Laurelhurst Haven: Layered Colors and Cozy Character
The charming Laurelhurst neighborhood of Seattle boasts tree-lined streets, a cozy suburban feel and stunning views of Lake Washington—all within an arm’s reach of the picturesque University of Washington campus and city center. Our clients top request was that we stay true to the vintage character of their 1946 home, while incorporating thoughtful updates that wouldn’t feel too modern. With this in mind, we set out to design a home that felt vibrant and refreshed, while preserving the cozy character of the house and its Laurelhurst setting.
Kitchen Reno: From Start to Finish
After getting to know our clients’ personal style and needs, one of the first steps in our design process is to craft a storyboard of materials and finishes. This helps both our team and the client visualize how all the elements will come together. Once we’ve refined the storyboard internally, we present it alongside physical samples so the client can see and touch the materials.
Kitchen Storyboard
Here we are in the next phase of our design process—shopping with our clients at Meta Marble for their kitchen countertops. We love giving clients the opportunity to see, feel, and compare stone slabs in person!
Selecting slabs with our client
In the final phase, we focus on the details—custom inset Shaker cabinetry, updated lighting, plumbing, and hardware. We layered in wood tones, marble, and playful window treatments to give the space a warm, lived-in feel. The island was custom designed with a black walnut base and topped with the Calacatta marble slab our clients had selected.
Kitchen Island: Conception to Completion
Kitchen Before
After all the hard work is done, it’s always rewarding to look back at the before and after—seeing the transformation come to life is one of the most gratifying parts of the process.
Kitchen Before & After
Dining Room
We wanted to add built-in cabinetry to the dining room that could both store and display our clients’ China collection. To draw on the vintage character of the home, the custom built-in incorporated black soapstone, an antiqued mirror backsplash and leaded glass cabinet doors.
We sourced the rug from Driscoll Robbins and, much like our marble-shopping process, brought our finishes and fabric swatches to the showroom to see how everything would come together. We love how the rug not only pulled in colors from the kitchen but also introduced unique patterns.
Powder Room
Adjacent to the kitchen, the downstairs powder room extends the home’s design narrative. We echoed the kitchen’s pendant with a matching fixture, installed a classic subway‑tile wainscot by Ann Sacks, and enlivened the walls with a playful botanical wallpaper by Zak & Fox. A petite concrete washbasin in blue completes this charmingly compact space.
This Laurelhurst haven was a true gem to design. From selecting materials to refining every detail, we loved collaborating with our clients to bring their vision to life! Learn more about our Laurelhurst Residence.