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Before & After: 1958 midcentury home in Seattle gets a gorgeous update

By May 10, 2024

Filed Under: Architecture

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mid-century modern home exterior

Originally designed in 1958 by renowned Seattle architect Al Bumgardner, this midcentury home has undergone a complete transformation by SHED Architecture & Design. The redesign honors the architectural significance of the dwelling while better reflecting the storied lives of its new inhabitants.

Perched atop a cliff in West Seattle, Washington, this 2,360-square-foot residence offers panoramic vistas of Vashon Island, the Olympic Mountains, and Puget Sound. Continue below for the BEFORE pictures and the floor plans…

DESIGN DETAILS: REMODEL ARCHITECT SHED Architecture ORIGINAL ARCHITECT Al Bumgardner CONTRACTOR  Ambrose Construction STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Todd Perbix LIGHTING CONSULTATION Inform Interiors GENERAL ILLUMINATION ERW Lighting AUTOMATION CONSULTATION Essen Technologies LIVING ROOM ART Anne Siems CASEWORK Northwest Custom Interiors PLUMBING FIXTURES Chown Hardware

mid-century modern home exterior

In reimagining the house, emphasis was placed on openness and functionality. Interior spaces were restructured to harness natural light and frame scenic vistas, echoing the original design ethos of Bumgardner. This modern reinterpretation honors his vision while adapting the home to contemporary living needs.

mid-century modern home exterior

From playful tile, flooring, and wallpaper choices to new white oak and vertical-grain fir elements, the material palette respects Bumgardner’s original design while infusing a personal touch. This is further accentuated by carefully selected furnishings and art, drawing inspiration from the owners’ past lives abroad and their penchant for bold, expressive decor.

mid-century modern home exterior

The home, in its current form, stands as a testament to its history, rooted in Bumgardner’s vision while evolving to capture the unique narrative of its inhabitants vividly.

mid-century modern home exterior

The entrance was transformed with a new front door, bespoke casework, and an elegantly wallpapered powder room. A wall was removed in the kitchen to enhance the flow and connection with Puget Sound. The blend of custom cabinetry and thoughtful woodwork merges the original architecture with the newly inserted elements.

mid-century kitchen

What We Love: We absolutely love everything about this midcentury home in Seattle. The interior is minimal but richly furnished with beautiful color, texture, and wood. Art is perfectly scaled and placed. The landscape balances the architecture with perfect tree profiles and placement, continuing the minimal but rich in scale and form theme. The eye for balance and restraint inside and out is absolute perfection.

Tell Us: What are your overall thoughts on this midcentury renovation project? Let us know in the Comments below!

Note: Have a look at a couple of other fascinating home tours that we have showcased here on One Kindesign in the state of Washington: Step inside this awesome cedar-clad home overlooking the Puget Sound and This urban sanctuary in Seattle connects with its natural environment.

mid-century powder room

mid-century kitchen

A juxtaposition of white oak against Bumgardner’s palette of VG-stained fir and cedar creates a harmonious balance of materials and textures. Additional features, such as a Nero Marquina Marble island, a walk-up coffee bar, and a built-in breakfast nook, enhance the kitchen’s functionality.

midcentury kitchen

mid-century coffee bar

mid-century kitchen

mid-century dining room

midcentury kitchen

mid-century living room with a fireplace stove

mid-century hallway

An overly open primary bedroom was addressed by reconfiguring its entrance through an enlarged walk-in closet. The two-way fireplace connecting to the living room was restructured, finished with glazed brick tile, and visually separated from the bedroom. Strategically placed interior relights and mirrors ensure privacy and a continued emphasis on light. The ensuite bathroom was thoughtfully reworked and refreshed with custom casework and a striking black and white tile design.

mid-century modern hallway

mid-century modern bedroom

mid-century modern bathroom

mid-century living room with a fireplace

mid-century living room

mid-century living room

mid-century staircase

midcentury upstairs hallway

mid-century bedroom

mid-century bathroom

On the south end of the house, two existing bathrooms were reconfigured into one with a pocket door separating the toilet from the shower room. The bathroom connects to a children’s room on one end and a communal hallway on the other, eliminating the need for a guest bathroom while providing privacy for the attached bedroom. Interior relights and mirrors gang together with the existing skylights to extend natural light throughout the space.

mid-century bathroom

mid-century modern home entry

mid-century modern home exterior

mid-century modern home exterior

PHOTOGRAPHER Rafael Soldi

mid-century home entry before the renovation

mid-century powder room before the renovation

mid-century staircase before the renovation

mid-century kitchen before the renovation

mid-century staircase before the renovation

mid-century kitchen before the renovation

mid-century living room before the renovation

mid-century bathroom before the renovation

mid-century kitchen before the renovation

mid-century bedroom before the renovation

mid-century living room before the renovation

mid-century living room before the renovation

mid-century living room before the renovation

mid-century home entry before the renovation

mid-century bedroom before the renovation

mid-century bathroom before the renovation

mid-century home exterior before the renovation

mid-century modern home floor plan

mid-century modern home floor plan

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