Refreshing a Ranch-Style Home
West Seattle Mid-Century
Remodeling a classic Seattle ranch home to celebrate its mid-century style.
This home, though brimming with potential and mid-century charm, was overshadowed by an inefficient layout and dreary colors that made it feel old beyond its years. The homeowners wanted to reimagine every space, but within the existing footprint, to create a home that “lived larger” than the original layout.
Though a common house plan available in the period it was built, the Seattle ranch-style home felt cramped and compressed, and definitely without the more open, larger kitchen desired these days. The homeowners sought a modern and spacious home that respected — and highlighted — the strong, existing mid-century design elements. A true primary bedroom suite and an open living/ kitchen/dining experience were musts, as was a closer connection to the yard. In just over 1,200 square feet, the updated interiors deliver comfortable spaces with everything the family needs.
In celebration of the home’s history, the vaulted wood ceilings and original fireplace were not only kept intact but used as the launching point of our design. Largely ignored in the original design, the wood ceiling detail is carried throughout the home’s updates, a common element linking discrete spaces together while maintaining the thread connecting the whole home to its history.
Let the Light In
Opening the floorplan between common areas not only provides a seamless flow throughout the home, but also allows more light to enhance and complement those rich, darker hues of the ceiling and mantel. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Let the Light In
Opening the floorplan between common areas not only provides a seamless flow throughout the home, but also allows more light to enhance and complement those rich, darker hues of the ceiling and mantel. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Make it Pop
Colored accents bring a youthful yet retro glow to this mid-century masterpiece. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Make it Pop
Colored accents bring a youthful yet retro glow to this mid-century masterpiece. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Sensation of More Space
Large windows create the illusion of more space, essential for game nights and gatherings in the living room. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Sensation of More Space
Large windows create the illusion of more space, essential for game nights and gatherings in the living room. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Perfectly Placed
The incorporation of a sleek island with a waterfall edge maximizes the functionality of this kitchen, creating more space for busy home chefs to plan and prep. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Perfectly Placed
The incorporation of a sleek island with a waterfall edge maximizes the functionality of this kitchen, creating more space for busy home chefs to plan and prep. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Mix and Match
Glowing, spherical light fixtures centered over the kitchen island offer a softer, rounded look, complementing the linear fixture over the dining table. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Mix and Match
Glowing, spherical light fixtures centered over the kitchen island offer a softer, rounded look, complementing the linear fixture over the dining table. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
A Bold Backsplash
Blue chevron backsplash brings an element of fun complementing the rich wood hues of the ceiling and cabinets. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
A Bold Backsplash
Blue chevron backsplash brings an element of fun complementing the rich wood hues of the ceiling and cabinets. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
The original stone fireplace now anchors a cozy sitting room. In keeping with the homeowners’ wish for an open plan, a dining area stands immediately beyond the sitting room, while large windows at the front and a sliding door at the back of the house draw your gaze through the space to the gardens and yard beyond.
Adjacent, an all-new kitchen is the heart of the home. To make the generous kitchen possible we recaptured what had been a half-finished, carport-turned-living-space that felt cut off from the rest of the house, like the afterthought it was. Repurposed as the kitchen, the room is now light and airy (helped by a large skylight) and provides comfortable overflow space for the more modest living and dining areas.
Perhaps most delightful detail of the whole house is a third bedroom and office concealed by a swinging kitchen bookshelf. The bookshelf not only provides storage but maintains the integrity of both the public and private spaces within the home – and is a fun mystery to uncover, to boot.
Hearth is the Heart
A vaulted ceiling lends greater height to the space while also allowing the stone mantel to be fully displayed as the sturdy, towering anchor of the room. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Hearth is the Heart
A vaulted ceiling lends greater height to the space while also allowing the stone mantel to be fully displayed as the sturdy, towering anchor of the room. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
West Seattle Mid-Century
West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Throughout the home, details abound. Standout moments of color – like the cyan chevron tile in the kitchen – enliven the home with a consistent palette of cooler blues and greens paired with warm yellows and oranges. Accent walls bring character to the bedrooms and, throughout, are displays of the homeowners’ collection of mid-century furniture and art, each a celebration of their love for the period and style.
