4770 Ohio Ave S
Ste B
Seattle, WA 98134
info@paxsonfay.com
he owners of this Seattle home had lived in the two-bedroom, two-bathroom space for about a year before they decided to move forward with a remodel. When that time came, they enlisted the help of longtime friend Ian Butcher, founding partner at Best Practice Architecture, and his team.

At the beginning, the project was a more modest endeavor—transforming the basement into an ADU, improving the kitchen and two existing bedrooms, and turning the loft space into a home office. But, Ian says, as the project progressed, the owners decided they wanted to think bigger and replace the loft with a second-story primary suite addition.

“The existing house had been remodeled and changed in the ‘80s, and while it had good Craftsman bones, it was in serious need of improvements,” Ian says. “The rooms were all fairly small, and the organization of the spaces needed to be reconsidered for better flow and furnishing options.”

A design consideration was figuring out how to make the home kid-friendly, but not a home for kids since the couple had their first child during the process. Additionally, since they’re both in creative fields, they weren’t afraid of pushing the envelope and “embracing the weird.” That meant Ian and team were able to go bold with color.

“Our studio is somewhat known for our use of color, which was originally a cost-effective strategy to impart some design allure to various projects with limited budgets,” he explains. “Through these early projects, we liked how color can be used to define three-dimensional spaces, and we love color. We continue to look for opportunities to deploy colorful elements in our projects, but we are very deliberate about the extent to which they are not merely decorative, but a way to imply spatial relationships. And it’s fun!”

Ian says the biggest change was in the basement, which had low ceilings due to poor decisions on structural consideration and existing utilities below the ceiling framing. “We completely reworked the layout to create a proper, modest apartment that could function independently or as an extension of the house,” he explains. “We worked with our engineer to clean up the old ceiling framing, removing several dropped beams to create a clean ceiling.”

On the main floor, they reshaped the kitchen, which was originally poorly laid out and had some tired finishes. A built-in banquette and custom cabinets were installed.

The dining room had a wooden column in the middle of the space that made placing a dining table tricky, so they designed a custom steel “dogleg” column to better position the dining table.

Ian and team also made minor modifications to the layout of the existing main floor bathroom and bedrooms. A new plywood-clad open stairway was added, which leads to the new primary suite.

In the upper floor addition, Ian and team knew that the lofted space would feature beautiful lake views—the home is nestled between Lake Washington and a nature preserve. To capitalize on that opportunity, they were inspired to give it a tree house feel.

“Both the shape and the window placements were influenced by the mature trees on the site,” Ian says. “And even the material selections in the primary bathroom—sage greens, textures, and warm wood—were informed by being nestled amongst the trees.”

