Twin Peaks Day 2020 commemorates the day Laura Palmer’s body was found on a rocky beach by Blue Pine Lodge in 1989. It’s also a good day to revisit the episode that started it all – the Twin Peaks Pilot which aired on April 8, 1990. For this Then & Now article, I return to Laura’s house in Everett, Washington for a look at interior scenes from that first episode.
THE PALMER HOUSE IN EVERETT, WASHINGTON
Located at 708 33rd Street in Everett, Washington, this private residence was used for interior scenes in the Pilot. The home’s exterior for Seasons 1 and 2 was a home in Monroe, Washington. The crew returned to use the exterior and interiors again for Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me and Season 3 on Showtime.
I first visited the home in August 1996 when my best friend Joe and I stumbled upon it while driving around Everett. We stayed a few extra days after the 1996 Twin Peaks Fan Fest and drove to Everett after hearing the home was located there. I couldn’t believe we found it by accident. I still recall my excitement as we turned down the street and saw the home in the distance. We took a handful of photos outside and left.
THE REAL MRS. TREMOND – MARY REBER
Thanks to my fellow Bookhouse Boy Aaron Cohen, we drove to the home on September 13, 2019 during my first return trip to Seattle in 23 years.
The wonderful Mary Reber, who you may recognize as Mrs. Tremond from Part 18 on Showtime, lives in the house now. I nearly fainted when she answered the door and asked if I’d like to go inside. Words can’t express my gratitude for her hospitality.
If you are interested in taking a tour of this location, please check out VisitPalmerHouse.com. Mary Reber (Mrs. Tremond in Twin Peaks Part 18) owns the house and has created a variety of tour packages showcasing this historic Everett, Washington home.
Now for the comparison images. These photos are different from what will be found in my article for Blue Rose Magazine Issue 13 coming this April. If you haven’t ordered a copy, stop reading and CLICK HERE.
THE KITCHEN AT THE PALMER HOUSE
There are only a handful of interior scenes used in the Pilot Episode with most appearing toward the beginning. The Palmer’s kitchen has been remodeled since the Pilot. Yes, that is cherry pie on the counter.
THE CEILING FAN AT THE PALMER HOUSE
For the ceiling fan, I created this short video that combines both the fan and Laura Palmer’s bedroom. Dialogue and music come from the Pilot Episode.
LAURA PALMER’S BEDROOM
The camera then pans Laura’s bedroom from left to right as Sarah now frantically tries to find her daughter.
The obvious difference is the placement of the bed but most of the room (window frames, etc). appears similar to the Pilot.
BOB HIDING
There is some additional footage of BOB hiding in Laura’s bedroom that appears in both the International Pilot and Seasons 1 and 2.
At the end of the International Pilot, Sarah has a vision of BOB hiding at the end of Laura’s bed.
A closer take from this scene is used in Episode 1001 when Sarah has a vision while Donna Hayward visits. An owl is superimposed over BOB’s face in 2002. All the other Palmer house interiors from the first two seasons were shot on a set in Van Nuys, California.
CEILING FAN CLOSE-UP
Before Twin Peaks, had anyone else ever shown a ceiling fan’s spinning blades on television. Beyond rememberable and shrouded in such mystery. You can read more about the Ceiling Fan appearances in this Setting the Stage article.
There are two fans pictured in this photograph (thank you, Aaron!).
SARAH PALMER’S PHONE CALLS
Unable to find Laura at home, Sarah places several phone calls while in her kitchen. If this was made today, I suppose she would send text messages to multiple people.
LIVING ROOM AT THE PALMER HOUSE
Following the revelation of Laura’s death, we see Sarah Palmer being attended to by Doctor Hayward while being questioned by Sheriff Truman. I love that Mary has a framed photo of Laura and green glass jar on the side table just like the episode.
Surreal is the only way to describe my entire night at the Palmer House. I seriously can’t thank Mary enough for letting me explore.
This scene also contains a mysterious character named Janice Hogan. See more about her in this article.
A reverse angle shot of the Living Room. Sheriff Truman sat on the couch that will appear at the end of the episode.
A closer shot of Sarah Palmer and Doctor Hayward along with the cropped image to almost match.
RETURN TO LAURA’S BEDROOM
Sarah hears people upstairs in Laura’s bedroom. It’s Leland Palmer and Deputy Hawk going through Laura’s things.
DOOR HANDLE TO LAURA PALMER’S BEDROOM
One detail that I absolutely love is the door handle to Laura’s bedroom. We see it when Leland is sitting on her bed and briefly in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me when Laura returns home from the Double R Diner.
From what I can tell, the door handles to Laura’s bedroom in Mary’s home appear to be exactly the same!
DEPUTY ANDY BY THE BATHROOM
Did you know that the door behind Deputy Andy Brennan leads to a bathroom?
It’s the same bathroom where Laura Palmer washes her hands after being berated by her father in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. Yes, I washed my hands when I was there.
SARAH PALMER’S VISION IN THE LIVING ROOM
At the end of the Pilot, Sarah Palmer wakes up screaming after having a vision while resting on the couch. The fact that BOB’s (Frank Silva) reflection in the mirror makes this ending one of the best. I think I saw him during my visit too.
THANK YOU, MARY!
I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. Thank you Mary for giving me a tour of your lovely home. Please remember this is a private residence, so please be respectful if you are in the area. This reminder includes anyone who wants to scream at the house while standing on the street … yes, it happens. Don’t be that person.
Happy Twin Peaks Day!
