Creating an unusual house satisfying, but risky
What to consider if turning home into an art project
SEATTLE — It’s hard to miss the enormous six-metre-wide American flag on the side of Richard Ormbrek’s home. Comprised of around 180 tiles painted with scenes of Americana against a background of red and white stripes, the flag pops from the orange cedar shingles with traffic-stopping audacity.
This is the second major art project that Ormbrek has put on the house he shares with brother-in-law Bruce Edenso. The first — a traditional Haida Indian totem house design that covered the entire side of the home — was painted in 1975 and made the house something of a local landmark.
Many people know of one: that neighbourhood house that’s quirky or dramatic or a bona fide art project.
But few have the inclination — or guts — to turn their own home into “that house,” to view their property as a giant canvas waiting to be explored.
“We needed to paint our house anyway,” says Ormbrek.
“And while we were mulling over the colour, we decided to make our home look like a longhouse.”
Ormbrek’s late wife Judy, a TlingitHaida, picked the totem design, which the Ormbreks projected from atop a car across the street while their friend Steve Priestly painted in the lines.
Neighbours gaped as the house was transformed, but only one seemed to mind, fearing it would bring down property values.
So far, it seems, the Totem House has neither driven down property values in one of Seattle’s hottest neighbourhoods, nor affected the resale value of the home itself.
“I get offers every week to buy my home,” says Ormbrek. “Of course I’m not planning on selling the house — it’s a very special place.”
Keith Wong, an agent in San Gabriel, Calif., for the national real-estate brokerage Redfin says a home’s price and location are more important than esthetics in tight markets.
“We educate our clients to look past cosmetics,” says Wong.
“If a house has good bones, it has lots of potential.”
For those considering a creative makeover to their home, remember it’s a fine line between special and tacky, Wong advises.
And consider how long you’ll be staying there.
“If you’re planning on selling your home anytime soon, it’s best to stick to cosmetics and keep with the characteristics of the neighbourhood architecturally,” he says.