Amy Tibbals and Kerri Fukui assessed off the top three must-haves on their home purchasing list when they bought this converted storefront in Utah: Open, bright and easy. “We walked in to clean, white walls; large ceilings; unfinished concrete floors and a dynamite kitchen, and we’re like, ‘OK, yes. Sold,'” says Tibbals.
Developer Geoff Tice remodeled the house, which was once a mom-and-pop grocery store, meat market and bookshop. He added glowing heating and energy-efficient windows, creating an perfect clutter-free decorating canvas for Tibbals, an editor in City Home Collective and Fukui, a manager and purchaser in a snowboard shop. “Our enthusiasm right now lies in the fact that we discovered a construction we adore, and that we make to do all these thoughts that will make it feel like our perfect space,” Fukui says.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Amy Tibbals and Kerri Fukui
Location: Fairpark neighborhood of Salt Lake City
Size: 1,300 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
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“Neither of us cares for any level of clutter, nor are we attracted to dim spaces, so that it works really well,” says Tibbals. The floor-to-ceiling frosted glass wall has energy-efficient, low-emissivity, argon-gas-filled windows. “The space is pretty much flooded with natural light, so we sorta lucked out there,” she says. “Really, the house has been designed in such a manner which not only speaks to a natural, minimalist design, but sort of needs it; there aren’t lots of corners or nooks to fill in this house, and we prefer it that way.”
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“Facing east, it is absolutely full of bright sunshine in the evenings, which makes pretty toasty however is a lovely thing to wake around,” says Tibbals. “it is a great area to see in or have a cup of coffee.”
Chair: Milan 2-Piece Sectional, Lofgren’s; arc lamp: Green Ant; round table:Teak Side Table,Brook Farm General Store; windows: Serious Windows, Heliocentric
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Tibbals and Fukui worked through several possibilities from the layout of the primary living space. “With the kitchen lining the whole south wall, we had any questions over whether we should split the space into living and kitchen in a more obvious manner — say, with a very long, narrow table which may also function as additional counter space,” says Tibbals. “Ultimately we hated that idea, as the kitchen is actually an art piece of its own — with the timber and the apron-front farm sink. It is a fantastic view to get from the sofa.”
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Tibbals and Fukui’s friend, Laura Naylor, photographed this large black and white portrait of a man who worked in the Great Wall of China. “He was laughing in her attempt to speak Chinese, which can be kind of cool to know. He adds a genuine bit of happiness to the room,” says Fukui.
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Tibbals says they’re still deciding about the best place to get a table. “We want to avoid having too many large pieces in the 1 space, so it is kind of a practice in visualization,” she says. For now they generally eat out if the weather is nice or in the coffee table in the living area.
The floor is concrete and has glowing heating.
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Previous owners had remodeled the house before Tibbals and Fukui moved in. The developer, Geoff Tice, is behind the layout and finishes.
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“We’re newbies in the space — it has not even been a year since we bought it — so we’re still waist deep in thoughts and eventual additions that’ll put a more personal stamp on it,” says Tibbals. “That said, it feels just like ours, because the layout speaks so well to how we would like to live and serves as a daily practice in function and simplicity.” The main bedroom exemplifies that philosophy.
Bedspread: Cotton Sheet, Brook Farm General Store; bed: custom, Patrick Davis Design
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Tibbals and Fukui believe that everyone should feel a sense of calm and comfort at home, and they’re excited about all they could do to their space to constantly attain this sense. The guest bedroom is outfitted in mostly neutral colours and yet another black and white art piece.
Office desk: Tyler Millard Tuft, Walger and Millard Design
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The bedroom doubles as an office. A golden pothos blossom sits on the clerestory window. The frosted glass door contributes to a patio and a detached two-car garage.
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“A large want for us in locating a house was a garden and lawn of our own, so we’re thrilled to have it,” says Fukui (at left). She and Tibbals (at right) credit their close buddy Cody Derrick, Realtor, designer and founder of City Home Collective, for assisting them locate this particular home.
“A barbecue and glass of wine in the backyard with friends is a top-shelf day for us, and growing our own food has been vastly important. We’d ultimately like for our whole yard to be shrouded in green, make sure it plants, veggies, vines or trees,” says Tibbals.
Exterior paint: Day Hush, Behr
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