The finished home is a personality-filled, versatile space. It features so many interesting design details, yet it’s functional enough for the family. The ADU could be used for multigenerational living in the future.
And Ian is pretty sure the owners love it: “The best example is they recently got married and used their house as the venue.”
Photography: Rafael Soldi
meet the team
We’re inspired by diverse design perspectives, innovation, technology, art, and the world around us. We live for the chance to create and disperse powerful, genuine messages that resonate.
tessa franchini
principal
tessa@paxsonfay.com
Tessa graduated from Fordham University in New York with a dual bachelor's degree in Communications and Political Science. During her time at Fordham, she worked for an interior designer and at NBC News where she developed her love for both design and communications. After graduating, Tessa managed marketing at 3form, a pioneer in the sustainable building products industry. During her tenure, 3form was repeatedly named one of the most recognized manufacturers in the design industry among architects and designers, and the company won multiple awards for its innovative product launches. After 3form, Tessa consulted on marketing efforts with leading product manufacturers in architecture and design before starting Paxson Fay with Amy.
amy golden
principal
amy@paxsonfay.com
Originally from Seattle, Amy left her home in the Pacific Northwest to attend Fordham University, fulfilling her dream of living in New York City. After graduating with a BS in business administration, specializing in marketing and minoring in economics, Amy began her career in advertising sales at CNN and the Hallmark Channel in New York and LA. However, Amy’s love of writing, design, and connection with people ultimately led her to PR. While finishing her MBA back home at Seattle University, in 2015, Amy cofounded Paxson Fay with her friend and business partner, Tessa, driven by a shared vision to build a PR agency that reflected their values and passions. At Paxson Fay, Amy thrives in media relations and pitch development, enjoying the process of diving deep into each client’s story to craft compelling narratives that resonate with editors and journalists. Amy has a particular passion for architecture-focused projects, and securing SHED’s feature in The New York Times was an especially rewarding moment, as they were her first client. Another major career milestone was helping build out Paxson Fay’s talented team, fostering an environment where young professionals can grow their skills and pursue their passions. Outside of work, Amy loves spending time with her family, chasing after her two little boys, exploring Seattle’s restaurant scene, traveling with friends, and reading.
colby wood
account manager
colby@paxsonfay.com
After graduating from Fordham University in New York City with a major in Communications and Media Studies and a handful of marketing and PR internships, Colby moved to Boston to manage marketing for a small, women-owned, creative consulting agency. While in that role, Colby managed public relations and marketing efforts for some of Boston's most prominent events and public art initiatives, including the Boston Pickle Fair and The Bulfinch Crossing Projections in downtown Boston. Colby gained experience crafting brand stories and identities through social media marketing and creative copywriting, seen through the successful launch of a premier Massachusetts adult-use dispensary and the revamp of her agency's own website. After two years, Colby decided it was time to figure out what the West Coast was all about. Looking to blend her marketing experience with her passion for design and architecture, Colby found Paxson Fay, where she focuses on social media strategy and management and public relations.
paige childs
senior account executive + digital lead
paige@paxsonfay.com
As a child, Paige wanted to be an architect; but after falling in love with storytelling, the power of words, and yes, the show West Wing, she decided to pursue journalism at The George Washington University in the nation’s capital. Following graduation, Paige crafted communications for the beauty and banking industries. Craving space for creativity, she joined the small team that would reopen the congressionally designated National Children’s Museum. There, she played an integral role in establishing the museum’s brand, bringing it to life across digital channels, including social media, email, and advertising. After nearly eight years in DC, she decided it was time for a change of scenery. Having grown fond of the title Washingtonian, she made the cross-country move to Washington State. She landed in Seattle at Paxson Fay, where in true full circle fashion she is the architect of social media and public relations strategies for our architecture and design clients.
martina povolo
account executive
martina@paxsonfay.com
Martina joined the Paxson Fay team as an intern when she was a senior at the University of Washington. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Interest Communications, Martina is now continuing with the team as a Communications Assistant. During her time at UW, Martina worked as the Special Sections Editor at the university’s newspapers where she won multiple awards for her front page spreads. Looking to blend her minors in real estate and environmental science with her focus in communications, Martina is passionate and excited to join the Paxson Fay team.
tara lyons
account executive
tara@paxsonfay.com
With roots in Napa and Denver, Tara ventured to the Pacific Northwest to pursue her academic journey at the University of Washington, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Education. Tara's love for writing began when she delved into songwriting, building on her pre-existing passion for singing and playing the piano. Following her undergraduate years, she returned to Paxson Fay, where she had previously interned, transitioning into the role of Communications Assistant. With a keen interest in PR and social media, Tara seamlessly integrates her creative flair into the professional realm. Outside of work, you'll find Tara passionately supporting the Kraken, embodying her love for both storytelling and sports.
Jamie Paxton
Communications Assistant
jamie@paxsonfay.com
Growing up in the Bay Area, Jamie made her way to the Pacific Northwest to attend the University of Washington, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communications and Psychology. Jamie first joined the Paxson Fay team as an intern during her senior year at the University of Washington and is excited to continue her journey with the team as a Communications Assistant. With a passion for writing and social media, Jamie is excited to bring her creativity and unique perspective to the role. Outside of work, you can find Jamie exploring local restaurants or picking up a good book.
We are hiring for our internship program! We are looking for an intern with a passion for design to help manage key communication channels. Click here to read more.
what we do
We are a communications firm founded in our passion for good design. Our unique approach to marketing and public relations in the architecture and design community has elevated our clients work to the next level. We’re backed by a talented community of creatives. From copywriters to social media experts, we provide a complete package of customized services. We strive to create a personal experience with each client, integrating teams and tackling your biggest marketing and public relations challenges from a high level. Then we help execute those plans ensuring lots of reporting along the way, with lots of coffee breaks in between because we’re from Seattle and that’s what we do.
marketing
marketing strategy
brand strategy
project management
partnerships acquisition and management
e-mail blasts
public relations
media strategy
content production
media communications and outreach
awards: strategy, content development and submissions
social
platform strategy and management
content production
targeted campaigns
results + reporting
advertising
advertising strategy
budget strategy + negotiation
calendar management
creative coordination
content
storytelling
copywriting
website and e-mail marketing
video: sourcing, storyboarding and scheduling
photography acquisition + curation
events
event management
sponsorships + partnerships
tradeshow coordination
press tours
clients
Here is a little taste of who we love to work with and what we love to do.