Mysest56 
October 7, 2019
Whenever these homeowners bought their land on the west coast of Seattle’s Lake Washington several years back, they knew they’d scored the equivalent of a winning lottery ticket, as a result of the viewpoints and vacation vibe of the house and neighborhood.
When it came time to remodel, the few called in architect Jim Castanes to provide the house a little refresher, really merely to polish up the pieces. “We were all going into this job thinking it was likely to be relatively small,” says Castanes, “however …” He looks to project manager Alev Seymen, who laughs and completes the sentence: “We all had too much fun with the ideas we had been coming up with.”
The group expanded the house, modernized its style and maximized the possibility of each of its three levels to take complete advantage of the lake views and the whole lot’s narrow size.
Castanes Architects PS
The clients loved the home’s previous conventional style but were searching for something more contemporary without heading ultramodern. Castanes bridged the gap using a transitional style that features cedar siding and Milestone, an integral-colored, cement-based material that goes on smooth for a Venetian-plaster-type finish. Plenty of new glazing, such as bifold windows, concentrate on the lake and the landscaped gardens.
Decks on each level facilitate an indoor-outdoor connection.
The lower degree was designed for entertaining. A kitchenette extends out to a concrete and barbecue bar. Lawn pavers salvaged in the previous picture were used to make a patio covered by a retractable canvas. The pavers form a path within the terraced lawn to the lake.
The sloped roof leads rainwater via a 6-inch powder-coated-steel pipe right into a trellis fountain. The water flows into a small creek along the garden before it is collected in two subterranean 1,500-gallon cisterns for irrigation.
Railroad lanterns: classic, clients’ own
Castanes Architects PS
Along with being a green component, the water feature creates a lovely ambiance for your garden and neighboring rooms. “The house is close to a floating bridge, which is loud,” says Castanes. “This mitigates those sounds using a far more pleasant white sound.”
Castanes Architects PS
While the garden is all about observing the perspectives and the guests, the front lawn is more demure. “The street is busy with pedestrians and visitors,” says Seymen. “In response to this, we gave the entrance plenty of privacy.”
The proportions of this front are scaled down to a pedestrian level. The translucent garage door lighting up the driveway at night. Copper shingles in the preceding structure were used for the roof.
Castanes Architects PS
A Cor-Ten steel gate with Mondrian-style laser cuts creates visual interest as well as purpose. The lines were carefully positioned at the clients’ (and their puppy’s) eye levels so everybody can see who is at the door before opening it.
Once inside the house, guests are greeted by warm oak information, such as an exposed stairs.
The landing, initially intended as the puppy’s place, was reconsidered within a romantic gathering area. Raw steel benches were formed from a planter. Cast-glass guardrails play into the weighty feel. “But do not worry,” says Castanes, laughing. “We found that the dog another good spot.”
The see-through fireplace, featuring a Milestone surround, divides the living and dining rooms. Matching chairs were inherited by the lady of the home’s mother. They had been reupholstered to match the new furnishings.
Since the guy of the house is tall, so Castanes gave him just as much elevation as the space could provide by opening the joist space. Together with the tall windows and endless perspectives, it gives the room an airy feel.
Half of the long living room is dedicated to a media room, delineated symbolically by a tall, skinny window that drops in line with the ceiling beams. Subsequently, the placement of the beams determined the starting and end points of the fireplace surround.
The press room has a more masculine library feel. The man of the house and his cherished dog enjoy a good read or a match on TV here.
The dining room, situated on the second floor, offers stunning views of the lake.
Chairs: Donghia
Bifold doors bring the outside in the dining room.
The kitchen, also on the second floor, was designed to permit decent flow and interaction between the guests and cook. “The island gives the viewer a view of what’s occurring, although the chef has unfettered access to the sink, stove, ovens and refrigerator,” clarifies Seymen.
Again, because the man of the house is tall — and also an avid home chef, too — Castanes used a retractable hood to guard his mind from knocking.
Countertops, waterfall edge: Carrara marble; hood: Miele
In the chef’s perspective, the kitchen workstation holds a trove of goodies that the island stepped ledge keeps hidden from the guests’ view.
The master bedroom, on the top layer, makes good use of the roof slope to create an elegant effect. The tall ceiling and big east-facing windows allow the picturesque landscape add color to the area’s soothing neutral palette.
The master bathroom evokes the feeling of a spa with its calming colors, abundance of natural light and smooth rock surfaces.
The lower level is where it is at throughout the summertime. The family room opens to the gardens by way of a dinette area. The vent-free fireplace has no nasty side that could have been visible in the side yard and from the neighboring neighbor.
A built-in divider gives a visual separation between the family room and the dinette-kitchenette, as well as a guardrail to help guests migrate through the bilevel room.
Though the living space is carpeted, the dinette-kitchenette flooring is constructed from integral-colored concrete to offer muddy feet (or paws) a opportunity to be cleaned until they get to the carpeting.
Adjacent to the dinette, kitchentte and family room, the home’s wine cellar is always carried to maintain parties festive. The protected doors have been salvaged from a local bank. A bistro table and chair set offers a handy place for choosing wines for the next celebration.
Although the few believed their former house was a winner, they’re even happier with the new result. Guess it is likely to win the lottery twice.