Walking through the front door, you’re met by western light and the shifting mood of Lake Washington—sometimes calm and reflective, sometimes rippled under gray skies and rain. Either way, the view has a grounding quality, inviting a pause to take in the quiet beauty of the lake and the Seattle skyline beyond.

This remodel—our second project for this family of four—focuses on strengthening that connection to the outdoors while creating generous spaces for gathering and entertaining. Working within budget, we concentrated the renovation on the home’s west wing of the existing 4,100 SF L-shaped split-level, while reworking the exterior with a new roofline, entry sequence, and expanded deck and patio.

Like many homes of its era, the original structure had low eaves, limited ceiling heights, small windows, and compartmentalized rooms. The design opens the plan, raises ceilings, and draws in light and views, with the kitchen repositioned at the center of the main living space.

This central kitchen anchors daily life—cooking, eating, and gathering in one shared space. Outside, a new elevated concrete patio, a custom glass and steel stair, and an ipe upper deck extend the home into the landscape, creating seamless connections to the backyard and views from every level.