Magic in Madrona Park: Preserving a Seattle Landmark Through Thoughtful Design
Nestled in Seattle’s Madrona Park neighborhood, this magical home was designed by architect Ellsworth Storey in 1909 and designated a Seattle Landmark in 1979. Our team instantly fell in love with this home’s original details, from the tulip cut-outs in the woodwork to the beamed ceilings and granite fireplace. Our vision was to honor and preserve these historic elements while introducing thoughtful updates to the kitchen, butler’s pantry, living room, primary bathroom, and powder room.
Kitchen at Madrona Park
Kitchen
Our additions included Calacatta marble countertops and backsplash, inset cabinetry, hand-made floor tiles, and brass hardware—elements we felt would pair beautifully with the home’s existing historic details. The color palette is rich and warm, accentuated by bold, saturated wallpaper and a deep green cabinet color that reflects both the home’s character and its Madrona Park surroundings. Because the butler’s pantry and kitchen connect, we designed them in tandem to ensure the two spaces feel cohesive and harmonious.
Schematic design plans for the Kitchen & Butler’s Pantry
Swipe to see the original kitchen layout before our renovations!
Butler’s Pantry
Many historic homes from the twentieth century feature original butler’s pantries, which are becoming increasingly popular today. We often like to revive these spaces as an extension of the kitchen—a versatile area where we can introduce color and bold design choices while providing functional storage for serveware, small appliances, and extra prep space for our clients.
Butler’s Pantry at Madrona Park
We introduced a bold wallpaper to complement the kitchen cabinetry and original wood millwork, adding color and vibrancy to the space. The same marble from the kitchen was used for the countertop, backsplash, and additional shelving, creating an extra prep area. Brass latches and glass knobs were added to the cabinets, carefully selected to harmonize with other original elements throughout the home, such as brass switch plates and light fixtures. The hex hand-made tile floor from the kitchen was continued into the Butler’s Pantry to create a connection between the two spaces.
Living Room
Our goal was to highlight the original living room’s distinctive details, including the granite fireplace, wood beams and millwork, and the intricate woodwork on the windows and doors. At the same time, we aimed to introduce modern, youthful furnishings and style to the space. Fabrics and textures were carefully chosen to keep the palette cozy and inviting, and the lighting was updated to complement the new furnishings.
Cozy Living Room at Madrona Park
Swipe to see the original space before the furnishings were updated!
Powder Room
For the powder room renovation, our goal was to introduce fresh patterns, textures, and color while maintaining a cohesive connection to the rest of the home. We started by selecting a blue ceramic subway tile for the wainscoting and backsplash, accented with a marble liner that creates a clean transition to the playful wallpaper above. For the flooring, we selected a penny mosaic tile to introduce contrast against the other shapes and pattern scales in the design. To ensure the room felt both unique and connected to the home’s overall aesthetic, we added pendant lighting and a wood-framed mirror—details that echo design elements found throughout the rest of the interior.
Schematic design storyboard for the Powder Room
Powder Room at Madrona Park
Primary Bathroom
For the primary bathroom, we preserved the original color palette and overall layout while upgrading the finishes to bring in modern functionality and style. The existing walk-in shower was replaced with a tub-shower combination, wrapped in beautiful blue subway tile that extends across the wainscoting, backsplash, and all the way to full height within the shower. We swapped the wall-mounted sink for a clean, modern vanity to conceal plumbing and added a marble shelf that caps the wainscot—a nod to the detailing found in the home’s original bathroom. Marble accents continue throughout the space on the tub ledge, countertop, and herringbone-patterned floors, creating a more cohesive and elevated look.
After and before renovations of the Primary Bathroom at Madrona Park
From its beautiful Seattle setting to its rich history and original architectural features, there is so much we love about this Madrona Park residence. We were honored to be a part of the renovation and preservation of such a lovely home!
To explore more homes like Madrona Park, visit us at tammarastroud.com.