Turned lousy shed into 3 dream homes around zen garden & spa
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.ย. 2024
- 25 years ago, Jeffrey Frechette bought “the last $100,000 house in Seattle," a tiny 1940s-era war bungalow that he describes as “a shack, literally built on cinder blocks and phone books."
As a recent architecture school grad, he immediately began designing an addition, leaving the original structure in place for him and his wife to live in. After building more space for his growing family, he continued to build and was soon renting out an upstairs apartment. He didn’t stop designing and building; soon, he had a Scandinavian-inspired backyard home a wood-burning sauna for rent.
Today, he can legally rent the two units, one as an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) and the other as an “extra room.” The entire compound is inspired by Japanese courtyard design with plants for natural privacy screening and planned views. Frechette feels fortunate that his passion has translated into passive income for the family, but he admits that “it’s a lot of house I’ve managed to piece together over 25 years”. He has a friend who jokes that he goes to Remodelers Anonymous. “He’s like, ‘you just can't stop,’ but I mean, I just love doing it. It is my favorite thing to do.”
Frechette does all of the work himself “the plumbing, electrical, hydronic heat system and a lot of furniture.” Much of his work is inspired by the materials he finds at salvage yards, like the huge round window that dominates the ADU living room or the shoji screens which cover the cheap, vinyl sliding door in the bedroom.
The backyard unit sleeps 8 in just 800 square feet, and Frechette took advantage of ideas like suspended sleeping lofts for space efficiency. The A-frame bedroom in the loft was inspired by his love for sailing.
On *faircompanies: faircompanies....
Kirsten, this channel truly feeds mind, body and spirit. The two of you make an incredible team. Thank you for bringing the world and such talented people to our screens.
I like the lampshades and the wood the house
I wish I had gone to architect school now. I guess it’s not too late at 37 is it? I was a nurse for 12 years but that’s extremely challenging work and also very rewarding but you get to a point where it’s time to change direction and that’s where I’m at. I am fascinated with design and spaces alternative style living. And this property is incredible oh my gosh I’m in love
I saw your comment - - and that it was 11 months old - - hope you have applied to architect school by now.
never too late, go for it!!
@kimberlykay1495 talk to architects first, especially the graduates and assistants and find out about their day to day week existence. The creative world can be intensely brutal.
Such a genius builder! He puts passion to every detail and that every feature of his house has a story. Thanks for sharing.
These are the kinds of videos that bring us joy: somebody expressing their passion for a project that they implemented themselves.
It's weird how his house can feel so cluttered yet so organized and comfy at the same time. Usually lots of things in a space makes me sorta anxious, but his house just looks cozy and inviting
I have loved every structure you’ve showcased but this one has to be my favorite. And I only live 45 minutes north of Seattle so maybe I can stay there sometime. This guys fetishes are the very best kind to have because it’s moved him to create such beauty that will remain long after he’s gone. What a legacy
I feel he is so happy at home. He loves where he lives. He comes off as a very happy man. Fun living! Sociable! Again Fun!
That was truly interesting! I loved hearing him talk, as he went along and explained different construction elements and processes, and his feelings about so many of the elements. What a fascinating place he's constructed, inside and outside both! This video really captivated me; I was even sorry to see it end.
This man reminds me of my grandfather in that he loved to build with different materials too including materials not meant to be seen but used as only structural. My granddad found beauty in both the material and simplicity of the design. He also built his own furniture. Cheers to Jeffrey. He has created something beautiful and functional.
I love how organic the space is and how it evolved over time thru necessity.
If anyone is building a none conventional house, it would be a great idea to visit for a weekend, and learn from the buildings and he himself. There’re so many themes and ideas implemented in one location. Almost like a “research building”. The buildings you find Kirsten.
"It just happens, over time..." but it takes money. Not everyone can do this, but it's fun to imagine. Gives a great feeling of open space. Love it.
what a talented man Jeffrey is. I am so impressed by his passion and visions. Thank you for another beautiful video.
Love his enthusiasm and how the structures grew in an organic way... very dreamy indeed.
What a fantastic tour guide. Such a soothing voice. I kept wondering where his partner was. Apparently, she is kept in the tower.🤣😂😁 A wonderful lady as well. This is one of your best episodes yet.
Michael - for all the un- indoctrinated , the term ' one of your best' certainly falls into a huge film archive. So for the newbe's, understand Fair Company translated = a vast archive containing a winters time worth of equally beautiful build tours🎈
love the passion in Jeffrey's presentation, his place is lovely
What beautiful and creative work! I love it! I especially love the sentiments toward the garden and mimicking natural trails and nature… sublime. I wish I had even a 1/4 of his abilities!
