Name: Samuel and Barbara Davidson
Location: Mercer Island, Washington
Size: 260 square feet
Years lived in: 30 years
In the middle of beautiful Lake Washington, nestled amid four acres of wooded land, sits a tiny red caboose from 1949. Colorfully out of place among the giant evergreen trees and sprawling rhododendron, it’s a small jewel full of light and warmth. Full-height picture windows on one side overlook a large 8 foot by 20 foot private deck, all the better to take advantage of a sweeping western view of the wooded ravine and of Lake Washington. The railroad car sits on actual rails and serves as a live/work space for the Davidson family and for the occasional (and lucky) renter.
There is much privacy and nature surrounding this odd little structure and it makes the perfect getaway for those looking for a quiet retreat. The homeowners love its quirkiness and functionality. Many of the decorative materials were salvaged, like the Otis Elevator metalwork in the bathroom and the stained glass window on the outside door. The studio, although small, is incredibly comfortable thanks to a complete installation of electricity, heat, water and other amenities you’d find at home, like a washer and dryer and full kitchen. One entire wall is covered in windows, creating a vast amount of natural light and framing a picture-perfect view of the woods. Thoughtful design touches like the rockery bed behind the sink and stove are perfect for plants and flowers to soften the space.
The Davidson’s purchased this 4.25 acre waterfront property (which is currently for sale) in the 1950’s and there are several homes on the estate including the caboose, the original homesteaders cabin from the 1900’s and a mid-century modern home designed by the renowned Northwest architectural firm, Tucker and Shields. This type of property is incredibly rare on Mercer Island and the homeowners are very aware of its unique size and splendor. They are preserving this land by working with the Nature Conservancy to ensure that future owners cannot change the footprints of the original structures nor subdivide the property.
AT Survey:
Our style: Like living in a ship: efficient, using every nook and cranny of space. It was important to keep the spirit of the caboose while still transforming it into a livable space with lots of light.
Inspiration: The caboose itself provided the inspiration, it was important to find vintage details that were consistent with the time period.
Favorite Element: It's a tie between the stain glass window and the railway lantern outside.
Biggest Challenge: Creating a heating system and fitting a full kitchen into the space.
What Friends Say: They can't believe how much storage space there is and how amazing the view is from the deck.
Biggest Embarrassment: Can't think of one.
Proudest DIY: Creating a heating system that is efficient and takes up so little room.
Biggest Indulgence: The tiling details in the bathroom.
Best advice: Be patient and don't scrimp on the details!
(Thanks, Davidson Family!)
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This is truly incredible! I absolutely love it. I think I would have added a bit more color inside, but I could see living there and being quite comfortable. And waking up to that view every morning? well I might not hate my job so much...
This home is beautiful, but I can't help but be freaked out by the exterior: It reminds me too much of the cabin from Twin Peaks and Fire Walk With Me. Terrifying!!
i wish i had the nerve to live in a wooded area like that, but after years of watching criminal minds, the friday the 13th movies and deliverance, i'd be too freaked out.
I wish we could see it looking lived in! It would be interesting to see it with furniture and some styling. But I love all the railroad details and the exterior!
I'm confused. I don't see anywhere to sit down. Reminds me of the old 1890's trolleys, even the driver didn't have a seat, and wasn't allowed to bring one at home. (One of the first union issues in the transport industry--of course the stereotype about cabooses, OTOH, is that they were crew lounges.) The result is that this looks more like a retail space than a home.
Also, someone smack the photographer with a wet noodle. Many of the photos are out of focus and there are a bunch of repeats that don't add new info. I was very interested in the details on this dwelling (such as those lovely stained glass doors)--too bad they were all out of focus.
Kudos to the owners for being so concious of the land and space. That's an unfortunate rareity when it comes to view property in Seattle, especially Mercer Island. Typically you instead see a three story monstrosity of a box. Instead here is something original and beautiful. Good job!
My first thought after looking at the pictures was --where is the bed and the living room furniture?
I like the outside and the bath, but the inside seems sterile.
kahlil19107-there are fewer murderers in the woods than there are in the city. lol!
I too am having a hard time visualizing it as a lived-in space. I love the idea though, and the outside is fantastic.
Amost as neat as a treehouse.
Love what i see but unfortunately i think it is only 1/2 of the equation. Is this a year round home or a vacation home?
Love it, and I second everything mattsayswhat observed about Seattle area real estate. Too few building restrictions, too many heinous mcmansions and condo boxes, and the result has been a decimation of my old home turf's character and beauty. Every time I visit I discover new horrors.
So... kudos to the owners for protecting this precious plot of land, which looks like it's already sold.
Where do you live? Like sleeping? Eating? Reading? Relaxing? Not much to see.
It's a studio apartment, people. What did you expect in a caboose - a three bedroom bungalow?
I do like the colour scheme in the bathroom, blending white horizontals with steel blue verticals, especially as the verticals are wood paneling. The hexagonal tiles they used are hideous, but the colour is right: it might work better in a recycled glass composite or manufactured stone.
How many millions is the property selling for? Curiosity only. I save pennies to turn in at the bank.
Wow, how unique. I've seen diners in train cars but never a home. Beautiful property, good luck selling.
bb99:
From the link (which now says that, "The most recent listing for this property has gone off the market."):
Land $3,790,000
Additions $ 51,000
Total $3,841,000
Tax (2009) $ 12,050
I always wanted to be one of the boxcar children!! (I wanted to be Violet.) Although I think it would be more fun to find my own boxcar in the woods and fix it up with random junk, like the boxcar children did...
what? I'm an adult?
where is the bed? murphy? floor? cool but want more details or to see it in person!
Ditto yiyehtov!!
My uncle lived in a caboose (family of four.) for years while he slowly built his cabin. It's been my dream home since I was a kid.
Wow, what a gorgeous view! Very lovely. Just curious as to where you sit, eat and sleep though.
My first thought: How did it get there? And the rail road tracks too!
Bathroom is great. Pretty sterile otherwise but what a lovely idea! That horrid mirror wall in the living room should go and the closet space could be used much more efficiently - look at that lady in Tudor City (recent House Tour)! Crappy old appliances suggest this is a rental?
I'd love myself a little house in the woods though.
yiyehtov and Abby_Normal: the Boxcar Children immediately came to mind when I saw this, too!
I'm pretty sure Band of Horses wrote a song about your home, "Ode to LRC (Little Red Caboose)." *sigh*
Oooooh.... I like! Lots of possibilities here.
I adore cabooses. That said, while bits and pieces were nice (like the bathroom door), I'm afraid that I can't say I liked much else. Like others have mentioned, it's very sterile and cold looking inside. The wall O mirrors also date it and not in a good way (and what's up with the bathroom ceiling?!?). The enormous cut out window in the siding was very sad indeed and totally ruined what would otherwise have been a beautiful caboose on the outside. Sadly, IMO I'm afraid the reno missed the mark quite badly :(