A Designer Couple Build a Dream Home That Takes Indoor/Outdoor Living to the Next Level
Having lived in West Seattle since 2007, John and Denise Schack knew the area well. Still, it took the pair behind Revolve Development—he’s an architect, and she’s an interior designer—two years of searching to find the perfect spot to build their own home.
"When we stumbled upon this one, we knew immediately that it was going to work for us," says John. The existing house on this particular lot was pushed to the far north edge, about two feet from the neighboring property, which left them a large expanse of yard to play with. "That in itself was unique and allowed us to extend the building envelope in a manner more parallel to the sound and view," says the architect.
Before: The existing house on this West Seattle lot was pushed to one side, leaving plenty of green space for designers John and Denise Schack to work with.
The new build, the L-shaped Beach Drive House, incorporates the old structure.
A rear view of the home shows how the old structure is wrapped in corrugated Cor-Ten steel, marking it as an "artifact of the site," as John describes. The new residence gently slopes away from the neighboring house rather than towering over it.
Extending the envelope out, rather than building up, was essential to the design. "What you see a lot of in West Seattle, because of the view and properties being up on a slope, is that they go tall," says Denise. "There are a lot of three-story homes. We knew we wanted something that was more indoor/outdoor and permeable."
The couple created that permeability by having the main living spaces—the kitchen, dining, and living room—form an L-shape that wraps the yard and looks out to the view. Broad glass doors then connect those rooms to outdoor spaces. For instance, the kitchen spills out to an al fresco dining space shaded by a metal trellis. A fire pit and lounge area are nestled just a few steps down from the living room.
On the front facade, ground-faced concrete blocks contrast with cumaru wood tongue-and-groove siding.
A sunken courtyard at the front of the home provides a private lounge space that connects to the dining room.
Additional outdoor rooms serve other functions. At the front of the house, a sunken courtyard surrounded by a gabion wall creates a private place to sit and is accessible to the dining room, should future dinner parties spill outside. At the upper level where the bedrooms are located, a roof deck creates an intimate perch to take in views of the water.
The custom sliding window screens, which shield from solar gain, were designed by the couple and are a modernized reference to the operable shutters that Denise remembers from her childhood in Austria. They first used the idea on one of their apartment buildings.
Inside, another hard pass for the couple was an open floor plan. "We have two little boys, and the home we were in previously was very open," says Denise. "So, we definitely learned that it’s challenging to not be able to control the sound. I knew I wanted a space to get away from the kitchen mess after cooking a meal or retreat to the living room."
A "Hello" sign from UK-based Block Design, made from a single piece of powder-coated steel, hangs over a bench.
The kitchen is outfitted with Henrybuilt cabinetry and Heath Ceramics tile on the backsplash. Modern matte black can lights by Cedar & Moss illuminate the bar.
Duchateau engineered hardwood oak complements the kitchen’s warm wood cabinetry. A broad sliding door connects the space to the outdoor deck, which spills down to the backyard.
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Division between the rooms allowed the couple to create a variety of experiences in the home, whether it be a private nook to curl up with a book or a gathering space where everyone can be together. "You’re able to really drill down into the character in each space, and just by its very nature, it serves a distinct purpose," says John.
Hay outdoor furniture sits underneath the steel pergola.
"Even in March and April, on a sunny day, we can open up those doors and eat outside in the sun," says Denise.
Because there are still sight lines via the outdoor spaces, the main rooms feel connected, especially when the glass doors are pushed wide, which happens more often than John and Denise ever imagined. They will often open the doors in the morning and let the fresh air blow through all day. "We live outside way more than we ever have before," says John.
"You have so many different ways of utilizing the space that it doesn’t get boring," adds Denise. "You can go up and sit on the roof deck one day, and another day you’re entertaining on the dining deck. Having those spaces separate creates all these mini stories in your home."
A concrete walkway connects the living and dining rooms to the exterior, and concrete forms a built-in bench for lounging by the Solo Stove fire pit.
An Eilersen sofa, Croft House coffee table, and Campbell Lounge Chair by Sean Woolsey outfit the living room, which stays visually connected to the outdoor dining room and kitchen. "It was a bit of a gamble to separate the living room so far from the kitchen," says Denise. "When we were framing up, people really questioned that choice because they’re not used to seeing it that much."
In the dining room, which leads to the sunken courtyard out front, a Restoration Hardware table is surrounded by Hans Wegner chairs. Fireclay Tile lines the backsplash above the sideboard.
Large windows in the office help create the couple’s desired effect of permeability throughout the home.
In the den, Vitsoe shelving, a rattan chair by Sika Design, and Hem side tables create a multipurpose space.
The guest bath features punchy Clé tile flooring and a mirror and sconce from Schoolhouse Electric.
The exterior massing was the first thing the couple nailed down while details like the stairs took a bit longer. "The challenge is that you realize there’s an infinite amount of detail you can drill down into," says John.
In the main bedroom, Lostine bedside tables with Mantis sconces from Design Within Reach flank a bed from Room & Board. The vintage rug was sourced from Portland’s Kat + Maouche, and the wallpaper is by Galbraith & Paul.
Cork flooring by Expanko runs from the bathroom to the hallway, mirroring the tones of the cedar ceilings. Heath Ceramics tile clads the vanity wall.
A Rejuvenation sconce and a Pfeifer Studio stool accent the reading nook built into the hallway.
In the kids’ bath, a custom vanity by Christopher Derek Bruno and a ladder by Lostine extend the home’s warm material palette.
The roof deck, anchored by a gas fire pit from Paloform, boasts an incredible view of the water.
The family enjoys the outdoor lounge.
Beach Drive Home floor plan
Related Reading:
Clever Changes Bring Out the Charm in a 1920s Seattle Bungalow
A Seattle Musician Improvises During the Pandemic by Building Out His Own Backyard Cottage
Project Credits:
Architecture: John Schack / Revolve Development / @revolvedevelopment
Builder: Metis Construction
Structural Engineer: Frank Co.
Civil Engineer: KPFF
Interior Design: Denise Schack / Revolve Development
Cabinetry: Henrybuilt
Photography: Rafael Soldi
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