Arts In Residence -- In 1929, Paul Thiry Designed This Minimal Yet Warm Environment. Six Decades Later It Welcomed The Contemporary Tastes Of Its New Owner.
SPACE.
Sometimes it appears mundane. Sometimes it's magic.
In some places, on some golden days, the qualities merge. It seems as if all that is beautiful and calm seems contained in that one, small place.
In such places, wonderful things are just waiting to happen.
That was the magic worked on artist David Chell the moment he stepped into a house designed by the late Paul Thiry.
"I immediately knew this was the place for me," said Chell of the 1929 Denny Blaine home. He held the thought as he stepped into the mosaic entry, a chaotic mix of colorful tile fired with primitive, pagan symbols of European mysticism. Nothing changed once he saw the cast-stone fireplace that reminded him of those he'd admired in French country houses. He grew more sure of his decision once he saw the light streaming in through a massive wood-paned glass "wall," once he spied a small, gothic interior window that peered down from the second floor into the living room below.
An internationally known architect, Thiry was respected for his quirky homes, for his modernistic approach to such public-space projects as Seattle Center, and for his strong opinions regarding what constituted good design.
Like Chell, the house was a mix of design sensibilities: respect for the traditional, love for the modern, a preference for experimentation. It was also the perfect architectural foil for his interior plan: a minimal yet warm environment that welcomed the contemporary and the primitive. An environment where there was room for surprise, but not for clutter. A space where his art, music, books and guests would feel at home.
Wisely, Chell decided not to make any major modifications or purchases for the first year. "I wanted to live in the house for a while before I put the whole thing together in my mind. Then it came together in one fell swoop."
Understandably, given his profession, Chell had no hesitation about proceeding with paint. Banishing the "landlord white" that covered the 2,000-square-foot home, he painted the rooms not once but three times before he felt the color did justice to Thiry's design.
"This isn't a highly polished, French Versailles kind of house. It's rural and rustic in the way of Provence," said Chell, who used earthy color to warm the stone and wood elements used throughout the house. He also wasted no time tearing out an upstairs carpet and several built-in bookcases that weren't part of the original design.
"Like Thiry, I wanted to give the house a good dose of the irreverent and the unexpected," said Chell, who enjoys putting things to nontraditional use. One example: A stainless-steel medical-supply cabinet that's used to shelter bottles of wine and flickering votives. For the most part, however, Chell took care to keep polished surfaces to a minimum, choosing natural fabrics and unfinished woods whenever possible.
Fortunately, Chell says, the sophistication of Seattle's design scene has soared over the past few years - just as he was ready to furnish his new home. "Some of these stores are more than simply places to shop," he says. "They're where you go to learn more about the classics as well as about great designers from all over the world." He bought most of his interior pieces locally at Current, Mondeo, Urban Ease and Egbert's.
Chell's personal study of art and architecture has taken him well beyond Washington's borders. He left Chicago to study painting at the University of New Mexico, then moved over the years to Spain, Sweden, Japan and Los Angeles. Once in Seattle, he spent several years working as a writer in the high-tech industry. "When you travel, you can't help but get an education in architecture and design. If you're lucky, you develop a passion for it," he says.
Despite all the jobs, all the travel, art remains his primary focus, his main occupation. "Simply put, I've always looked for day jobs that would support the development of my art," says Chell, who describes a current series of mixed-media paintings and drawings as "nature-based minimalism." Having exhibited in several cities, he plans to show in Seattle next year.
Above all, Chell says he tries to keep all things in life, including his home, where things are pared to essentials. "It's almost a spiritual thing. When I enter a room that is calm, a peaceful feeling goes through me. It's like an art collection in a way."
Writer Victoria Medgyesi regularly covers regional and national architectural, interior design and real-estate trends. Mike Siegel is a Seattle Times staff photographer.