Board & Vellum has completely reimagined a dilapidated Tudor into a storybook home with whimsical custom details, located in Laurelhurst, a neighborhood in Seattle, Washington. The goal of this project was to honor this family home’s past while creating a dream escape for the owner’s grandchildren.

In its former glory, the original dwelling featured a hidden garden, secret passageways, and small details that made it feel like magic. The owners had a bold vision to resurrect this fairytale home on a grander scale. Preserving the home’s original charm and character was important to both the homeowners and their neighbors, as many of the homes were designed by the same Seattle architect.

DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT Board & Vellum BUILDER Thomas Fragnoli Construction STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Bykonen Carter Quinn STAGING Sage Interiors + Design LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION & PLANTING Withey Price HOME AUTOMATION Beemer Smart Home

While cherishing the essence of the original aesthetics, the homeowners desired a more modern and updated home that had all the bells and whistles. In the end, the design seeks to marry these goals with all of the modern conveniences seamlessly integrated into a storybook design.

The architects collaborated with the homeowners to reimagine their home as a well-loved and lived-in cottage. While much of the original structure evolved, several treasured elements dear to the owners were thoughtfully retained and repurposed.

In an intimate sitting room, the largest remaining fragments of the original home include the exterior wall, a generously sized window, and exquisitely painted beams. In the laundry room, the hand-painted cabinet doors find new life, having been rescued from an original built-in wardrobe. These painstakingly preserved details infuse the house with a sense of history, lovingly curated down to the last detail.

Above: Child-friendly details can be found throughout this home, including this cozy, child-sized nook under the staircase of the entry hall.

What We Love: This cherished Tudor home in Seattle was given a new life, complete with modern amenities and inviting living spaces. We love all of the child-friendly spaces in this home that promote magic and adventure while offering a timeless appeal to be enjoyed for many years to come. Overall, the project team did a fabulous job of creating a cozy and whimsical family house with imaginative details throughout.

Tell Us: What details in this home remodel project do you find most inspiring? Please share your thoughts in the Comments below!

Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other incredible Seattle home tours that we have highlighted here on One Kindesign: This urban sanctuary in Seattle connects with its natural environment and A loft-inspired bachelor pad has amazing views on the Seattle waterfront.

“Throughout the home, gable ceilings, artfully-plastered walls, arched doorways, and dark wood create a classic and sophisticated backdrop to the home’s whimsical character,” states the architects.

Cozy nooks can be found throughout this home, making it feel warm and inviting.

Above: This dreamy children’s bedroom includes task lighting for late-night reading, built-in shelves to store toys and books, and a galaxy-themed ceiling.

Above: Upstairs, a multi-use playroom that lets their imaginations grow wild and can adapt to their needs as they get older. A climbing wall leads up to a child-sized loft, a cozy nook for reading and playing.

Above: There is also an aerial net for lounging. The forest-themed wallpaper (Woods by Cole & Son) and the playful monkey lamps are additional examples of the attention to detail that can be found throughout this home.

Above: This home seamlessly incorporates a modern amenity—a discreet pneumatic elevator discreetly nestled in a hallway corner. This forward-thinking addition is designed for the homeowners’ to “age in place” and enhance the home’s long-term livability and enjoyment.

Above: Upstairs is the main bedroom suite along with a private sitting room, and an attic office to provide a quiet refuge from the active areas of the residence. There are also two private balconies that overlook the treetops and beyond to the lake and Mt. Ranier.

Balconies and two large rooftop decks seamlessly connect you to the enchanting backyard, all while framing the awe-inspiring views of Mt. Rainier that this home offers.

The Tudor details of the original home had weathered the test of time, and it was paramount to honor and elevate these elements in a grander, more exquisite fashion. A grand turret anchors the front of the home, providing dual indoor-outdoor access points: one seamlessly integrated with the main level, and another leading to an enchanting rooftop deck.

Above: A partially shaded grilling zone is perfect for summer BBQs, while a large outdoor dining space, complete with a sheltered firepit, invites year-round indulgence and entertainment.

Above: A babbling stream trickles down from the formal terrace above, gently flowing into a small wishing pond before culminating at an elegant gazebo.

Above: This garden-level hobbit hole beckons with its circular entrance and windows, embraced by meticulously arranged, multi-hued bricks. This feature was cleverly constructed using concrete, artfully molded to mimic the appearance of a curved wooden timber arch, defining its graceful contour.

Greenery sprouting from behind the large wooden beam that outlines the form gives this feature real depth and dimension. The doorway leads into a walk-out basement that features a cozy bar lounge.

This remarkable Tudor home in Seattle stands out with classic features such as contrasting gables and arched forms, dark wood, white stucco, wood shingles, and elegant stonework, all while paying tribute to its original design.

Above: A retaining wall establishes this elegant terrace, gracefully curving its way into a central outdoor gathering space.

PHOTOGRAPHER Andrew Giammarco and Meghan Montgomery