My Houzz: Creative Personality in 1,000 Square Feet
Unconventional design choices and thoughtful attention to music, art and play help a Seattle family's rental avoid the commonplace
Artist, freelance writer, home tour contributor for Houzz, designer, actor, mother and author of the blog La Maison Boheme. Greenman lives in a 1970s Texas ranch house, which she has transformed into a bohemian haven and family home. She loves eclectic, boho style but also has a soft spot for Midcentury modern and Swedish design. Learn more at www.sarahgreenman.com.
Artist, freelance writer, home tour contributor for Houzz, designer, actor,... More »
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Creating an environment that feeds your artistic soul in a rental townhouse is a tall order. For Brandon and Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth, art, music and self-expression are the key ingredients of a family home on their own terms. "I think for us the biggest challenge is avoiding that generic feeling on a tight budget," says Rebecca. "Nobody wants to feel like a McFamily in a McNeighborhood."
The couple has made some wonderfully unorthodox design choices about how to use the space. The dining room also serves as a multitasking office and crafts studio, the kids' bedroom has been reclaimed as a music room and the tiny suspended patio has become an edible garden. "We had this lightbulb moment when we discovered that we were not obligated to surrender the room to our children," says Rebecca. "Now we've got play areas set up all over the house, and the space belongs to everybody."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Brandon and Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth and their sons: Oscar, 4, and Rafael, 20 months
Size: 1,000 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 half baths
Location: Seattle
The couple has made some wonderfully unorthodox design choices about how to use the space. The dining room also serves as a multitasking office and crafts studio, the kids' bedroom has been reclaimed as a music room and the tiny suspended patio has become an edible garden. "We had this lightbulb moment when we discovered that we were not obligated to surrender the room to our children," says Rebecca. "Now we've got play areas set up all over the house, and the space belongs to everybody."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Brandon and Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth and their sons: Oscar, 4, and Rafael, 20 months
Size: 1,000 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 half baths
Location: Seattle
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by Sarah Greenman
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| "To me, home is where the mask comes off. It comes off by itself, without effort, and relaxation follows," says Brandon. The living room is where the family comes together to relax. "The adrenaline necessary to slalom through the workday goes from a boil to a simmer at home, because my body knows you're around the people who know you." Rug: Alvine Ruta, Ikea |
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"We were living in a ramshackle apartment in Brooklyn when we made the decision to move to Seattle to be closer to our relatives," Rebecca says. "I was six months pregnant. But for us, accustomed to New York apartment living, this place was a palace. Best of all, the owner's a kind man who was willing to take a leap of faith and rent it to us, sight unseen. We've been grateful for that every day since."
Ottomans: leather, Crate & Barrel; curtains: handmade by Rebecca
Ottomans: leather, Crate & Barrel; curtains: handmade by Rebecca
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Vignettes all around the house tell a story and ignite the imagination. Vintage pieces, literature, plant life and other special curios keep the eye wandering.
"The four of us love books, music, well-made toys, and we're all drawn to saturated color," Rebecca says. "I'm always looking for ways to balance things visually so that the space feels energized and youthful without feeling chaotic."
"The four of us love books, music, well-made toys, and we're all drawn to saturated color," Rebecca says. "I'm always looking for ways to balance things visually so that the space feels energized and youthful without feeling chaotic."
by Sarah Greenman
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The day Rebecca's grandmother's old upright piano arrived was a turning point — their rental finally felt like home. "I had this strong sense of a torch being passed — it was definitely a rite of passage," Rebecca says. "I guess it's when I realized that I'd finally created my own household, my own family, my own life."
Rebecca and her sons created the art above the piano.
Rebecca and her sons created the art above the piano.
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by Sarah Greenman
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| A vintage fruit box full of children's books sits neatly under a chair for quick access when one of the sons needs a cuddle and a story. Beyond the living room is a home office area, where Rebecca creates content for her blog and organizes her work as a playwright and theater professor. "We initially set up a dedicated kids' space, with colorful foam flooring and some improvised containers for toys," says Brandon. "Now we've evolved to having kids' things throughout the house, so there's opportunity for play wherever Mom and Dad happen to be occupied." |
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Books, sheet music and family photos fill an antique hutch near the stairwell.
