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<rss xmlns:ps="http://trailfire.com" version="2.0"><channel><title>"Bell" by jdauenhauer</title><link>http://trailfire.com/jdauenhauer/trails/23148</link><category>jdauenhauer/trails</category><ttl>60</ttl><item><title>Home Magazine - Simple &amp;amp; Light</title><link>http://trailfire.com/jdauenhauer/marks/44513</link><description><![CDATA[Simple &amp; Light A seaside house balances traditional details and airy modernity By Jill Kirchner Simpson Photographed By Michael Jensen Produced and Styled by Linda Humphrey The site was irresistible: a large lot on a finger of land jutting out into Puget Sound from Whidbey Island, Washington, about an hour&#39;s journey by ferry and car from Seattle. It fronted a large, sandy beach (unusual for the area&#39;s rocky coast) and in the back abutted more than 10 acres of untouched wetlands, a regular destination for eagles, herons, and migratory birds. Helen and Ethan Bell leapt at the opportunity to buy the pristine property. For years Helen had been ransacking magazines for ideas and resources, so when it came timeto plan, both she and Ethan had a clear notion of what they wanted—an informal beach cottage that wouldn&#39;t be too large or imposing. Working with Seattle architect Robert Maloney and contractor Donald Heggenes, they devised a scheme for a small compound of buildings—a main house, a guesthouse, a garage, and shed—surrounding a courtyard. This setup allowed them to put just three bedrooms in the main house and provide a spot for a central garden that would be sheltered from the strong winds and salt water. &quot;We decided to create a house not in any identifiable style—a stick-frame coastal house that you might find in South Carolina, Maine, or here in Washington,&quot; says Maloney. &quot;Everything was kept purposefully simple, uncluttered, and easy to care for because it&#39;s a second home.&quot; The first-floor interior layout flows easily, with the kitchen opening onto the living and dining areas. Tall, vaulted ceilings grace most of the rooms, and abundant windows and French doors invite the sunlight and offer stunning views. The second floor comprises two bedrooms, a small library, and a large balcony. Helen opted to paint almost everything white, including the downstairs floors (made of clear fir, they were finished with a heavy-duty paint designed for garage floors, which she swears is easily kept clean by damp-mopping). The color choice enhances the sense of uninterrupted movement and makes the house feel light and informal. Borrowing touches from the traditional-style homes they love, the Bells incorporated many classical architectural elements in the house—detailed moldings, wainscoting, and a deep-coffered ceiling in the kitchen. White paint, however, keeps all these features from looking too formal.]]></description><category>Bell</category><author>jdauenhauer</author><pubDate>Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:57:16 -0800</pubDate><guid isPermalink="false">trailfire:markId:44513</guid></item></channel></rss>
