This lovely mid-century modern house from Seattle, was the property of Mr. and Mrs. Bowman. The entire project was designed by Mr. Donald Bowman himself, him being a renown architect. The exterior is clean and uncluttered with just two windows on the entry side. Instead of covering post-beam details, he used them as trim: vertical 2x4s frame cedar-plank sections; 2x8 above give the roof a long, low sweep. With the carport in front, he created sheltered storage and delivery areas - and screened the entry.
On the other side, Donald used the post-beam design to open the house to the secluded yard. Doubled 2x8 joints project beyond the glass walls, supported by tripled 2x4 columns. Overhead, a 28-foot-long screen of 2x2s breaks up bright sunlight. A matching deck- set flush with the living room floor - lets the family enjoy every minute of the Seattle summers.
At the entry you find carefully matched wood areas and supports; a covered, illuminated walkway of 2x4s leading from the carport; a bright entry door with a glass panel beside it.
The key to its efficient activity areas is the 18-foot storage-serving counter shown here. It channels incoming guests to either the living or family rooms without giving the entry a boxed-in feeling. During mealtime, this counter works as a handu buffet or serving unit, actually extending the kitchen working area to the dining table. Underneath the counter is a two-foot-wide strip of storage that fits each room it passes: equipment and dinnerware for the kitchen; games and hobby items for the family room.; linens and table accessories for the dining area. To keep down cleaning, the counter top was surfaced with plastic-laminate, and the sides were made with prefinish paneling. Sturdy beams, stained to match, anchor the long cabinet and support the roof.
The kitchen takes full advantage of the divider-counter - and puts other storage where it's needed most. On this side of the counter is a small eating area that makes quick meals quicker. The range is built into the end of the counter, just steps away and the counter top holds almost any hot-dish or snack combination. This same eating area easily becomes a convenient planning desk or part-time sewing center - right where Sue Bowman can keep her eye on Bradford, the youngest Bowman, as he plays. Instead of the usual cupboard storage, the Bowman kitchen concentrates its storage in a pair of floor-to-ceiling pantry built-ins. Both have shelves tailored to their contents - canned goods and staples in the pantry shown, large appliances and serving peces in one just out of the picture. Besides spotting the storage where it's needed, these bifolding-door add the crucial kitchen asset: organization. Combine all this with a recessed refrigerator and under-the-counter storage by the window and you have a kitchen that will keep up with you for years.
The family room helps tell the Bowman expansion story (compare asmall, large plans above). In the first stage, the 11 1/2x15 family room serves as a compact, well-rdered living area right off the kitchen. The glass panel at one side gives a controlled view - and plenty of light. Later on, this room turns into an inviting, convenient family center.
The living-dining room wing is a good example of the way additions fit this house. Here the old outside wall disappears, the roof extends 24 feet and you get a living room with all the things that make relaxing second nature - freestanding fireplace, grooved cedar wall, ceiling-to-floor glass and efficient floor plan.
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