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Gene's Modernist Masterpiece

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Name:

Gene

Location:

Seattle, Washington

Division:

Little

Square Feet:

635

What I Love About My Home


I love the architecture. The first time I saw the building I knew I wanted to live here. It is a modern structure built onto a 1913 industrial brick building. One of the nicest features is that the apartments all face out onto a interior open air courtyard with bamboo trees and a fountain. There are windows around the front doors to each unit that allow the natural light to come in. I think it's a great design.

Biggest Challenge in Furnishing My Home


Nearly everything in my place is something I've collected: vintage furniture, records, books, bicycles -- you name it. The challenge is that I find myself torn between my love of collecting and my desire for a minimal, uncluttered home. I've had to learn how to pass up things that I really wanted because I just don't have the room. Other than that, I love living in a smaller space!

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Comments (31)

Nice floor & table lamps...Seattle represent!

posted by BebeDog on April 21, 2011 at 4:19pm
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Love your style, good luck!

posted by haizea on April 21, 2011 at 8:09am
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I like your space. It doesn't look like your love of collecting has cluttered your apartment at all! I am intrigued by your love of the building's architecture and wish there was a picture that really showcased it!

posted by islek on April 21, 2011 at 10:52am
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So mod! I love how all the furniture is leggy. And the bike on the wall! What a great combo of storage/art.

posted by Liz A on April 21, 2011 at 12:35pm
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I want your kitchen. Hell, I want your whole place.

posted by hessilou on April 21, 2011 at 1:30pm
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Gorgeous - absolutely beautiful.

posted by minuet42 on April 21, 2011 at 1:49pm
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I have presonally moved away from minimalism (mid-century modern exhaustion) but I recognize when it's done well. Clean, slick, graphic; well-chosen pieces, serene color scheme - very nice.

posted by cvgmiami on April 21, 2011 at 1:50pm
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Great job--clean but not cold feeling throughout. Is that a vintage bed?

posted by jen_g on April 21, 2011 at 2:01pm
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Where is your bike hook/holder from?! I've been looking to find something to wall mount my bike lately..

posted by Jessie Gilliam on April 21, 2011 at 2:07pm
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I remember you from your "Gene's Coffee and Cream Bedroom" entry in the 2010 Color Contest. It's the cool Danish bed lamp that caught my eye then and now.

Your entire home is most attractive...clean, simple and tastefully furnished and accessorized. You have my vote again!

posted by Honore on April 21, 2011 at 2:09pm
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oh that kitchen... droooool

posted by folex98 on April 21, 2011 at 2:10pm
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Thanks so much for the compliments!
JenG: Yeah, all the furniture is vintage. The bed is by Richard Stein for Knoll from the mid-50s.
Crayfish: I guess comfort wasn't my primary concern, you're right! But my bed is an upholstered daybed by day, so that's where I stretch out :)
Jessie - Trying to remember where I got that hook -- you know, I actually have a spare one of those, if you're anywhere near Seattle you can have it.

posted by genesmallcool on April 21, 2011 at 2:21pm
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Jessie: I found the bike hanger: http://www.richltd.com/products/one-bike-wall-bracket-0506

posted by genesmallcool on April 21, 2011 at 2:49pm
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I desparately want your living couch and your chairs. I get so envious of what type of used/vintage pieces you can find on the mainland. Nothing like that here, ever.

Love the muted paint colors, although many things are vintage, it doesn't look too much so, just a nice clean asthetic.

And your kitchen! Gorgeous...

posted by mauishopgirl on April 21, 2011 at 3:38pm
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Impeccable. I like how open your place is, and of course I love your taste in lamps.

posted by tornadoZ on April 21, 2011 at 5:12pm
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gene, you are a master. i know how much stuff you have and yet you have created a sleek, open, minimal and warm space. strong work.

posted by mytvdinner on April 21, 2011 at 9:03pm
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this dude's got it down. cool stylin', I bet even the cat is a polished sophisticate.

posted by amentapart on April 21, 2011 at 9:23pm
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Looooooove!

posted by chelseaellen on April 21, 2011 at 10:59pm
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TAF LIVING.

posted by m4bandit on April 21, 2011 at 11:56pm
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Love it, love it! All you need is a pool for your pet otter!

posted by peltz on April 22, 2011 at 12:42am
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Dig the coffee pot

posted by apappa on April 22, 2011 at 12:43am
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Amazing pad! What's the bike?

posted by velodrome on April 22, 2011 at 12:47am
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When can I move in? Very nice :)

posted by maringilabert on April 22, 2011 at 1:18am
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Perfection

posted by romancet on April 22, 2011 at 3:52pm
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This is so well executed. Scale, proportions and colors are all great.

posted by ecorabbit on April 23, 2011 at 12:58am
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Nicely curated furniture. Love the bike too. That vignette looking towards your bedroom is fantastic.

posted by analogdialog on April 24, 2011 at 11:40pm
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Nice kitchen! Love the chairs and round table. What if we switch the couch area next to the window and the dining table near the kitchen (facing the bathrom door), and put the drawer besides the table?

posted by Ofelia on April 25, 2011 at 7:29pm
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Thanks for the comments/suggestions, it's very helpful.
The bicycle is an Eddy Merckx track bike from 1981.

posted by genesmallcool on April 26, 2011 at 3:27pm
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Unfortunately I am in NYC but thank you for the link! :)

posted by Jessie Gilliam on April 26, 2011 at 4:25pm
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I have the same Howard Miller lucite clock!

posted by cmolineaux on April 26, 2011 at 4:57pm
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Love that the pieces aren't the standard mid-century modern "greatest hits" from DWR. Kitchen is stunning. House tour?

posted by stickler on April 28, 2011 at 1:12pm
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