Houzz Tour: Sweetening the Penthouse Deal

Kim Hagstette of Maven Interiors in Portland, Oregon, had designed not one, not two, but three homes for a couple who once lived outside the city. So when it came to designing an urban penthouse for the pair, who are new empty nesters, the trust built during previous projects endowed her with the creative license to go more modern. Using almost entirely local artists, she gave the once-vanilla space a Portland-centric flavor.

Project at a Glance
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 4,200 square feet

Photography: Lincoln Barbour Photo

When you hear the word “penthouse,” you probably imagine an uppermost dwelling outfitted with top-of-the-line amenities. The original home here was not so. “It was the model unit, and it was built with very plain materials,” says Hagstette. “It had a nice floor plan and great views, but was otherwise pretty boring.”


AFTER: The remodel gave the penthouse all of the drama the word conjures. The new ribbon fireplace has a bold black slate surround and is flanked by a built-in seat with an upholstered back that stretches to the ceiling.

Chairs: Vitra; lounge chair: Eames; flower-shaped table: Moroso


A dramatic laser-cut metal artwork by Katy Stone hovers over the fireplace and turns the corner before traveling down the hall. Most of the artwork is by local artists, sourced through the Heidi McBride Gallery.


The kitchen’s near lack of contrast previously made it look monochromatic. The light-colored wood had suffered UV damage from the sun’s streaming in through the windows, the cabinets had lightened in an irregular pattern.


AFTER: New solid mahogany cabinets have a rich color and a UV-protective finish. (Motorized solar shades also help with sun control.) A PentalQuartz countertop has slight metallic flecks, picked up by the bow tie pendant above the eating area.


The designer says this skinny space, linked to the kitchen in an L configuration, was initially a true head scratcher. “It was kind of bizarre,” she says. “It’s an 8-foot-wide space that’s about 22 feet deep, and it has an amazing view — the best in the house.”


AFTER: Her solution: turn it into a sexy lounge area with plush leather sofas for relaxing and taking in the view. Most of the mahogany paneling is the backside of the cabinets, but one panel hides the door to a small storage closet. (The ottoman positioned in front of it can easily be moved.) A pivoting arm allows the TV to be turned toward the sofa at the end of the room or the small table at the end of the kitchen.

Sofas, tables: B&B Italia


The most surprising treatment is on the back wall of the lounge: 19 yards of black faux fur, the kind the designer says is usually found on teddy bears. “I had the ceiling coved here to soften the space,” she says. “I asked my upholsterer to sew channels into the fabric, and it runs up the wall and onto the ceiling.”

The designer created the custom light fixture with artisans from Made and Esque Studio.


The media room was once boxy and bland.


AFTER: The new media room has layers of color and textiles. The wall that holds the television is covered with custom black Moufelt fabric.


The bedroom once lacked character.


AFTER: The new bedroom has enough character for an episode of Downton Abbey. The new fireplace is clad with steel, softened on each side by reflective dressers and a silk wall covering.


“We had the sheet metal hand patinated to give it an almost satiny look,” says Hagstette. It’s the fine touches that makes this penthouse sweet.

URL: Houzz Tour: Sweetening the Penthouse Deal http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-22695.html