Sponsor highlight: Giving new life to historic house in Seattle’s Greenlake neighborhood

This 1914 Greenlake residence was totally transformed and repurposed, giving new life to the historic house. The home-owner’s plans emphasised sustaining the architectural character, whereas updating all the construction to satisfy their household’s modern-day wants. Aesthetics had been vital to the girl of the home, who was energetic within the picks of millwork, finishes and colours. Whereas her accomplice prioritized his choices to create an open ground plan and enrich his hobbies of bartending, cooking and entertaining.

Balancing their needs and wishes inside the deliberate funds was difficult. We had been in the midst of the renovation when the pandemic hit, throughout full-throttle building. With this rework being “unessential,” the delay to our schedule derailed our completion date. Fortunately, utilizing strict security protocols, our staff stayed wholesome and made up time utilizing digital inspections and video conferences to our benefit.

The primary ground was reframed and seismic and structurally retrofitted. With partitions, the first-floor rooms grew to become cohesive and practical. The chef’s kitchen features a sizeable walk-in pantry, and loads of countertop area and storage. Within the eating room, the beam is enclosed, concealing the mechanical and structural modifications. To maintain the historical past of the house alive, the bench seats had been rebuilt, and the hearth stays rustic with present built-in cabinets.

Doorways changed home windows in the lounge and so they now open onto the newly rebuilt porch, increasing entertaining area and enhancing the biophilic design.

By enclosing the higher porch dormer, the first bed room was enlarged. New home windows had been put in, enhancing the view of the lake from the room.

New stairs and railings lead upstairs, the place all three bedrooms had been reframed to incorporate flex/workspace. An upstairs laundry room was added, vital for this contemporary family. Beneath the steps, a custom-built nook simply conceals storage. The flexibility to hide work, together with easy-to-maintain supplies, guided many design choices for this household.

The outside options new rear deck, siding, home windows, doorways and trim, styling chosen to duplicate the house’s historic allure. The entrance porch’s new lined deck is embellished with new posts, entrance door and ornamental millwork.

When prices skyrocketed, the first toilet rework was sacrificed to satisfy the funds. Lately, they’ve requested us again to complete their ensuite bathtub.

In any rework, particularly one with such historical past, success is contingent upon the outcomes. This repurposed house meets this household’s trendy wants whereas sustaining its allure and integrity.

— By Melissa Irons, Irons Brothers Building