Meet the neighbors

I introduced myself to the new neighbors down the street at 11804 9th Avenue NW. I met Madeleine and Ryan and their young daughter. They are just moving in over Memorial Day weekend.

Redfin says the house was 890 SF when they bought it in 2010, but Ryan says it's now 2900, including the basement. Madeleine's mother acted as general contractor. I gave her my contact information; I'd really like to talk to the mom.

Madeleine said their neighbor to the north, Mary, was from the family that homesteaded the whole area (my record shows that the 890 was the first house on the block, like 1939).

The house is very nicely done--wood casement windows with the same Craftsman trim that we did in Johnson. The kitchen, dining, living area is all laminate floor designed to look like recycled barn siding. Not sure it's the best choice, but they cleverly used it on the kitchen island (the back of the cabinets, where children's feet will kick). The railing at the stairs is also very nice--gray powder-coated steel with wire mesh squares and a stained wood handrail. They have a back den that could be another bedroom with a pass-thru bathroom, and a mother-in-law unit downstairs. They don't seem to have a garage anymore.

I like the interior colors they chose, mostly a slightly warm gray, with a narrow panel of very dark blue near the kitchen.