Small in Seattle
For architect Michelle Linden, living and working in 600 square feet poses its challenges, but one of the biggest was completing a gut-renovation on the tightest of budgets—just $25,000. Originally built in the 1950s, Linden's home wasn't optimized for today's living styles, but was located in a neighborhood rich with amenities and close enough for her husband, Cameron, to bike to work. Location trumped the lack of storage, closed-off spaces, and outdated finishes, and with thoughtful planning and cost-conscious choices, Linden, who heads Seattle's Atelier A+D, crafted a home that's short on space, but long on personality and charm.
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What a cute house and the space is so well used.
I have been in Michelle's home for business and it feels spacious and open. I did not realize it was only 600sqft when I was there and it certainly did not feel cramped. I was impressed with the little things that Michelle added to the space, including the kitchen's open shelving and the fireplace's nooks and crannies. When you add the intelligent use of space to the wonderful aesthetic of the space what you get is a fabulous home/office that works beautifully and feels open and inviting.
I've walked by this house before, and I had no idea how well things functioned inside! I love the fact that she kept the Roman brick and chose design elements to enhance it. Having seen her squared-off sink and toilet, I'm rethinking my own bathroom. She uses her space so much better than I use my bigger house!
Great house! As a fan of all that is mid-century modern, I love it. Mixes a nice amount of traditional mid-century, with a lot of creative modern elements.
Wow! The thoughtful and efficient use of space to meet their unique needs. This is a remarkable example of form, function and style coming together to make something bigger than the sum of its parts.
It's a real challenge to craft an attractive, livable and uncluttered home in such a small space. Living that efficiently isn't just about solutions, but also restraint in what NOT to include. Michelle seems to have a good eye for design and thoughtful minimalism.
Michelle's house is a great example of how as and architect and designer she edits out the clutter leaving only great style in her wake. This way of thinking infects her work and her personal style. Somehow, with practically no closet space, Michelle is always one of the most stylishly dressed women I know. She lives the principals of minimalism, keeping only what is beautiful, useful or both.
Wow.... what a way to make good use of only 600 sq ft! I love the mixture of old and new that Michelle has blended in her space.
I think her renovation is brilliant and so much of the time. We can recycle homes as we do fashion and everything else. The limit of the square footage by nature creates an environmentally friendly home. I am an artist as well as a realtor. Her home is a perfect example of the blend of the two. Now just for some economical solar panels - a perfect fit for these homes. Through recycling America reinvents itself.
It is amazing what is in that 600 sq feet! It does not seem crowded or cramped. The clean lines and lack of clutter really add to the feeling of space. Beautiful job.
The thing that attracted me to this artticle was that there was a very good use of the little nooks and crannies. It seemed as if one of the keys to making alot of a little space is eliminating things that are not being used. Good article.
I love the clean modern style that creates a more spacious feel!
Great use of space with nice modern finishes. It looks like you've used some unconventional materials and a good design sense to pull it all together. I never would have guessed that it's only 600 sqft.
Your house is such an amazing use of space. As someone who sells homes and who tours homes every day I have to wonder why all spaces this size can't feel so inviting, so organized and so atheistically pleasing. Your house is what people want and is shows you don't need to use the most expensive materials and you don't need to buy the biggest home you can afford. All you need is a little help from someone with a lot of design talent and a little know how!
What a great use of a small space. It feels so much larger than a similar sized modern condo or apartment with the clear boundaries between rooms.
Its hard to believe your home is only 600 sq feet! You have certainly maximized the use of space and enhanced the open feeling throughout the home. I loved the shelves in the brick!
Michelle's home feels spacious and comfortable. She will be our architect when we're ready to open our small space. First we'll need lessons in clutter free living!
Michelle, your professionalism and eye for style are constantly impressive! Can't wait to continue working together! Anyone looking at this article would be well served to work with Michelle Linden!
Wow! I can't believe that is only 600 s/f! The space is well used and I love the clean lines!! Great job Michelle! Tom
great job! really nice use of space
I am so impressed by Michelle's talent and execution with her own house as well as other projects she's worked on. If only every home owner, after they buy a home or before they sell it, would either be so inclined. We can all admit we don't have her talent or know-how, and should recognize the incredible value of that talent. Imagine how easily I could sell this house? Imagine how much easier a house would sell and for how much more $$$ after the tranformation of Michelle's touch? But more importantly, how much more people could enjoy the homes they live in if they would have a consultation with Michelle and budget for some of her suggestions. Bravo, Michelle!
It is healthy to live with a smaller footprint. Density promotes efficient land use and urban design. Kudos to Michelle taking on and realizing this project. It is a great example of how good design can add value to a project!
What a great story, amazing what can be done in small spaces!
As a builder I am always amazed by how a good designer can make such great use of our smaller homes in Seattle. I love the tile in the kitchen and open shelving it gives this small kitchen so much character. Great job Michelle.
As a builder I am always amazed by how a good designer can make such great use of our smaller homes in Seattle. I love the tile in the kitchen and open shelving it gives this small kitchen so much character. Great job Michelle.
You and Cameron's personal style and taste really come through in this remodel - I look forward to engaging you on our project someday soon!
Living in an opulent 750 square feet myself, I appreciate the wise utilization of space and thoughtful floor plan that makes this cozy home perfect!
Very nice creative solutions. I would have liked to see more of the office area. I kept going back to the kitchen. As an avid cook, the second thing I noticed was the electric stovetop. The first thing are the open *wooden* shelves directly above a cooking source w/o an exhaust fan directly above. From firsthand experience, even with the 1950's fan in the middle of the ceiling, if there's much cooking going on, there's going to be vaporized cooking grease/oil/steam/whatever that will quickly cover the dishes and the rest of the main living area. I'm still wondering what the extended heat from electric burners are going to do the the wood directly above and how you can reach over a hot stove for dishes. Maybe there's more space between the back burners and the wall than is evident, but stil....
As a New Englander, I am use to small, cozy, traditional spaces. Modern minimalism is often too cold for my taste. But this little house appears quite spacious and the colors seem to open up the house and make it very inviting. I love the built in shelves & am amazed by the tiny laundry area that seems so usable. A lot of thought obviously went into the design of this remodel.
Lovely! We too live in a small house and it is so true that it makes you really examine what you truly need and don't. Love the tile back splash in your kitchen. Who is it by? Looks like you have concrete counter tops, the same color as ours.
Very nice design. It's refreshing to see someone who understands what's important to themselves, and design their living space around that idea as opposed to the other way around. The pictures, for an architecture and design magazine, were fairly poor though. Looks more like the type of photography one would find in a daily newspaper. Can't Dwell do any better than that?
@kari3rivers - The tile is by Ann Sacks... http://www.annsacks.com/onlinecatalog/program.jsp?cat=268004&coll=268104&prg=1903304 They don't make it in grey anymore, but the new colors are quite nice. @Lydia Sugarman - The 50s fan works well for us, but we are not heavy users in the kitchen. So, for our use the shelves are no problem (there is more space than evident in the photos). But, you are right that it wouldn't be the best solution for more active cooks.
A small home can be quite a challenge to create nice spaces in, as well as navigate. Great job on updating this little gem in the Emerald City!
I am worried about the oven being right next to the fridge. When the oven is on, does it affect the fridge temperature-wise? Do you notice the fridge is running the whole time you are baking something?
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