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Collection by Kelly Dawson

A Richly Detailed Seattle Home Built Around a Family's Active Lifestyle

A couple builds a five-bedroom lakeside house with their three kids and their athletic pastimes in mind.

Even though their three growing sons were approaching college age, these two parents—who both work in Seattle’s tech industry—wanted a place their family could call home. They found a decent one-story on the banks of Seattle's Lake Washington, where several homes are clustered together between the water, a private road, and the thick woods beyond. When architect Kevin Witt, AIA, of First Lamp met the family, he was impressed by their closeness and set out to create something of equal intimacy. “The owners wanted a home where they could share experiences with friends and family,” Witt says. “I know that gets said a lot, but on this project more than most we discussed the house in terms of the activities that happen there, and how we can create the best possible environment for them.” The original property needed some upgrades, but more importantly, the family wanted a gathering place that better reflected their active pursuits. Witt designed a new building atop the old one's existing footprint but with some changes: part of the new home—4,216 square feet in total—would be closer to the water and in sight of Mount Rainer. “We also included a few peek-a-boo views to the west, mainly looking upwards to the tree canopy looming on the hillside above,” he says.

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“The roof over the entry is meant to evoke the shape of a rowing oar,” Witt says. The family swins or rows nearly every day. Milgard Windows and Doors supplied windows from their Tuscany series in a silver exterior finish.
“The roof over the entry is meant to evoke the shape of a rowing oar,” Witt says. The family swins or rows nearly every day. Milgard Windows and Doors supplied windows from their Tuscany series in a silver exterior finish.
The home’s front door, by Simpson Door Company, fills an eight-foot frame with sapele veneer on solid wood. “Sapele [is] an African mahogany often used in marine construction,” Witt says. An Emtek Hera handle is fastened to the door.
The home’s front door, by Simpson Door Company, fills an eight-foot frame with sapele veneer on solid wood. “Sapele [is] an African mahogany often used in marine construction,” Witt says. An Emtek Hera handle is fastened to the door.
Sapele is also prominently displayed in the great room. “It provided all the warmth we needed in the space, while the tile floors gave us the durability and resistance to wet feet that they wanted for the main level floor,” Witt explains. A custom end table with a granite top and Dalton Recliners by Room & Board sit around a fireplace from Monessen.
Sapele is also prominently displayed in the great room. “It provided all the warmth we needed in the space, while the tile floors gave us the durability and resistance to wet feet that they wanted for the main level floor,” Witt explains. A custom end table with a granite top and Dalton Recliners by Room & Board sit around a fireplace from Monessen.
Abodian built the cabinetry in the kitchen, which features the same sapele wood used throughout the home.
Abodian built the cabinetry in the kitchen, which features the same sapele wood used throughout the home.
Witt and his team used the framework of the original home as guidance for the new property, but they decided to change the orientation of the master bedroom’s windows to show views of Mount Rainer. “Seeing Mt. Rainer set behind the lake like that is extraordinary,” he says. Once again, sapele was used for the detailing.
Witt and his team used the framework of the original home as guidance for the new property, but they decided to change the orientation of the master bedroom’s windows to show views of Mount Rainer. “Seeing Mt. Rainer set behind the lake like that is extraordinary,” he says. Once again, sapele was used for the detailing.
A Hy-Lite glass door can be found in the master bathroom, which is wrapped in Q-Stone tiles in Ice by Provenza. Kohler Flipside showerheads stand on either side.
A Hy-Lite glass door can be found in the master bathroom, which is wrapped in Q-Stone tiles in Ice by Provenza. Kohler Flipside showerheads stand on either side.
“They are a very active family, with rowing and basketball at the top of the list,” Witt says. “Other activities include water sports, volleyball, and entertaining—even in the winter months, which have short, usually damp days.” Witt created a garage deep enough to hang rowing shelves and enclosed it in a Wayne Dalton garage door.
“They are a very active family, with rowing and basketball at the top of the list,” Witt says. “Other activities include water sports, volleyball, and entertaining—even in the winter months, which have short, usually damp days.” Witt created a garage deep enough to hang rowing shelves and enclosed it in a Wayne Dalton garage door.