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Name: Jason Mathews of SHERIDAN + COMPANY, Michael Nielsen, their sons Nick and Linus, and a brood of chickens.
Location: Ballard; Seattle, Washington
Size: 1,900 square feet
Years lived in: 4 years; owned

You might remember the SHERIDAN + COMPANY showroom tour we published last week. If you liked what you saw, then you may love owner Jason Mathews and his partner Michael's contemporary farm house.

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The couple has created a rustic yet modernized family home in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, using vintage treasures and sleek interior touches. The house is cleanly designed and orderly, despite the jubilant rumblings of two little boys, who were excited and knowledgeable about chickens and Star Wars, despite their playfulness resulting in a bunch of adorably blurry family photos I took (not pictured).

The house has a warm and light-filled atmosphere, which balances the many elegant, cool colors that they have used in the living room, bedroom and guest room. Plus, the touches of quirky design that pepper each corner, such as a taxidermy pheasant or a giant peanut on the coffee table, are playful and heart-warmingly fun. If you love this look, and live in the area, definitely check out SHERIDAN + COMPANY for design services or interiors.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: I want our house to be a balanced mix of beautiful, masculine and functional. We use everything--no museum pieces and we avoid trends. I think a room should by timeless. I don't want to live in a Mad Men set or a barn but I do want to layer elements of both.

Inspiration: I'm inspired by old barns, farm houses and mixing those elements with modern and industrial touches.

Favorite Element: That is like picking a favorite child, but we do love the vintage medicine cabinet that now serves as a bar. It bought at a flea market in Park Slope, Brooklyn where we used to live. Michael carried it home on top of his head.

Biggest Challenge: For me designing other people's homes come naturally, but creating my own space is a challenge. When you are a designer and it is your own house, there are no limits ... except for budget. That can make the decision making narrowing down choices long and a little daunting. But it is also exciting. You can break all the rules you want!

What Friends Say: We're always pleased when visitors first walk in and say, "are you sure you have kids?" Nick and Linus play all over the house, but we all do a good job of cleaning up toys and putting them back in the playroom. Nick especially loves keeping them organized.

Biggest Embarrassment: We need to replace the carpet in the playroom, we've had some minor floods and other accidents that come with having little kids.

Proudest DIY: Changing out some boring light fixtures left by the previous owners that better reflect our personality and style.

Biggest Indulgence: At the time it was our sofa bought before I started doing interior design. We searched for months living with uncomfortable sitting chairs in our sitting room but holding out for exactly the right piece. When we finally found it it was as if the skies had opened up: the perfect length, perfect width, perfect style. It didn't matter how much it cost--we had to make payments on it but it was worth it! Now it needs to be recovered, but I still love it.

Best Advice: If you see something you like, buy it. There's nothing worse than going back the next day and finding the treasure is gone. Trust your gut.

Dream Sources: Vintage or antique stores. Mixing old things with new things gives a place soul. I like objects that have a story.

Resources of Note:

PAINT & COLORS

    • Benjamin Moore - Crisp Khaki
    • Dining Room - Martha Stewart/Home Depot Wrought Iron
    • Living Room - Martha Stewart/Home Depot Bedford Gray
    • Guest Room - Martha Stewart/Home Depot Whetsone Gray
    • Inside kitchen cabinets - Martha Stewart/Home Depot Yam

ENTRY


LIVING ROOM


DINING ROOM


KITCHEN


BEDROOM

    • Bed: Bernhardt Interiors
    • TV Stand: Ikea
    • Night stands: Crate & Barrel
    • Silver Coral Drawer Pulls: Anthropologie

GUEST BEDROOM


Thanks, Jason and Michael!

(Images: Andie Powers)

• HOUSE TOUR ARCHIVE: Check out past house tours here.
• Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy? Contact the editors through our House Tour Submission Form.
• Are you a designer/architect/decorator interested in sharing a residential project with Apartment Therapy readers? Contact the editors through our Professional Submission Form.

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