Light-Filled Dining Space
The dining table enjoys access to abundant natural light through large glass doors, giving dinner parties an al fresco feel. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Light-Filled Dining Space
The dining table enjoys access to abundant natural light through large glass doors, giving dinner parties an al fresco feel. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Cook with Ease
Ample countertop and storage space makes cooking an exciting endeavor free of clutter and never cramped. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Cook with Ease
Ample countertop and storage space makes cooking an exciting endeavor free of clutter and never cramped. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
The Secret Door
This bookshelf isn’t just for storage or display — it gives way to a hidden bedroom and office. This whimsical touch is sure to excite and inspire guests of all ages. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
The Secret Door
This bookshelf isn’t just for storage or display — it gives way to a hidden bedroom and office. This whimsical touch is sure to excite and inspire guests of all ages. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
West Seattle Mid-Century
West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Look Up
Skylights aren’t just for stargazing — this carefully placed element greatly increases the room’s access to natural light, bringing direct sun into a once dark space. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Look Up
Skylights aren’t just for stargazing — this carefully placed element greatly increases the room’s access to natural light, bringing direct sun into a once dark space. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Space Above
Overhead storage tucked above the desk ensures there’s plenty of room for work — and play. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Space Above
Overhead storage tucked above the desk ensures there’s plenty of room for work — and play. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
A Quiet Corner
This smaller space is the perfect opportunity for a quiet reading nook teeming with both natural and artificial light. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
A Quiet Corner
This smaller space is the perfect opportunity for a quiet reading nook teeming with both natural and artificial light. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
West Seattle Mid-Century
West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
With the whole home reflecting these homeowners’ style, everything feels like it fits. Never do you turn a corner and wish you’d bothered to refresh the guest bathroom, or repainted that accent wall — though bright and vibrant, the home hums with the sense of calm that a comprehensive design brings to a space.
Flooring with a Flair
This geometric floor tile paired with sleek white and wooden accents adds a unique flair to this small bathroom. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Flooring with a Flair
This geometric floor tile paired with sleek white and wooden accents adds a unique flair to this small bathroom. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Special Touches
Details can make a huge difference. This gold statement lamp is the perfect vintage accessory to bring character and charm to the bedside. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Special Touches
Details can make a huge difference. This gold statement lamp is the perfect vintage accessory to bring character and charm to the bedside. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Fresh Primary Bath
Flooded with natural light from a large window, the frameless glass shower enclosure — and continuous wall, floor, and ceiling finishes — help this smaller primary bath live much larger. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Fresh Primary Bath
Flooded with natural light from a large window, the frameless glass shower enclosure — and continuous wall, floor, and ceiling finishes — help this smaller primary bath live much larger. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
From the primary bedroom suite down the hall, the connection to the previously-inaccessible side yard is reestablished via French doors opening to a new private patio. The now-abundant natural light highlights the accent wall of eye-catching geometric wallpaper and reinforces the connection to the outdoors so important to the homeowners.
A simple paint refresh on the exterior exemplifies our approach to the project as a whole: to bring cohesive, beautiful, and cost-effective update to this home without disrupting its inherent charm. Previously hidden behind imperfections in the original design, the home now pays homage to its history while feeling open and modern, just like the homeowners desired.
A Winner Walk-In
High ceilings and directional lighting make this walk-in feel anything but cramped. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
A Winner Walk-In
High ceilings and directional lighting make this walk-in feel anything but cramped. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Get Ready in Style
The design of this wooden wardrobe offers clever and stylish storage solutions right on par with the home’s mid-century feel. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Get Ready in Style
The design of this wooden wardrobe offers clever and stylish storage solutions right on par with the home’s mid-century feel. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
A Place for Everything
This design ensures there’s a place for everything — down to the smallest intricacies of your wardrobe. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
A Place for Everything
This design ensures there’s a place for everything — down to the smallest intricacies of your wardrobe. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Light Up the Night
A fun accent wall can be perfectly complimented (and illuminated) by lamps like these bedside beauties. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Light Up the Night
A fun accent wall can be perfectly complimented (and illuminated) by lamps like these bedside beauties. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
All About Accents
Accent pillows are a fun and chic way to quickly upgrade any space. They’ll also keep your guests comfy during late-night fire chats. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
All About Accents
Accent pillows are a fun and chic way to quickly upgrade any space. They’ll also keep your guests comfy during late-night fire chats. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Hosts with the Most
A patio complete with chic seating and a fire pit means making the most out of those beautiful Seattle summers. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Hosts with the Most
A patio complete with chic seating and a fire pit means making the most out of those beautiful Seattle summers. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Natural Beauty
The bright green accent of the French doors amplifies the greenery surrounding the patio, making it feel as though you’re enveloped by nature. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Natural Beauty
The bright green accent of the French doors amplifies the greenery surrounding the patio, making it feel as though you’re enveloped by nature. West Seattle Mid-Century | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Notes & Credits
This project was built by Angell Construction.
Photos by Tina Witherspoon.
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