Exterior Project:

Ravenna Jewel

This house is located on a beautiful, winding historic boulevard in Seattle. The light in all seasons is dappled with shade and full of movement and sparkle. It is a special corner of the city, set into a steeply sloping hill. The location suggested a jewel-like treatment of the house. Seattle house colors tend to be very staid and neutral, subtle to the point of screaming tedium. The houses that surround this house are various monotones of beige, tan, gray, brown, all weathered to the absolute bottom notes of their mutedness, and trimmed with white. The house we were to paint was also in advanced stages of weathering and fadedness. Our plan was to restore it and create a jewel that would spark the eyes of passers-by, and be an appropriate glowing tribute to the beauty of the nature that surrounds it.

Our client wanted colors that reflect her earthy, autumnal nature. We chose a deep gold for the body of the house, then went through various greens until we found the one with the mossy, woodsy feeling that would complement the gold. The deep garnet red would glow warm in the sun and retain a warmth even on gray days when it would appear darker. Now the house really is a jewel, an amber and beryl and garnet jewel. Seattle-ites are beginning to transform their houses to counteract the weather, rather than reflect it.