Isabelle & Nick’s Refurbished Warehouse

Name: Isabelle and Nick Robertson
Location: Ballard; Seattle, Washington
Size: 1,700 square feet
Years lived in: 7 years; Rented

When Isabelle and Nick moved to Seattle from Brooklyn seven years ago, they moved into an empty warehouse owned by their in-laws. Previously occupied by a business, the space had no kitchen, no windows and only a urinal in the bathroom! Since then, the couple has personally renovated the entire space for their family of four, including a lofted master bedroom and closet.

The couple’s design studio and fabrication workshop, Piano Nobile, is located in a connected space in the same building, so the duo is never far from their two young children while working. Plus, the home retains many of the facets of a proper warehouse, including reclaimed wood stairs salvaged from a concrete factory (don’t worry, there are several safety gates and other precautions taken for the little ones), and a large-scale garage door which opens into the home on hot, sunny days.

Together, Nick and Isabelle designed the space to encompass family and work life, while giving a nod to their former New York lifestyle. “The concrete floors have turned out to be a perfect play surface for painting, play-doh, and cars, trucks, and trains. And we even have a tiny garden to play in, which our neighbor teasingly calls our New Yorkers’ garden,” says Isabelle.

I absolutely loved being in this space with with Isabelle, Nick and their two charming daughters. Despite the expected trappings of such an airy floor plan, the home feels cozy, colorful and absolutely welcoming. Enjoy!

Our Style: Warm, welcoming, bustling, industrial preschool.

Inspiration: World of Interiors Magazine, Handcrafted Modern by Leslie Williamson

Favorite Element: Our friends and family

Biggest Challenge: Staying as flexible as we want to be now that we have kiddos

What Friends Say: Let’s open the big door!

Biggest Embarrassment: When our neighbor teases us about lovingly tending to our teeny tiny driveway garden: “Look at you with your little New York garden!”

Proudest DIY: Every last inch of it! Nick’s favorite: the floating loft. Isabelle’s favorite: the pin up board living room wall.

Biggest Indulgence: A new king-size bed and all the trimmings for our anniversary this year.

Best Advice: Paint it white.

Dream Sources: ABC Carpet & Home

• Ralph Lauren “Loft Living” white on all walls

• Shoe cubby: custom Chadhaus
• Noli Map: Piano Nobile

• Eames rocker: Modernica
• Rag rug: Land of Nod
• Tree trunk stool: Laura Yeats

• Table: custom Chadhaus
• Pendant shade: Piano Nobile
• Paintings: Isabelle Grizzard Robertson
• Play kitchen: Educo

• Kitchen shelves and cabinets: Ikea
• Cone soaps: Pat Kim
• Tea towel: Piano Nobile
• Hanging planter: Mud Puppy
• Porcelain town house: Seletti
• Brownstone print: Claudia Pearson

• Semaphore side table: Piano Nobile
• Belle Lamp: Piano Nobile

• Flower chandelier: Land of Nod
• Canvas bins: Storables

Thanks, Isabelle & Nick!

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