Before & After: A Seattle home remodel inspired by English cottage style
“Before” image from Ruhl Real Estate
Our Timeless Vista clients purchased a 1940s residence with sweeping views of Lake Washington in 2023. While the natural light and location were exceptional, the whitewashed 1980s interior finishes didn’t exude the warmth and charm that they wanted in a home.
The homeowners reached out to our team of Seattle interior designers to help reimagine the layout, layer in warmth, and create a timeless, family-friendly design. To blend comfort and classic design, we drew from English cottage style as the inspiration for this project. Throughout the home, you’ll see the use of materials like honed marble, handmade tiles, and brass fixtures to help bring in a cozy, lived-in vibe to a newer renovation. The result is a “livable luxury” aesthetic that feels elevated and inviting — yet durable enough for two young boys.
Improve livability with a functional layout
“Before” image from Ruhl Real Estate
This project was a full gut remodel. By stripping the home to the studs, we were able to improve functionality while adding significant value through structural additions. Here are a few of the layout changes we made to optimize the space:
Added a dormer: Partnering with Seattle-based Board & Vellum, we added a striking two-story dormer entryway that creates an immediate sense of arrival.
Relocated the kitchen: We converted the original, cramped kitchen into a high-functioning butler’s pantry for storage. The new "entertainer’s kitchen" was relocated to the rear of the home to capitalize on the sweeping Lake Washington views.
Defined living spaces: Rather than creating an open-concept plan, we intentionally retained the cased openings and walls. This creates distinct "zones" that feel cozy rather than cavernous, but still allows the living area to flow.
Optimized for the view: We flipped the original layout of the primary suite to ensure the bed overlooked the lake, while creating a private, spa-like ensuite.
Elevated finishes for everyday living
Dormer addition and layout reconfiguration in progress
What makes this home truly "English Cottage" is the cozy, lived-in experience of the materials. We prioritized surfaces that would age gracefully rather than ones that never patinated or required constant polishing.
Marble: A custom mantel with marble surround was installed to provide the architectural weight typical of a historic English estate. We mirrored this stone in the kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities.
Brass: Throughout the kitchen and bathrooms, we used unlacquered Newport Bass fixtures to add a living finish to the spaces.
Soft Velvets: We grounded the living room with two Maiden Home moss velvet sofas, offering a rich, garden-inspired contrast to the light walls.
Wainscoting: To achieve an elevated hotel feel in the primary bathroom, we installed full-height wainscoting, café curtains for privacy and charm, and a palette of serene creamy hues.
Checkered Flooring: We pulled this classic tile design into both the butler’s pantry and kids’ bathroom. In the bathroom, we also incorporated a hidden laundry chute in the vanity to keep the floors clear of clutter.
A Pacific Northwest color palette
Using colors pulled from the local surroundings, we curated a palette that bridges English sophistication with the Pacific Northwest’s nature-inspired hues. We avoided stark whites and deep saturation in favor of warm neutral tones that feel snug on a rainy afternoon, not drab. Below are a few of our favorite paints used throughout the home:
Smoked Trout by Farrow & Ball: The name is perfect for a PNW home, isn’t it? We utilized this color in the entry hall and dining room. It’s a sophisticated pink-brown that changes beautifully throughout the day. It adds a layer of warmth and color that standard beige simply can’t achieve, serving as the perfect introduction to the home.
Carriage Green by Farrow & Ball: We wanted the guest bathroom to feel a little extra special and moody. We achieved that by pairing Farrow & Ball’s Carriage Green with Schumacher’s Waldemar wallpaper.
Card Room Green by Farrow & Ball: Our clients wanted an upstairs bathroom that would withstand their young kids, but sophisticated enough to serve as a guest bathroom eventually. We chose Farrow & Ball’s Card Room Green for the vanity to inject a sophisticated green into the space to balance the playful checkered flooring.
Natural Cream by Benjamin Moore: This creamy color was used throughout the home to bring in light and brightness, while still feeling warm and refined.
A home for generations
Timeless Vista is a testament to the idea that you don't have to sacrifice style for functionality. By reconfiguring spaces, we gave this family the square footage they needed. But by layering in the English cottage design, we gave them the feeling they were searching for: a cozy, family-friendly home that they’ll be able to enjoy for decades.
Read more about this home in Rue Magazine’s A Thoughtfully Reimagined Seattle Home with Cottage Soul.
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