A Modern Meets Nautical Interior Refresh
Sailhouse Kirkland Apartments Refresh
Inspired by the easy lake access, this interior refresh blends nautical and modern to breathe new life into the community identity.
Located in Kirkland near the banks of Lake Washington, Sailhouse Apartments offers its residents calm, lakeside living just outside of the bustling city. While this community certainly has location in its favor, the interiors were dated, drab, and lacked the allure needed to stay competitive in the booming Seattle market. Their brand identity — a nautical theme inspired by their close connection to the water — had been long lost, and upgrades were needed to bring character back to Sailhouse.
Our design team was brought in to revitalize the ambiance and residential experience of the apartment community to stay competitive within the housing market. The vision was a modern, coastal inspired space that summons familiar feelings of hazy summer days spent by the lake — but with a contemporary twist that brings the complex into the present.
The new lobby offers a serene first impression, featuring a refreshing, summery color palette of saturated, warm accents layered upon soft neutrals. Yellow and gold are featured in furniture, light fixtures, and other accent pieces, conjuring images of the bright summer sun sitting high in the sky. Sage-colored suede sofas are reminiscent of sunbathing on a grassy knoll beneath a towering evergreen, and shades of blue are repeated throughout to represent water and sky. A round, braided jute rug anchors the smaller seating area as a nod to the space’s nautical theme.
Light and Bright
Bright, saturated hues are illuminated by an abundance of natural light. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Light and Bright
Bright, saturated hues are illuminated by an abundance of natural light. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Community Spaces
Plush sofas, cozy chairs, and window seating provide ample seating for residents to relax, work, or gather together. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Community Spaces
Plush sofas, cozy chairs, and window seating provide ample seating for residents to relax, work, or gather together. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Summer Hues
Bright green sofas conjure images of soft summer grass, while yellow accents also help warm up the space. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Summer Hues
Bright green sofas conjure images of soft summer grass, while yellow accents also help warm up the space. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
A Seat in the Sun
Bar seating along the windows offers residents a sunny spot to work or people watch. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
A Seat in the Sun
Bar seating along the windows offers residents a sunny spot to work or people watch. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Strategic Designs
Although the lobby is one large space, each seating area and amenity feels like its own section of the room. Color, patterns, and fixtures like the floor-to-ceiling screens help divide the room into smaller programs. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Strategic Designs
Although the lobby is one large space, each seating area and amenity feels like its own section of the room. Color, patterns, and fixtures like the floor-to-ceiling screens help divide the room into smaller programs. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
In the resident kitchen, shades of blue complement organic neutrals and materials. While the design is sophisticated overall, small, playful moments ensure the space feels personal. A unique, twisted light fixture twists and turns with the same fluidity as ocean waves. Placed above a large marble-top island, the kitchen feels contemporary, sleek, and inviting. The lobby is comprised of multifunctional amenity spaces and seating areas that are visually connected, but still offer a sense of separation for multiple groups to enjoy the common area simultaneously.
The gym refresh is a continuation of nature-inspired design, with calming neutrals to help promote focus. Light hardwood floors and cubbies help the space feel fresh and open. Crisp white walls are contrasted by black window trim and ceilings for a modern, timeless appearance.
Gather Round
A more intimate seating area provides residents and guests with a cozy spot to gather and entertain. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Gather Round
A more intimate seating area provides residents and guests with a cozy spot to gather and entertain. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Contemporary Coastal
A cozy seating area features nautical accents like a braided jute rug and rope table décor. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Contemporary Coastal
A cozy seating area features nautical accents like a braided jute rug and rope table décor. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Calm Kitchen
The resident kitchen is inspired by water, with various shades of blue and a light fixture that mimics ocean waves. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Calm Kitchen
The resident kitchen is inspired by water, with various shades of blue and a light fixture that mimics ocean waves. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Creating Rooms within Rooms
Flooring in the kitchen helps distinguish the area from the greater room, helping it feel like its own distinct space. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Creating Rooms within Rooms
Flooring in the kitchen helps distinguish the area from the greater room, helping it feel like its own distinct space. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Calm, Cool, and Colorful
Tones of blue are layered upon soft neutrals for a relaxing effect. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Calm, Cool, and Colorful
Tones of blue are layered upon soft neutrals for a relaxing effect. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
The model unit also boasts the same vibrant accent colors found in the lobby — a cheerful yellow layered over beige, feather grey, black, and toasted browns. Balancing statement colors with neutrals introduces a youthful essence into the otherwise sophisticated, polished design. Lightly stained wooden cabinets and flooring keep the space feeling bright and airy — even on the dreariest Seattle day.
Similar to the lobby, the model unit uses color and materials to visually connect each space, while also defining them from one another. The living room feels warm, cozy, and separated from the kitchen and dining area by the transition to softer, inviting materials like suede. The kitchen is defined by sleek, classic neutrals and modern appliances, and the dining area is a calm, sunny haven for guests to enjoy a meal.
The bed and bath were kept simple yet contemporary, with neutrals like white and beige dominating the color scheme for a fresh, clean design, agreeable to most people. Sunny yellow accents serve as an aesthetic link to the Sailhouse brand.
Now, this once-dated apartment complex feels new, modern, and has a visual identity unique to its brand. New amenities and common spaces also foster a new sense of community. Located near the water just outside of the city, Sailhouse offers its residents an escape from urban life, back to a simpler and sunnier time.
Magnetic Model Unit
The model unit uses summery tones and organic materials to heat up and energize the space. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Magnetic Model Unit
The model unit uses summery tones and organic materials to heat up and energize the space. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Dynamic Design
The living room feels fun yet inviting, with bright, sunny-yellow accents and earth-tone neutrals. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Dynamic Design
The living room feels fun yet inviting, with bright, sunny-yellow accents and earth-tone neutrals. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Dining Nook
A switch from hardwood to carpet in the living room beyond helps the dining area feel more defined within the larger space. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Dining Nook
A switch from hardwood to carpet in the living room beyond helps the dining area feel more defined within the larger space. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Keep It Simple
The kitchen blends natural materials with high quality appliances for a classic, practical appeal. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Keep It Simple
The kitchen blends natural materials with high quality appliances for a classic, practical appeal. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Bar Seating
Bar seating in the kitchen helps maximize seating and dining space, and also creates a more casual place to enjoy quicker meals. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Bar Seating
Bar seating in the kitchen helps maximize seating and dining space, and also creates a more casual place to enjoy quicker meals. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Little Touches
Summery accent colors aesthetically link the bedroom to the rest of the Sailhouse in a subtle way. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Little Touches
Summery accent colors aesthetically link the bedroom to the rest of the Sailhouse in a subtle way. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Classic Bath
This neutral primary bath uses high quality materials and finishes to keep it feeling fresh and sleek. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Classic Bath
This neutral primary bath uses high quality materials and finishes to keep it feeling fresh and sleek. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Fitness Room
Simple, classic materials in the gym like light hardwood help promote focus. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Fitness Room
Simple, classic materials in the gym like light hardwood help promote focus. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Gym Decor
A cloudy grey accent wall is complemented by wood built-ins, crisp white walls, and a halo lighting effect above. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Gym Decor
A cloudy grey accent wall is complemented by wood built-ins, crisp white walls, and a halo lighting effect above. Sailhouse Kirkland Apartment Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.
Notes & Credits
Photography by Cory Holland.
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