Magnolia View Home

On top of a long list of dreams for the project, there was a complex puzzle of space-planning to solve. An iterative process sensitive to the homeowner’s concerns and goals yielded a fresh take on the space, flipping the floor plan, adding a second-story primary suite, and reconnecting the interior and exterior spaces.

A key goal was to create better flow throughout the home’s living areas, especially to enhance the view experience and improve connectivity; however, the home’s central staircase had to be kept in place, making some options for reconfiguring the main floor out of the question. Instead, by moving the home’s front entry, we were able to optimize the layout, shifting rooms for better flow and connection. This also elevated the home’s street presence and articulated a sense of arrival.

The kitchen was expanded into the space that was once a compartmentalized dining room. The dining room and living room now share space and have direct access to the kitchen instead of being cordoned off on the other side of the entry.

The updated home offers a soft-modern feel, reminiscent of a relaxed, island vibe: understated luxury that fits into daily life but still feels like a vacation.

The homeowners specifically wanted to maintain a homey feeling — nothing too harsh, nothing too austere. This presented a unique challenge, as the home was full of angles, from the walls to the roof pitches. These elements are made more gentle by the selection of soft paint colors, natural stone with movement, and the abundant natural light that now diffuses through the space.

Moments of flair and drama make statements throughout, most noticeably in the home’s fireplaces. With no fireplaces before the remodel, the new living room, family room, and bedroom fireplaces are celebrated as centerpieces, clad in natural stone and integral to those spaces’ dual senses of opulence and ease.

Throughout the home, the interior design of the finishes and fixtures leans into a rich palette of textural grays in natural materials, punctuated with the higher contrast of black and white elements. This neutral base accented with intricate tile patterning and statement light fixtures was designed to serve as a soothing backdrop for the color, curves, and coziness layered in with the art, furniture, and other interior accents. In each room, the decorative lighting fixtures are key elements selected to not only be functional and beautiful, but to blend with the details of each space harmoniously.

In the kitchen, a colorful vintage rug helps to soften the visual ”edge“ of the strong black and white contrast. The earthy tones of the local art in the foyer help make a visitor’s first steps into the home more inviting. In the front sitting room, a large contemporary art piece with pops of neon and the bright splash of a curry-colored throw blanket add drama to the soft neutrals and warm grays of the space. On the new deck off the breakfast nook, a truly relaxing suite of outdoor furniture reflects the palette of the interior sitting room, with added texture, pattern and color.

In the family room, subtle curves in the furniture help to balance out the hard geometric elements, such as the fireplace and exposed beams above. Large and colorful art with subtle movement gives the overall space a light and airy vibe, and helps tie the colors of the furniture together cohesively.

Upstairs, an addition allowed two bedrooms and a bathroom to be transformed into two en suites for maximum flexibility. The primary suite went through several layouts to accommodate the addition of a bathroom and walk-in closet. A tight squeeze turned into a blessing in disguise, challenging us to find creative ways to create a sense of lightness and spaciousness despite lower ceilings and angled eaves dropping into the space.

The primary bathroom makes the most of its square footage with a curbless shower, built-in bench seating, and ample storage, including a narrow, recessed cabinet by the vanity, which makes clever use of every available bit of space in a compact room. Stunning, geometric tile patterning with intricate mosaic layout in the bathrooms not only offers visual appeal, but additional texture and traction underfoot.

Outside, the once cut-off backyard had seemed like an afterthought, and the pool (a rarity in Seattle) was rarely used. Additionally, the family room, where the homeowners spent most of their time relaxing, didn’t relate to backyard space, distancing them even more from actively engaging with the pool area. Now, the family room’s former sliding doors are replaced with a full-wall-width accordion door that retracts to create a wide opening to the pool area, blending the indoor and outdoor rooms.

This simple, yet effective change wholly connects the family room to the outdoors so both spaces can be enjoyed more fully. Meanwhile, the new decks at the front of the house — one off the breakfast nook and one off the primary suite — create even more usable outdoor space for relaxation.

One of the most impactful changes made to the home is the reconfigured entry sequence. The original, 1950’s entry was tucked around the side of the home. In this location, it not only felt distant from the street and confusing to navigate, but it cut off the living room space, leaving it feeling disconnected from the rest of the home.

We bumped out the entry into the front yard, brought the front door to the street side of the house, and added a series of floor-to-ceiling windows to bring in more natural light. These changes celebrate the home’s view of Puget Sound and make the front entry more navigable for guests and visitors, while still preserving a privacy and coziness.

With the Puget Sound view now taking center stage and stunning interiors that feel just like home, these homeowners can fully enjoy their house both inside and out, for years to come.