This is another awesome tour! This man is thoroughly in his flow as he explains the material, architecture and processes...all demonstrating his love for creating. Loved that circular window, lighting and materials throughout! So cool.
I like how he said, “I don’t need all the space but I like to build it.” That’s sort of like how some people like to cook or sew or do some sort of craft, but they don’t need everything they produce, so they sell it. This guy’s hobby is making living spaces!
What an amazing organic collection of great ideas. I live close to Seattle so will check AirBnB for his listings. Great staycation opportunity.
Wow. He’s created a awesome place I absolutely love it
What an extraordinary space! I love homes that feel organic and have various levels and are SO far removed from subdivision-style, soul-sucking boxes that so many people live in. This fed my soul! Those garden areas... ahhhhh....
I want to be snowed in, enjoy a cook out and hang out with this guy and talk arch for hours
Wow….just like a treasure maze with endless sites to discover!!!
Marvelous ideas and handcraft!
I can almost feel the owner’s mind is constantly flooding with crazy ideas, full of adventures n experimenting projects in every corner! Marvelous!
Thanks Kristen for sharing!👍🏻
Such an enthusiastic host! His house is such a labor of love.
I absolutely adore this eclectic artwork of a home every detail he created. I would love to spend a weekend reading books eating and walking through all of the greenery.
Love Jeffrey's energy, it shines through his work so beautifully too!
Really shows what can be done with proper forethought. Nice esthetically pleasing to the eye.
Incredible home. This man reminded me of my father, this warmed my heart ty
A home and gardens that I'd want to work on and maintain and enjoy every day. It'd be a pleasure to come home there. Beautiful. The corner window is fabulous, an incredible design. That concept is brilliant. Jaw dropping room after room.
What a joy he projects in his creation xxx
You are absolutely brilliant. Such a beautiful and peaceful environment. I wish I had your vision. Absolute paradise.
Awesome channel. Love your content
Wow, what a creative endeavor. Absolutely enchanting!
just... wow!! an architect who designs an organic feeling home, that oozes love and colour and 'chaos' and nature... wild!! love that place!!
I love the organic nature of this home, that can only happen over time, and if the homeowners are willing to built large parts of it themselves. Then you can find something this unique and beautiful, and no matter how many angles the house has, it feels soft around the edges.🐝🤗❤️
Joy! He radiates creativity and delight! So beautiful, like a gorgeous wooden boat in the middle of a green retreat!
Wow! This house has so many intriguing nooks and crannies.
Really enjoyed this as the wife and I have been doing the same thing with a 3 car garage for the last twelve years. When I think I am about done she comes up with more to do
So beautiful and homey. I like how the teens have a spot now to hang and be loud. Lots of nice privacy and I love that you tried go reuse wherever possible. Nature brings it all together. Love.
As an interior designer, I agree with this guy: it's so different designing for another and just designing/building on the fly for yourself. You can experiment so much more on the fly (though there's always an element of creating on the fly for any project as unforeseen factors arise-- and it depends if the designer/architectect just hands the plans over or gc's the job). Designing as I build is my favorite way and you can usually only work that way for yourself. I really enjoyed this labyrinth of a build. This architect is living his best life. What fun!
Wow! I’m learning so much from this architect, excellent video 👍🙏🇯🇵
That is one very cool dude. The joy he has throughout the beautiful home he built is contiguous! 😍😍😍😍😍
Fascinating individual, love the salvaging of materials. Great stuff that has been reused to look amazing. Thanks Kristen.
"Cinderblocks and phone books"... Love that!
Now THIS is inspiring.
This is a hot mess but it works. I love his passion.
You gotta love that guy
Love the round window and coziness of this place
Remember that your greatest Talent, is so much more powerful than your biggest Fear.
Great quote 🤘🏻
The outdoor spaces are so appealing.
One of my top 3 homes so far. It's beautiful. He's a true artist.
Thank you for the well made video that gives in depth views of all the spaces of this property.
It helps with the craving of seeing such a fascinating place and wishes I could slowly explore it in person.
Thanks for the wonderful video
This man woke up and choose violence. 😂 it chaotic, not so disabled friendly physically , claustrophobic yet I can’t stop watching my body is itchy yet I can’t stop 😂, it defo reminds me out a compound in Nigeria
Great video! I raised my daughter in a house like this...ours had pressed cardboard covered with film SEWER line. Used during WWII because there was a copper/metal shortage. Lots of crazy stuff.
Fantastic use of space and materials! Genius!
..."This space just sparkles!"
Really enjoyed this creative journey this architect took,it conveys cozy,simple needs met and frugal spaces. Thank you.
Thank you for blessing us with your amazing gifts of story-telling and videography. I learn so much from each of your videos.
It's a beautiful house, one to live in.
