Tag Archives: architecture

Photographing Seattle Home Styles, From Craftsman to Modern

house near green trees
Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

Walk a few blocks in Ballard and you can pass an early 20th century bungalow, a mid-century rambler and a townhome built in the last few years. On Capitol Hill, older houses sit on tree-lined side streets a short walk from condo buildings. Seattle’s houses were built in very different styles, and each one asks something different of a camera.

A photo setup that flatters a glassy new townhome can make a craftsman bungalow look cramped and dark. A slow, detail-heavy video suits an old house full of woodwork and bores a viewer in a clean modern interior. This guide goes through the three styles you see most in Seattle listings and how each one reads in photos and video.

Craftsman Houses and Early Bungalows

The appeal of an early 20th century Seattle house is in the details: a deep front porch, square or tapered porch columns, low-pitched roofs with wide eaves, and inside, built-in cabinets, window seats, wood trim and a fireplace at the center of the living room.
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Creative Reuse in Architecture: Building Up, Not Out

concrete and wooden modern home
Image Credit: Unsplash

The homes we live in are evolving canvases that reflect our changing lives. As families grow and needs shift, the question of space often comes up. Instead of looking outward and expanding our footprint, a growing movement in architecture encourages us to look up. This approach, rooted in creative reuse, offers a sustainable and innovative way to adapt our living spaces for the future, proving that the most creative solution is often right above our heads.

Redefining ‘Creative Reuse’

When you hear “creative reuse,” you might think of turning glass jars into planters or old T-shirts into tote bags. In architecture, the concept operates on a much grander scale. It’s about seeing the potential in existing buildings and adapting them for new purposes, a practice known as adaptive reuse. This philosophy is transforming our cityscapes, with innovative architects reclaiming spaces by turning defunct factories into chic loft apartments, old churches into community centers, and abandoned warehouses into vibrant art galleries. These projects breathe new life into forgotten structures, preserving history while serving contemporary needs.
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Eye On Design: Geisel Library at UCSD


All Photos by Gail

Recently, while vacationing in San Diego, I made a stop at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) campus, where I discovered one of the most wonderfully unusual library buildings I’ve ever seen. Meet Geisel Library, a futuristic concrete-and-glass landmark that looks a little like a spaceship that has landed in the middle of campus.

The building is named for Theodor Seuss Geisel and his wife, Audrey. You probably know Theodor better by his pen name, Dr. Seuss, the legendary author and illustrator whose wonderfully strange, colorful and often surprisingly wise children’s books were a part of my own childhood. The library was renamed in their honor on December 1, 1995, following a $20 million gift from Audrey Geisel. Before that, it had been known as the Central University Library and, after a 1993 expansion, as University Library.

But the building itself is every bit as interesting as its namesake.
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Turning Your Living Space Into a Work of Art

clear glass chandelier above brown fabric sofa set inside the living room
Photo by Zak Chapman on Pexels.com

Your home is more than just a place to live —i t’s where life unfolds, where you recharge, and where your personality can truly shine. Thoughtfully designing your living space is an art that blends comfort, function, and self-expression. By curating a home that reflects your tastes and lifestyle, you can transform everyday surroundings into something inspiring — a space that not only meets your needs but also tells your unique story.
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What Does a Dream Home Look Like to You?

dream home
Source: Unsplash (CC0)

When people think about their dream home, they often picture huge kitchens, luxury bathrooms, and maybe endless square footage to work with. But once you really start thinking about it, a dream home usually has less to do with size and more to do with how the space makes you feel every day.

For some people, it’s a quiet reading corner flooded with natural light. For others, it’s an open kitchen where family naturally gathers at the end of the day. The best dream home ideas usually come from imagining your ideal lifestyle first and the design second. Because  a beautiful home that doesn’t support the way you actually live rarely feels complete.
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