"I have to be able to see books and have books around me," Brandon says. "Sometimes the books tease me and frustrate me, because I can't get to them, but I still need to have them there."
"I have to be able to see books and have books around me," Brandon says. "Sometimes the books tease me and frustrate me, because I can't get to them, but I still need to have them there."
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A whiz on the sewing machine, Rebecca loves to make clothing for her boys. She created most of the throw pillow covers, curtains and quilts in the home. Smart storage and a cheery red vintage stool keep the craft area clean and inviting.
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| A handmade fabric calendar hangs in the corner opposite a pin board made from wine corks. Rebecca's clever DIY projects are found throughout the house. |
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| Wheatgrass grows in vintage Pyrex dishes on a wire baker's rack by a window. The couple harvests this wondergreen for homemade juices. |
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| Upcycled wine boxes create an edible garden on the tiny balcony. The family grows a host of lettuces, root vegetables, herbs and tomatoes. "My favorite thing about Seattle is the combination of its greenery and proximity to the water," says Brandon. "It always feels fresh here somehow. You can get a beautiful view from just about anywhere." |
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| A racecar clock and framed children's illustration decorate the hallway next to the bedroom. |
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The sage-green bedroom houses a king-size bed, big enough for the whole family. Rebecca creatively displays her artwork using pants hangers.
Moving around a lot has taught Rebecca how to make a space feel like home. "I've learned that when I start hanging stuff on the walls, a home will begin to feel mine, since the art is what's absolutely unique to us," she says.
Quilt: handmade by Rebecca; dresser: Ikea; throw pillows: Etsy
Moving around a lot has taught Rebecca how to make a space feel like home. "I've learned that when I start hanging stuff on the walls, a home will begin to feel mine, since the art is what's absolutely unique to us," she says.
Quilt: handmade by Rebecca; dresser: Ikea; throw pillows: Etsy
by Sarah Greenman
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In addition to their many other talents, the Tourino Collinsworths write and record original music. "For the first year we were here, we set it up as the kids' room. Nobody ever used it, though, not even the kids," Brandon says. They ended up converting it into a room devoted to music.
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| "I have to be surrounded by essentially two things, designwise, to really settle in," says Brandon. "Things that nurture me creatively — musical instruments, books, music, art — and things that invite me to relax: comfy furniture, snuggly kids and somewhere to put all the clutter." |
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"Your home ought to hold you, feed you, tell you a story and allow you to rest," says Rebecca, shown here with Oscar, Rafael and Brandon. "And it should be a place you always want to return to. Basically I want my home to feel like my grandmother. If you knew her, you'd know why."
Houzz call: Share your creative family home with us!
Houzz call: Share your creative family home with us!
Comments
Spirit Dreamer Healing Studio Love the space. Could you tell me what color you used to paint your walls????
7 months ago · Like
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josephinetalepeddler Books to me make a home. Loved all the arty touches throughout.
7 months ago · Like
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mskimberly1119 Very well done! This is the best space I've seen that is kid friendly. Awesome.
7 months ago · Like
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anneonamouse I understand EXACTLY what you mean when you say that you want your house to feel like your grandmother.
7 months ago · Like
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reganhoffmann Where do the kids sleep if they don't have a room?
7 months ago · Like
Sarah Greenman Reganhoffman, thanks for your question. The kids sleep in the huge king size master bed with their parents. The Tourino Colllinsworths are a co-sleeping family.
7 months ago · Like
Sarah Greenman Spirit Dreamer - the walls were already painted when the family moved in, so they have no idea the name or brand of the colors. Sorry I can't be of more help. Thanks for your question!
7 months ago · Like
paulfunston Your home is warm and friendly, i appreciated your comment about your Grandma. I only wish you'd included a floor plan. How did you ever get all those bedrooms and bathrooms in 1000 square feet?
7 months ago · Like
Sarah Greenman paulfunston - thanks for your comment. Two of the bathrooms are on a ground floor that are not included in living space. There is a tiny 1/2 bath in the garage and a tiny bathroom in a breezeway that leads to a stairwell to the main living space. The second floor is the living room, office area and small kitchen with a 1/2 bath. The top floor is two bedrooms and a small full bath. There is no closet space to speak of. So its a pretty tight situation. Sorry I wasn't able to include a floor plan.
7 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Oct. 13, 2012.
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