Rebuilding a Nest

A remodel persists through more than a decade to open up a Seattle mid century home to the elements in the right way.

IT’S NOT UNCOMMON THAT your design objectives change a little from the start of a remodel to the end. But what is rare is that the design plans for a home would stay intact throughout a more than decade- long project with plenty of false starts and road bumps in between. “The objectives stayed true and endured the 10- year gap between design and construction,” says Jill Rerucha, founder of Rerucha Studio.

Jill is no stranger to mid century homes, and it’s her experience remodeling them that likely gave the vision its sticking power. “We have worked on two Paul Kirk houses and just finished a little mid century gem with a Northwest Japanese influence. I live in a kind of ‘ mod’ mid century beach house in Seattle.”

Feathering the Nest

This Seattle mid century home, built in 1952 by Perry Johanson of the prestigious NBJJ architecture firm, had seen significant wear and was in a downright state of neglect by the time a new owner enlisted Jill to help in reviving the gem. “The owner was a Mid Century Modern enthusiast. Maintaining the redeeming qualities of the house was paramount,” Jill says.

They chose to keep the footprint of the house intact. The idea was not about transforming the entire house; it was about making the home a better version of itself. “Creating a home that supports a modern lifestyle was a goal. The home should be comfortable for casual living and entertaining inside and out.”

To do that, Jill and contractor Caspers Built stripped the home, “being careful to keep the redeeming mid century bones, existing beams and car decking, living room façades,” she says. “We removed an unsightly, out- ofplace 1980s sunroom addition. We replaced all windows, resided and reroofed, added the steel front door and sun screens and then turned the garage roof into a conversation pit that flows out from the kitchen.”

Jill says the house was significantly opened, “allowing ease of flow inside and out and daylight to penetrate through.”

When Design Takes Flight

During a phase where construction was halted, local starlings infiltrated the property and built nests in cavities left open, so the home was dubbed “The Starlings’ Nest.” “The new owner purchased the home the day it listed,” Jill said. “The simple modern aesthetic and openness resonated. The project name changed from ‘ Starlings’ Nest’ to ‘ New Bird’.”

What is a great takeaway from this project that highlights a way a mid century- era home can be brought into current times while honoring those authentic roots? “Imperfection and the weathering of time is OK,” Jill says. “Not everything needs to be perfect. The counter between the very modern elements like the sliding doors and sleek kitchen and the existing heavy, imperfect beams and car decking give the house soul.”

“THE CONVERSATION PIT IS A WONDERFUL MID CENTURY MODERN CLASSIC,” JILL SAYS. “WHILE THIS IS A NEW ADDITION, IT DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM THAT ERA. THIS DESIGN ELEMENT CAME LATER TO THE PROJECT, JUST PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION. IT IS A SIGNIFICANT LIFESTYLE CHANGE, EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT OF THE HOUSE AND SUPPORTING AN INDOOR- OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE.”

“THE FRONT FAÇADE SHOWS THE REDEEMING QUALITIES OF THE HOUSE PRIMARILY IN THE LARGE LIVING ROOM PICTURE WINDOW,” JILL SAYS. “ABOVE THE GARAGE WAS A CLUNKY 1980s UNUSED SUNROOM, WHICH WAS REMOVED, ALLOWING THE KITCHEN FULL ACCESS TO THE VIEWS AND CONVERSATION PIT.”

( TOP) THE STRONG BONES OF THE HOUSE ARE RETAINED IN THE LIVING ROOM. “THE MID CENTURY POST- AND- BEAM CONSTRUCTION LENDS ITSELF TO REMODELS,” JILL SAYS. “THEY TYPICALLY HAVE STRONG, CLEAN LINES AND SIMPLE STRUCTURES, MAKING IT EASY TO FRESHEN UP, OPEN UP AND MODERNIZE.”

( RIGHT) THIS IMAGE SHOWS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TRANSFORMATION. “THE EXISTING KITCHEN, STAIRWELL AND DINING ROOM WERE SMALL AND CLOSED OFF FROM THE OTHER SPACES,” JILL SAYS. “AND THERE WAS NO INDOOR/ OUTDOOR CONNECTION TO THE GARAGE ROOF.” NOW, WITH WALLS REMOVED AND OPEN SHELVES TAKING THE PLACE OF UPPER CABINETS, THE SPACE IS BRIGHT, OPEN AND AIRY. ( BELOW, RIGHT) THE NEW GLASS DOORS OPEN ONTO THE BACK PATIO AND EMPHASIZE HOW THE HOUSE IS ALMOST COMPLETELY OPEN TO THE VIEW ON BOTH SIDES.