SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

We’ve always believed that the funkiest homes are located in West Seattle, and this house was no exception. It is hard to imagine why a large ‘spa’ bathroom with a huge soaking tub, jetted shower, and sauna was needed next to the dining room and kitchen in this West Seattle home.  Needless to say, the owner didn’t need a bathroom like this, in this location. Instead, they wanted a sitting room adjacent to the kitchen, a small powder room, a work space, and a combined pantry / laundry room.

While the project didn’t include much exterior work, we started by replacing a poorly constructed skylight with a new, custom built unit. We located the skylight above a new custom designed desk, that when open serves as a functional workspace, but when closed hides the clutter below, and allows the top to be used as a buffet.  Flanking the office space is a small powder room and a pantry (also with a skylight). To save having to lug the laundry to the basement utility room, the owner requested we incorporate a stacking laundry machine in the pantry.

We paid special attention to choosing materials that better tied into the existing home. New steel beams match an existing steel staircase. We revised the fireplace surround, designing one side to respond to the adjacent living room, and then designing the opposite side using reclaimed wood with a fir ‘screen’.