A revamped midcentury home on Mercer Island with scenic Lake Washington views

Mid-century modern lakefront home at dusk with two-level deck, fire pit patio, and lake views on Mercer Island

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Wettstone Studio, together with Dyna Builders, has reimagined this 1962 midcentury modern home perched on the north shore of Mercer Island, boasting sweeping views of Lake Washington. The renovation preserved the 4,200-square-foot, two-story home’s iconic character while introducing modern livability, enhanced natural light, and a sense of understated luxury.

This dream project had so much going for it from the start: a connection to the lake, great outdoor spaces, a mid-century vibe, vaulted ceilings, and large expanses of glass. It simply needed a thoughtful refresh. The kitchen and bathrooms were dated, and some spaces felt dark and disconnected from the rest of the home.

DESIGN DETAILS

ARCHITECTURE Wettstone Studio
CONTRACTOR Dyna Builders
INTERIOR DESIGN Dyna Design
LANDSCAPE DESIGN Studio Terrain
LANDSCAPING Terrain Seattle

Mid-century modern home at sunset with wraparound deck, cable railing, and waterfront views on Mercer Island

The main living areas were reorganized for improved flow and outdoor connectivity.

Mid-century modern courtyard entry with dark siding, concrete pavers, water feature, and potted plants

Sleek metal railings replaced old pony walls to increase light and transparency, and the original fir beams were stained darker to complement new herringbone oak floors.

Detail of concrete entry pavers with ferns and water channel at mid-century modern home

Details such as jewel-toned cabinetry, custom furnishings, and elegant light fixtures added contemporary glamour. The result is a residence that celebrates its mid-century origins while embracing a refined, comfortable, and distinctly Northwest lifestyle.

Entrway With a Metal Pivot Door

Mid-century modern pivot glass entry door with dark frame, round mirror, and oak cabinet in foyer

The front entry was updated to give a calm experience before you enter through a new, large, metal pivot door that balances privacy with views.

Bright foyer with brass drum chandelier, pivot glass door, chevron floor, and oak console cabinet

What We Love About This Home

We are loving so many details in this Mercer Island midcentury home. Rather than erasing the 1962 bones, the architect leaned into them, and the result feels like a home that has always looked this amazing. The powder room is a standout, with its bronze penny-tile walls and geometric wallpaper, while the main bathroom is equally striking, with its black steel-framed shower enclosure, freestanding tub, and dark herringbone tile feeling more like a boutique hotel than a family home. Then there is the lower-level media room with its iconic Mah Jong sectional, teal walls, and game table, which somehow manages to feel both playful and sophisticated.

Tell Us: Would you love to call this mid-century modern retreat on Lake Washington home? Let us know in the Comments below!

Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other inspiring home tours we have featured here on One Kindesign on Mercer Island: This peaceful waterfront home gets beautifully reimagined on Mercer Island and Contemporary Mercer Island lake house infused with Asian touches.

Dining Room With Breathtaking Water Views

Mid-century modern dining room with walnut table, Saarinen chairs, Sputnik chandelier, and lake views

The interiors were given a warmer, richer palette throughout. This included oak herringbone floors and walls that were painted in Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace.

Dining room with chrome Sputnik chandelier, skylight, burl wood credenza, and colorful glass vases

Living Room With an Angled Ceiling

Mid-century modern living room with vaulted ceiling, dark beams, tufted modular sofa, and pendant cluster lighting

Living room with stone fireplace, modular sofa, brass credenza, glass bottle collection, and lake views

The living room’s stacked-stone fireplace was updated with a luminous Onyx Cream hearth featuring LED lighting.

Living room detail with blue abstract triptych, brass credenza, glass bottle collection, and pendant lights

Stone fireplace with floor-to-ceiling surround, white lounge chairs, and lake views through tall windows

Two-Tone Kitchen

Mid-century modern kitchen with navy blue and cream cabinets, marble island, brass pendants, and skylight

The Kitchen was reoriented, while a connection to the deck was provided via large sliding doors. All the Bathrooms were redone with modern materials. This house became a great family home as well as a place to entertain friends and enjoy life on the lake.

Kitchen with marble island and black faucets opening to waterfront deck with lake views through bifold doors

Kitchen detail with navy lower cabinets, brass hardware, marble backsplash, and open floating shelf

Open-plan kitchen with navy cabinets, marble waterfall island, brass pendant lights, and family room beyond

Kitchen vignette with marble countertop, colorful ceramic vase, botanical artwork, and lake window view

Powder Room With a Penny Tile Accent Wall

Powder room with penny tile walls, geometric wallpaper, copper-framed mirror, and marble sink

Wet bar with bold floral wallpaper, dark granite countertop, brass hardware, framed cityscape artwork, and wine fridge

Home Office

Home office and lounge with Eames chair, leather sofa, dark built-in shelving, and ivy-covered garden window

Home office with dark built-in desk, open shelving, textured wallpaper, and bold floral painting

Reading nook with Eames lounge chair, fluted side table, pixelated artwork, brass sconce, and ivy-covered garden window

Owner’s Bedroom With A Waterfront View

Primary bedroom with vaulted ceiling, dark beams, bubble chandelier, abstract artwork, and sliding doors to lake view deck

On the lower level, the four bedrooms were retained, and the bathrooms were given a complete refresh.

Owner’s Bathroom

Primary bathroom with black freestanding tub, black herringbone tile, steel-framed shower, gold globe chandelier, and floral artwork

Primary bathroom detail of black steel-framed glass shower enclosure with marble walls and hexagonal floor tile

Primary bathroom vanity with cream cabinets, marble countertop, brass hardware, and cylinder wall sconces

Lower-Level Family Room

Lower level media room with teal walls, Mah Jong sectional sofa, geometric tile fireplace, game table, and lake views

Above: In the family room, the Mah Jong sectional is by Roche Bobois.

Guest bathroom with dual marble vanity, black matte faucets, gold-framed mirrors, and stacked tile shower

Laundry room with black undermount sink, matte black faucet, white subway tile backsplash, and open shelving with folded towels

Backyard with cedar sauna, hot tub, fire pit patio, Adirondack chairs, and terraced garden beds at golden hour

The deck was rebuilt and streamlined, with post-and-beam supports to maximize views of the water. A sauna and hot tub were positioned out of view, between the two levels. This way, the home’s inhabitants could look out over the water from inside without their sightlines being blocked.

Cedar sauna and hot tub deck overlooking lake with dock, lush landscaping, and cable railing on Mercer Island