte and Hazel; golden retriever Spinner
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon, near Portland
Size: 2,800 square feet; four bedrooms; four baths
That's interesting: The backyard features a 75-foot zip line.
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by John Prindle
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| Rich and Alicia wake up to this view of the lush backyard from their master bedroom. The peaceful Willamette River lies in the background. They moved here with a bit of trepidation: The area suffered extensive damage from an infamous Portland flood in 1996. Thanks to a sloping lot, their house fared well. |
by John Prindle
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The home was an outdated duplex when the couple moved in. Working with Gary Hartill of OrangeWall Studios, they saw the potential, gutted it and rebuilt the structure. The renovation integrated a second-story master suite and included new decks and landscaping. The team kept the original shingle siding on the duplex and accented the new additions with horizontal tongue and groove cedar.
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| Rich, a former contractor, built the treehouselike patio deck around an existing tree. It can be reached by the backyard zip line — a favorite activity of the couple's daughters and their friends. |
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by John Prindle
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| The main floor of the house is a completely open space. The corner dining room holds a handmade plywood table that's immune to the indiscretions of two artistic daughters. After dinnertime, a game of foosball or an impromptu dance session under the mirrored disco ball makes the house full of fun and positive energy. |
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by John Prindle
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| Artist Tyler Schlicting painted this hummingbird scene in 2006, and it's a family favorite. The painting hangs in the corner of the dining room, mixed into a gallery wall of artwork by Hatte and Hazel. Paper animals from the Museum of Contemporary Craft make up the months of a calendar. |
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by John Prindle
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| The spacious kitchen allows plenty of room for curious chefs and offers a great view of the river. The teak-veneer cabinets are lucky leftovers from an architect friend's project. The raised kitchen bar is made of reclaimed wood from a Phillippines schoolhouse. Pendant lights: Otto x Otto, Lighting Universe; rug: Ikea |
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by John Prindle
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| Just off the dining room lies a seating area that Alicia has lovingly named "The Bird's Nest." A stunning view of nearby Elk Rock Island and an occasional appearance from a bald eagle make this a popular perch. |
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by John Prindle
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| The spaciousness of the main floor is best appreciated when you look toward the front door. The oversize rug in this space has been in Alicia's family for about 120 years. An abstract photograph by Kirk Jonasson hangs above the living room fireplace. |
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| One of the biggest challenges of this remodel was the complete redesign of the staircase. The stairs used to go the other way and were super steep. "I had to leave when they were bringing in the metal beam that holds the stairs," Alicia says. "It was the only thing that really stressed me out. I'm not even sure how they got it in here." |
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| The stair treads are made from reclaimed mahogany, sourced from a demolished 1930s schoolhouse in the Philippines — the same wood used on the kitchen bar countertop. |
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by John Prindle
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| New skylights brighten the space, and UFO-like lights from Foscarini O-Space hang above the stairs. The modern pendants add a sophisticated touch with an orange accent wall serving as the backdrop. |
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| Future movie director Hatte's room has the same upbeat vibe as the rest of the house. Rich built the cabinets and loft bed over a two-week period while the rest of the family was back east to see relatives. Visiting artist Allison Reimus, who once lived with the family, did the portrait of Hatte. |
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| Upstairs, the master bedroom's balcony seating allows the couple to enjoy views of the river. In the corner is another cozy birdwatching nook. |
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| Flowers grow throughout the front and back of the house. An avid gardener, Alicia cut these pink roses for a pleasant impromptu tablescape. Houzz call: Do you have a creative, playful home? Share it with us! |
Ideabook published on July 16, 2012.
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I think their children are old enough to be safe on the stairs, if future home owners were concerned a sheet of lexan could be fitted into the wall opening.