Renovating a 1910 Seattle Beach House with Vibrant Design
Shed transforms a historic Alki Beach cabin using bold colors and structural reconfigurations.
1Historical Context and Challenge
Originally constructed as a log cabin in 1910, the Alki Lookout residence underwent two previous remodels before Shed took over. Despite its prime location overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, the 2,706-square-foot home lacked a unified identity. The design team focused on retaining the existing structure while injecting a distinct character.
2Strategic Floor Plan Reconfiguration
The most impactful structural change involved swapping the kitchen and dining areas to optimize circulation. By moving the dining space to a window-adjacent banquette, the family now enjoys direct views of passing ferries. This shift also allowed for increased kitchen storage and a more fluid connection between the primary living zones.
3The Serious Surf Palette
Drawing inspiration from the homeowners' Southern California roots, the designers implemented a bold, saturated color scheme. They utilized custom vertical-grain fir cabinetry to provide warmth, balanced by pink Concrete Collaborative countertops and Zia Tile backsplashes. This combination avoids traditional seaside clichés, opting instead for an expressive and modern aesthetic approach.
4Defining the Living Level
A central tiled fin wall serves as the primary organizational element for the main living level. Clad in Alex Proba’s Moroccan Mix tile, the wall features abstract shapes in salmon, yellow, and blue. These colors establish a cohesive visual thread that connects the living room to the surrounding interior spaces throughout.
5Materiality and Quiet Counterpoints
While the home features expressive patterns, the design team utilized white oak flooring and warm wood surfaces to ground the space. These neutral elements act as a necessary counterpoint to the vibrant pink sofa and custom fir screens. This balance ensures that the bold design choices remain intentional rather than overwhelming.
6Playful Private Spaces
The bathrooms continue the home's narrative through abstract interpretations of the marine environment. The guest bathroom features undulating blue-and-white Zia Tile paired with Hygge West’s Underwater World wallpaper. Throughout these private areas, geometric tile and terrazzo surfaces extend the material palette, maintaining consistency with the home's overall playful and creative design language.
7Functional Upgrades in Primary Suite
Upstairs, the primary suite renovation focused on maximizing utility through smart architectural interventions. By reworking the stair area, the team increased storage capacity by approximately two and a half times. Custom built-ins, including a bed with concealed drawers and a mirrored transom, enhance both the functionality and the perceived height of the room.
8Public Expression via Exterior Mural
An unexpected waterproofing issue necessitated siding replacement, leading to a unique collaboration with artist Stevie Shao. The resulting mural, depicting local wildlife like whales and ospreys, transforms the facade into a public-facing art piece. This final addition reflects the homeowners' desire to share their creative spirit with the surrounding Alki Beach community.