Situated on a leafy avenue in Seattle’s Washington Park neighborhood, the home welcomes visitors though wrought iron gates into an entry court paved with stone and native plantings. A roof with deep overhangs caps the stately home, while earthly-hued stucco blends the house in with its surroundings. Built in 1987, the house was purchased by a couple ready to transition from the home where they raised their four boys, now adults. Their priorities had shifted from a plan that accommodated the whole family to an open home designed for entertaining and hosting guests.
A bright entry foyer greets visitors with a glimpse of the panoramic views beyond while a custom-designed bench and a curated selection of the owner’s artwork provide a pop of color against a neutral palette.
The interior layout of the home was reconfigured into an open plan, with living spaces arranged to benefit from natural light and views offered by the house’s perch above Lake Washington. Connection to the exterior is enhanced though corner windows, skylights, and expansive operable glass doors.
A new seating area with an outdoor fireplace and fountain create a second living space outside.
Even on grey Seattle days, white walls throughout the home reflect light to create a luminous environment.
Interior and exterior detailing relate to each other through a semi-circular stair railing and leaded glass cabinet doors recalling the wrought iron railing outside.
Casework and trim add depth, texture and continuity to the rooms while pale walls and soft white trim keep the interiors light and airy.
SHKS worked with the owners to create a cohesive interior atmosphere within the home, incorporating an extensive array of both custom-designed and carefully selected furniture, window coverings, rugs, and lighting.
The formal living room is anchored by the home’s original fireplace. Custom-covered Colonette chairs in ‘Soleil’ Yellow and a Macassar Ebony cocktail table offset the neutral palette. Built-in casework provides a backdrop for an eclectic arrangement of objects collected over years of travel.