WOW, Jeffrey is the kind of Architect that I would love to have design a home similar to what he has designed with his home for myself to build. Not so much to have rental units, but just the functional and unique design. When the day comes that I can buy a piece of land, the first thing I will build will be a storage and shop building because I will immediately begin collecting similar kinds of useful woods, windows, doors, and other items, and those items will dictate the design of the home I would build for my wife and family.
The garden would also be part of what I would want as well. And that would be a very large part of the property as I love gardening of all kinds. In the garden would also be a pond that would be a small animal sanctuary for the kinds of animals I love to keep. They would have an outdoor and indoor home that would be seasonal.
Totally amazed how beautiful of a home and property he has created from what it was 25 years before. A total transformation! Truly amazing and beautiful!
Thanks Kirsten and Nico for another incredible find on video!!
Keep Safe and Always Inspiring,
Matt - Toronto, Canada
So inspiring. Great story, great video. Great interesting property.
Awesome! This house must be documented properly and allow the young architects for their research project :)...
Very cool spaces, and all wrapping around that awesome garden area. Bonus points for the use of exposed parralam ! 🤙🇨🇦
The amount of detail and creativity is insanity 😂🤦🏽♂️ The saying’s “winging it” or “just go with the flow” has truly been used in this home😂🙏🏼 Simply amazing and IMPRESSIVE!!
In my humble opinion this is by far the best house you guys have covered. Good job
I am astonished. This is an emperor-has-no-clothes situation for me. I appreciate the tour but think the site is a nightmare.
So impressed with every detail!! ❤
This was a wonderful tour, love how they reused items and created their own joy along the way
I want to move in now. What a fantastic space ! It looks so warm and friendly !
love this. It is beautiful... unexpected... and very homey. It kind of reminds me of Chinese domestic compounds that sort of sprout up over time to accommodate generations of families.
What a great idea
I love this place. This man did an amazing job. It's so interesting the way he thinks about materials.
This home is amazing, love to check it out in Seattle someday
Just love your channel your both awesome videographers , this is a beautiful build and tour 🙏❤️🇳🇿🇳🇿
Of all your wonderful videos, I think this is my all-time favorite. Such an interesting and thoughtful design.
This was very reminiscent of the "owner, designer, builder" journey I took through the years of living in my first house. "Thanks, for the memories".🙂 (Oh, and I'm still doing it in my current retirement home/studio. 😄)
I love the way this man thinks,
What an amazing architect
Organic and humane.
BEAUTIFUL.
THANKS FOR SHARING.
Very nice build
pretty nice to be able to get city petmits for all your property dreams.
I have not stop watching this video I have not put pause on it I watching this handsome man he’s so good looking and he lives close to me ha ha ha
Beautiful! Thank you ❤️
This place is spectacular. I reckon you could've spent another good filming as it feels like even though we saw so much, we also missed so much. You did well to fit in as much as you did with the amount of time you had. Especially given that old mate was all over the place, wanting to show you everything at once!
This guy is such an inspiration and as much as I'd enjoy everything he builds, it would come at a cost. Mainly because I think he'd be a nightmare to live with, especially until he got his newest ideas out of his head and into a structure!
This was very "enlightening" in terms of architectural versatility...and organic building...as well as incorporating indoor-outdoor living space...and a lot more ❗ Very very educational videos for the like minded... Thanks to both of you so so much , just keep it up friends...❗👍👍
That is an incredible place, I particularly like the yard
This blows me away
I love this eclectic mix of repurposed items that gives this unique home a wabi sabi zen feel. Hard to believe this home is in the heart of Seattle ! Fantastic
Thank you for visiting Seattle Kirsten.
Love this design
Buddy...you seem insecure about how much you added to the lot.... You should just be PROUD! Own it man! That is beautiful.... to hell with haters....they are prob just jealous.... rock on man so cool
I'm living that life project right now. Worth it in the long run.
Beautiful.. Nice reminder to move slow and create over time rather than in one sweeping plan.
LOVE his visions and boldness to build such a unique property. Man can I hire you for mine lol. Not in Washington but Ohio state.
That space make me happy. Bravo.
I’m just stunned. I’m not sure I can find the right words. His boundless creativity and taste is just staggering. To say that I would love to live in any of these spaces feels like a massive understatement. To be that hands on with materials and building must really inform/enhance his designs for other structures in his body of work. Kirsten, if he has any other buildings he’s able to share with us I’d love to see it.
I'm loving all these inspirations this channel gives me. Thank you for all these videos. It's also so wonderful that you guys create these often with the entire family. God bless y'all!!
I absolutely love this home!! To me it is like a Frank Lloyd Right inspired maze home. It is like going on a journey through his architectural mind. Each space is its own thing but they all flow together. Absolutely beautiful home!!
Cheers
Wow. What great spaces.