Paxson Fay is a full-service marketing and public relations firm specializing in the architecture, design, and arts industries.
Paxson Fay
4770 Ohio Ave S
Ste B
Seattle, WA 98134
info@paxsonfay.com
SHED Architecture & Design’s Dyes Inlet on Dwell
Kirsten and Rick will be the first to admit that they’re not big entertainers. “If I had an avatar, she would be really into entertaining, but I only have me, and we really love our time alone,” Kirsten says. So, when the couple found this property on two waterfront acres in Silverdale, Washington, they planned to first remodel the existing 1930s brick house into a two-bedroom guesthouse for their family, and then add a separate primary residence for themselves, with a few extra bedrooms for good measure.
That way, in the off-chance that all 18 members of their family visit at once—including their five adult children, their children’s partners, and eight grandchildren between the ages of 6 and 23 (with another on the way)—the couple would be well-prepared.
The idea for the dual residences came from Prentis Hale, principal of SHED Architecture + Design, who suggested it as an alternative to demolishing and rebuilding (or remuddling) the original 1930s brick house to make it big enough for everyone. “I just hated the idea of tearing that house down,” says Kirsten. “Prentis talked about how the two houses would speak to one another instead.”
SHED Architecture + Design helped the owners of this two-acre property in Silverdale, Washington, develop a master plan. It involved remodeling the existing 1930s brick house into a two-bedroom guest house for their adult children, then building a second home for themselves (and more guests). A mudroom with a yellow Dutch door faces the brick house, as well as a walkway linking the two residences.
Kirsten and Rick’s property is a former oyster farm, and while the original house has some fancy brickwork, there are still several old, simply framed farmhouses in the area, says Kirsten. “We wanted something that would fit in with the neighborhood,” she says. To that end, Hale and the team drew up what they call a “strong gable shape” that was informed by their research into Scandinavian barn and farm buildings—an inspiration for Kirsten, who has grandparents from Sweden and Norway—with deep eaves to protect the house from inclement weather.
One of the gables roughly aligns with the roof of the brick house. “Our instinct was not to say, ‘Hey, this is a cool brick house with a gable. Now let’s put a round titanium sphere to the left of it,’” says Hale.
Kirsten and Rick’s property is a former oyster farm, and while the original house has some fancy brickwork, there are still several old, simply framed farmhouses in the area, says Kirsten. “We wanted something that would fit in with the neighborhood,” she says. To that end, Hale and the team drew up what they call a “strong gable shape” that was informed by their research into Scandinavian barn and farm buildings—an inspiration for Kirsten, who has grandparents from Sweden and Norway—with deep eaves to protect the house from inclement weather.
One of the gables roughly aligns with the roof of the brick house. “Our instinct was not to say, ‘Hey, this is a cool brick house with a gable. Now let’s put a round titanium sphere to the left of it,’” says Hale.
As for the home’s siting, even with two acres at play, there were constraints. “You show up and you’re like, ‘The world’s my oyster. We’ll put it anywhere,’” says Hale—no pun intended—but regulatory compliance with setbacks and the shoreline were critical. “For practical reasons, flooding is an issue on their site. We kept it out of the flood plain and lifted it up quite a bit. Even though it’s on grade, it’s about nine feet above the FEMA flood level.”
For the layout, the team came up with three potential plans, then used spray paint and string lines in the grass to walk Kirsten and Rick through each of them. The winner was a T-shape configuration, with the long leg allotted primarily to bedrooms and bathrooms. The junction at the middle holds the foyer and the front and back entries, while the main living spaces occupy the shorter leg.
The T-shape allowed Hale to create an entry courtyard sheltered from wind on the North side, as well as a second courtyard on the water side, buffered from the neighbor’s views by the house itself. “Then we made adjustments to tune it into the site,” says Hale.
The house incorporates passive design strategies, including a highly energy-efficient, over-insulated building envelope; a high-efficiency heat pump for heating and cooling paired with an energy recovery ventilator; and a substantial 17.2kW photovoltaic array.
Inside, double-height volumes alternate with lower ceilings to create a rhythm that runs from the living room—which has a woodburning stove with a dramatic, 24-foot-tall chimney stack—to cozy, more standard heights in the foyer and kitchen. There’s also a lofted flex space over the foyer, where Kirsten has an office (Rick’s is back in the brick house) and a room for practicing yoga.
The house has a primary suite and two guest rooms—one with a loft for the grandkids, and a second Rick uses as a meditation room. Since the couple moved in, their lives have expanded into the spaces created for them. “It’s made our lives richer,” says Kirsten.
The kitchen has alder cabinets topped with Ceaserstone counters. The Miele induction cooktop sits above a Miele Clean Touch Steam Oven.
The powder bathroom walls feature three-by-three-inch Fireclay tile in Sunflower.
“Whenever I’m finished in the kitchen, I‘m drawn to sit down at the table,” says Kirsten. “It’s just a little bit closer to the view.”
But the couple have also been surprised to find how much easier entertaining is, with groups flowing easily between the living and dining room, and the deck, which has an outdoor kitchen. “For people who don’t like to entertain a lot, there’s not that much we have to do because it’s just so pleasant being in the space,” says Kirsten. “That’s the gift. Then anything we manage to rustle up is icing on cake.”
The loft has two-by-two-inch vertical-grain Douglas fir pickets for guardrails.
Kirsten enjoys using the lofted flex space for yoga and meditation.
The primary bedroom has an extra-long window seat made of alder.
The primary bathroom has Concrete Collaborative’s Way Cooler tile on the floor, and two-by-eight-inch Fireclay tile in Caribbean on the walls. The custom vanity is made of alder with a Caesarstone counter.
There’s a built-in desk in one of the guest rooms.
The hall bathroom has Strands tile from Concrete Collaborative on the floor, and Fireclay two-by-eight-inch tile in Rosemary on the walls.
A path leads from the primary bathroom to the nearby sauna building, which is wrapped in the same cladding as the home.
When Rick is done working in his office in the brick house, he heads over to the sauna and cold plunge. “He is religious about using the sauna,” says Kirsten.
Floor plan of Dyes Inlet House by SHED Architecture & Design
Clients in the News
Main content
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.
Main content
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
Main content
clients
Here is a little taste of who we love to work with and what we love to do.
