Renovations

A swing hangs from one of the home’s original beams. “It was a gift from friends in New York,” says Onur. “The girls spend hours on it.”

Floor plan of Casa Keçe by Alix and Onur

Dwellings Winner: Casa Ter by Mesura Mesura designed a retreat for a family of five in the Catalonian countryside, utilizing regional and artisanal building techniques and local materials for a sustainable home that blends with the landscape.

A Richard Schultz outdoor set for Knoll looks at home indoors thanks to some faux fur, and an Alexander Girard Environmental Enrichment panel does its job on the rear wall.

Lafayette Park's two-story townhouses are configured in a U-shaped formation.

Fir plywood from Freres Lumber joins IKEA cabinets. The figure painting is by Dylan Dean.

The “Casita” gave the family 1,095 square feet of extra space, and has multiple functions, including flexible space for guests, a home office where they can host firm meetings, and an exercise area with a traditional Finnish sauna.

The view from the courtyard at the Casita, added in 2020.

The patio outside the primary suite is made of bluestone pavers. The gabion walls were “a cost-effective way to build retaining walls, which we needed because of the slope, and for privacy,” says David.

In the primary bedroom, ten-foot-tall doors from Sierra Pacific open to a patio.

The covered patio creates an indoor/outdoor flow conducive to the PNW climate. The table is surrounded by Blu-Dot chairs and the hanging light is from Urban Electric.

The rebuilt “Idea House,” designed by Holly Freres and David Horning of JHL design. The driveway is permeable to encourage good drainage: crushed granite gravel is installed over a stabilization mat. James Hardie exterior siding is painted in Benjamin Moore ‘White Dove,’ with reclaimed wood used for the entry and garage.

The backsplash tile is Dirk Elliot, and various decor items on the walls and shelves are from the couple’s travels in Indonesia, India, and Mexico.

Owner Kristine likes to spend her weekend mornings in the kitchen, under the skylight.

"The solid oak floor is like its own piece of horizontal furniture, blending perfectly with the natural feel, as the soft oak planks flow together throughout the entire apartment,” says Vibeke Jenssen.

In the primary bathroom, a new shower sits next to a tub with green porcelain tiles from Mutina throughout. The toilet is from Toto and the tub is Duravit. Fixtures are Kohler.

The counters are by Caesarstone and the backsplash tile is Fireclay. The appliances are from Fisher Paykel.

The new kitchen is light and bright, with dark green Reform cabinets to provide a grounding energy. "We wanted colors that were calming and soothing, and it's almost got a PNW vibe,