Looking Glass Living Room

Custom built-in defines the entry and living room spaces, FSC douglas fir wood connects the home's interior to the Pacific Northwest
Joe Feddersen lithographic print displayed on douglas fir built-in in a mid-century interior in the Pacific Northwest
Warm and relaxed living room with MF Fire woodstove, Fireclay Tile glazed brick, FSC douglas fir floating shelf and an original Norman Tucker painting connect this home's interior to its place in the Pacific Northwest

Project Scope: Space planning, materials, finishes and lighting

Home: 1958 Ranch

Problems With Existing Space:

  • Lacking definition between living room and entry

  • Long and narrow living room

  • Dim light during the day

Client Goals:

  • Define spaces while maintaining flow between rooms

  • Increase access to natural light

  • Addition of emergency heating source

  • Realign the home’s aesthetic with mid-century detail

Final Thoughts:

Tired of shoes and coats spilling from their home’s entry, this family wanted clearer boundaries between it and the adjoining living room, a space that was dim and never felt quite right. A custom built-in and new tile floor helped define the entry and separate the spaces functionally and visually. In the living room, recessed lighting was replaced with new skylights that provide ample daylight deep into the space even on the cloudiest of days. A wood stove, added for emergency heating, helps cozy up the space and adds visual balance to the long room. A commitment to healthy materials is evident by the use of FSC-certified Douglas fir, low-VOC paint, Cradle-to-Cradle Certified tile, and the home’s original hardwood floors discovered beneath layers of vinyl and tile, were refinished instead of replaced. The result is brighter, more intentional spaces, which support this family’s daily life, reflect their sustainability values and connect them to nature.

Before & After

Photos: Bill Purcell

Construction: Randy Kinne

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