4770 Ohio Ave S
Ste B
Seattle, WA 98134
info@paxsonfay.com
The homeowners bought adjacent land to build an outdoor dining space detached from their home for hosting barbecues for friends and neighbors

But in 2018, when the owner of the land that was used for parking listed it for sale, the couple saw an opportunity.
Ms. Flombaum is originally from Argentina and Mr. Mikkelsen is originally from Denmark. Mr. Mikkelsen had embraced Argentine culture during trips to visit Ms. Flombaum’s family. In particular, he fell for asado, the country’s traditional barbecue, and the ritual around it.
“I love cooking, and I had this dream of a beautiful, amazing Argentinean barbecue in the backyard,” said Mr. Mikkelsen, 48, where they could grill all day long for friends, family and neighbors.

The only proper place for that, said Ms. Flombaum, 51, would be as part of a quincho. “A quincho is an outdoor, detached dining space,” Ms. Flombaum said. “In Argentina, if you have a house, you’ll have a quincho; if you live in an apartment, you’ll have a quincho as part of the amenities. It’s such an ingrained part of the culture.”
Ms. Flombaum and Mr. Mikkelsen, who both work at Microsoft in Seattle, made an offer on the 5,000-square-foot adjacent property less than 24 hours after it was listed, and closed for $450,000 that August.

While many homeowners might have opted for an addition connected to their existing house, Ms. Flombaum and Mr. Mikkelsen made clear to the architecture firm they hired, DeForest Architects, that they wanted a separate structure with a dedicated kitchen and dining space.
“They’re just adventurous people who brought some really interesting cultural references to the table,” said John DeForest, a principal at DeForest Architects. “It was a chance for us, as designers, to reinterpret some familiar things,” he noted, including revisiting the question “What is a backyard?”
As the design began to take shape, Ms. Flombaum and Mr. Mikkelsen added a few more elements to their quincho.
“We thought, if we’re going to entertain, we should put in a bathroom,” Ms. Flombaum said, “so people don’t have to cross to our house.”


Then, she continued, “if we have a bathroom, why not have a bedroom so people could stay here?”
Mr. DeForest pointed out that they could also have a loft to serve as a home office and flexible second bedroom, which seemed like a good idea.
By the time they were finished, they had arrived at a design for a building of about 900 square feet, featuring a kitchen and dining area wrapped by sliding glass doors that open wide to the yard. Clad in corrugated steel and fiber cement panels, the building is designed to require minimal maintenance, Mr. DeForest said.

The couple added an aboveground swim spa from Endless Pools directly beside it, which can function as a hot tub or current-generating swimming pool, both for relaxing and amusing their daughter, Emma, 10.
To finish the interior, Ms. Flombaum called in her cousin, Mariana Flombaum, a Buenos Aires-based interior designer, who advised on materials, sleek cabinetry and a color scheme centered on various shades of gray along with natural wood tones. Together, they selected furniture and fixtures for the quincho, including large-scale smoked glass Tim pendant lamps from Bomma to suspend above the kitchen island from a ceiling lined in cedar planks.
The decision about which grill to install was, of course, critical. Through Ms. Flombaum’s brother, they found a Buenos Aires-based company named Magma, which specializes in traditional Argentine wood-fired grills.

Beside their Magma grill, they added a gas-fired model from DCS, for times when they require a speedier barbecue.
The couple worked closely with Dyna Builders to build the property’s structure, with Ms. Flombaum serving as the communication liaison between the couple’s contractors and Argentine contacts. One of the biggest challenges, said Gus Poole, the project manager at Dyna Builders, was weaving the structure between two protected sequoia trees.

“It was a game of inches,” Mr. Poole said, to position the quincho where the couple wanted it without the disturbing tree roots. The end result is a backyard with a built-in sense of age and beauty for both the owners and their neighbors.
To tie everything together, the couple worked with the landscape architecture firm SCJ Studio on gravel walkways and new plantings.
After beginning construction in January 2021, the quincho was complete nine months later, at a cost of about $1 million.
Since then, Ms. Flombaum and Mr. Mikkelsen have relished opening up their backyard to friends and neighbors.
“When we’re not busy, we send out an email on Thursday to everyone we know in the community and say ‘Barbecue this Saturday. Who’s in?’” Ms. Flombaum said, noting that her uncle in Argentina does the same thing.
“Whoever comes, comes,” she said. “Some people know each other, some people don’t, but it always ends up being super fun.”
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
senior account executive
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
account executive
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 coordinator
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 coordinator
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.
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.