Keith Miller, ASID, Client Wins "Best Preservation Practice" from Historic Seattle

SEATTLE, May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A beloved historic church building in need of TLC was given an audacious design scheme conceived and donated by one of the city's premier interior designers to win a major architectural award as it serves its diverse community.

Keith Miller, ASID, principal interior designer at Miller Interior Design accepted the award for "Best Preservation Practice" from Historic Seattle for his work in revitalizing Seattle Vineyard Church, which is listed as a Designated City of Seattle Landmark under its original name "University Methodist Episcopal Church." The award will be presented on May 14, 2013 at its Fifth Annual Preservation Awards.

Miller first encountered the aging church building in 2001 when he established a relationship with the community who jointly realized they had a blank canvas for Miller to literally paint a new image.

"I joined them in bringing vision into focus for the stewardship of the building and then to help structure the means for instilling that vision into the congregation and other stakeholders for long-term fundraising, planning and execution," he said of the pro-bono project.

"I believe in the great good this group is doing for the neighborhood and beyond. I wanted to contribute to their efforts with skills most natural to me. I saw that the historic facilities where they conduct their affairs matched my knowledge of design history. We were a perfect fit," said Miller who frequently helps lead volunteer organizations through the execution of event plans for fundraisers and celebrations.

Although his services were free, supplies and labor were not. Establishing a capital campaign for the celebration of the building's 100th year in 2007, the church raised funds over the years for four of the eight phases of the project through congregants, friends, neighbors and grants but came up short by $27,000 for the exterior refurbishment phase.

However, the remaining funds were raised in a stroke of deus ex machina like a scene straight out of a Hollywood movie. The City of Seattle needed easement rights to a small, 100 square foot corner of their property to help construct the new Seattle Light Link Rail tunnel through the University District neighborhood. The assessed value was the exact amount needed to green light the project.

The church, which is located at 4142 Brooklyn Avenue NE in Seattle's University District, along with a neighboring residential structure, 4138 Brooklyn Avenue NE -- formerly the original church's Parsonage, are listed as Designated City of Seattle Landmarks. They were constructed as a response to Seattle's urban expansion north of the city after the nationally acclaimed Alaska Yukon Pacific Exhibition transformed into the new campus for the University of Washington at the dawn of the last century. 

"The structure is a quintessential representation of its historic Edwardian Style and this commanded respect," said Miller.

The goal was to select a historically accurate scheme that honored both the Edwardian vernacular and the church's sense of place in today's neighborhood. The congregation's vibrant culture, which attracts globe trekkers, street youth, university students and faculty, and the typical cross-section of Seattle-based medical and technology world changers, inspired Miller to commemorate the building's checkered legacy in the community by inventing a hybrid design aesthetic which he humorously nick-named "World Beat Victorian Hippy," approved by stakeholders to great laughs.

"The inventive new color scheme really brought our building back to life, and like the original stained glass windows, it shows a vibrancy that is a true reflection of the neighborhood community," says Nicki Little, Seattle Vineyard board member.  "We are grateful for Keith's genius." 

Miller established three color schemes to present to the board after good counsel from Historic Seattle, careful research in Edwardian Style, field studies for scrape samples, surveys of the neighborhood and the many colorful inhabitants of the building both historically and at present. (In the 1980s and early 1990s the sanctuary was adapted for restaurant use and housed a Mongolian grill then an Irish Pub, complete with beer vats in the bell tower!)

The color scheme chosen features a vivid forest green and light gold trim with vermillion and violet accents. It highlights a refined measure of High Edwardian Style within the Victorian Era.

"It reflects the community's diverse and spirited past and present, and celebrates the unique features of both the architectural elements of the building and its lively inhabitants," said Miller.

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Other contractors who worked on the award-winning project include Seattle MC Painters, and Thomson Construction.

For information about Miller Interior Design, go to http://www.MillerInteriorDesign.com

SOURCE Miller Interior Design