BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON

This transformation shows how an understanding of context and scale can help transform a typical, but rather boring ‘builder’ home into a beautiful, light-filled, airy space. This home had good bones to begin with, but it also had a few problems: 1) the home is located on a corner lot facing an undeveloped area of land and the home did not take advantage of the light or views.  2) The windows, molding, and other details were far too small for this huge entry space. Tiny trim, a chair rail that didn’t work well in a room with 18′ ceilings, a small fireplace surround, and a standard size front door all looked out of scale. 3) The existing space had bland finishes and 4) poor lighting. All of these problems added up to a poorly proportioned and boring space.

Adding two large windows to the south facade, flanking the fireplace flooded the room with natural light and broke up a large expanse of drywall. Larger and thicker trim was added and a window sill carried around the space divides large drywall surfaces and brings your eye up. Detail was added to the ceiling to break up the space, and provide a place for two custom lanterns to be mounted. The design continued into the family room, dining room, and office.

With Melanie Gilroy Wright, Interior designer