Meet Michelle Linden, a really good friend and one of the best architects Seattle has to offer. She will take your space and transform it into something you love even more than the day you got the keys to your new home. Sure, you hired what you thought would be a pretentious and possibly unaffordable architect, but what you get in return is a space you absolutely love and the time and money back you spent trying to correct all the mistakes you made trying remodel your kitchen using just a Youtube video and the advice of your friends dad.
Michelle and her partner Henry are real people who live what they work. Michelle who lives in a Bryant/Ravenna home with her husband Cameron which is just a little smaller than the condo her Belltown partner resides in has found a way to maximize her space and make it the most amazing home on the block. You can check out Michelle’s house when she was featured in Dwell Magazine.
Michelle in her own words: After running my own business for several years, I recently combined forces with Henry Walters (another solopreneur) to form Atelier Drome. Combined we’ve got over 20 years of experience in residential and light commercial architecture and design. One of our favorite parts of working in Seattle is figuring out how to maximize small homes and small lots in fantastic neighborhoods.
1) It is time to Spring Clean- What are some ways to increase storage in a small space to reduce clutter?
One of the easiest ways to increase storage is to size your shelves and rods to your particular needs. So many closets are built with one shelf and one rod, but if you measure your clothing and boxes (or whatever else you want to put in the closet), you may find that by adjusting the heights of the shelf and rod (or adding a couple more), you will be able to avoid wasted space at the top or bottom of the closet.
If you’re interested in a larger project – anytime you are able to design built-ins for your space, you will create significant storage without feeling like you’re taking space away from the room.
2) What are ways to incorporate more natural light into a space?
The easiest ways to incorporate more natural light include adding mirrors (to help bounce light), getting rid of heavy drapes, and painting with lighter colors to help reflect light.
However, these ideas may not necessarily coincide with your aesthetic – or you may have already done it and still want more light. We are in Seattle, after all! One of the biggest requests for remodels is to tear down walls and create a great room living space. This is usually because our modern style of living is more informal – with families and friends congregating in one area. But, it also allows light to penetrate rooms that might otherwise be dark.
3) What are the most requested remodel projects this spring?
Once spring arrives, everyone wants a deck and fire pit. But this year, we are also seeing a lot of requests for garage conversions. Old empty garages are being turned into generous master suites, playrooms, and more.
4) I live in a fixer, If I want to spend $5000 on remodel project, what should I do first?
This is a loaded question! There are so many things that can be done for $5000 and it really depends on whether your priorities are aesthetic, structural, or energy conscious. But really, I think the most important thing is to dedicate a percentage of that $5000 to work with an architect or interior design or structural engineer (as the case may be) to generate a game plan for the whole house. If you truly live in a fixer and tackle projects a few thousand dollars at a time, you need to have a master plan in order to avoid undoing work you’ve already completed (or living with something you dislike). Working with a professional may seem expensive at first, but it will generally save you money in the long run.
5) How can I give my home an exterior facelift?
A fresh coat of paint goes a long way. But, not all siding is worth painting, or even able to be painted. Residing a house can be a major project, but there are a lot of affordable siding products out there. Other ways to add a facelift include a neat and tidy entry walk or patio, a trellis, or everyone’s favorite deck!
6) If you were tackling a remodel project at your house- what would be the next?
Adding a second bathroom! Everyone can use a second bathroom, and it really adds value to your home. Plus, you get to enjoy it while you’re in the house as well! I keep dreaming about my own future second bath.
6) I live a condo, how can I bring a piece of the outdoors inside my home?
This can be tricky, as different condo associations have various restrictions. Generally, the biggest key is to make sure you don’t block your windows and doors with large pieces of furniture or fabrics. Consider orienting your furniture so that you can see outside from your main seating area.
If you’ve got a more lenient condo board, consider enlarging the exterior openings (or adding more glass). Or again, opening up non-bearing walls so that multiple rooms have views to the outside will significantly help bring the outdoors inside.
Don’t hesitate to contact Michelle with any of your design questions-
Summer break can prove to be a daunting time of the year for parents. With school no longer in session you may find yourself pondering different ideas to keep your child engaged and busy during the workweek. Thankfully programs such as Seattle Parks and Recreation have worked hard to offer the Seattle community spring and summer programs aimed at ensuring a fun and eventful summer for all. Programs cover a wide variety of different activities ranging from martial arts to the performing arts. Also offered are adult programs such as career development courses and aerobic/fitness classes.
