A Seattle craftsman home gets a bold renovation with serene Lake Union views

Modern craftsman home exterior with dark navy shingle siding, white columns, and arched portico

❤️ Would you like to save this?

We'll email this article to you, so you can read it later!

By saving, we'll email this post to you for later. Unsubscribe anytime.

Whitney Architecture, in collaboration with Dyna Builders, has beautifully updated this craftsman home, which boasts a blend of traditional and modern design elements and is situated in Seattle, Washington’s Queen Anne neighborhood. The scope of this project entailed transforming a cramped, outdated structure into a light-filled, elegant family home with a flexible lower-level accessory dwelling unit (ADU).

The exterior facade of this home maintains classic Craftsman proportions, enhanced by minimalist touches such as refined trim, sleek metal roofing, and streamlined stonework. A standing-seam metal roof in charcoal anchors the palette, while the stone base plinths beneath the columns add an earthy warmth that keeps the home feeling grounded despite its dramatic hilltop position.

DESIGN DETAILS

ARCHITECTURE Whitney Architecture
CONTRACTOR Dyna Builders
INTERIOR DESIGN Dyna Design

Rear view of craftsman home featuring covered porch with rocking chairs and city water views

Step inside to find a mix of historical elements, such as crown molding and oak herringbone floors, that harmonize with modern details, including a custom glass-and-steel staircase and sophisticated finishes like soapstone and fluted black marble. The main level features open-plan spaces for daily living and entertaining, framed by expansive views of Lake Union and downtown Seattle.

A Craftsman Exterior Reimagined for Modern Living

Close-up of craftsman front entry with white Doric columns, arched portico, and dark wood door

What We Love About This Home

From the street, this home presents as a timeless craftsman with all the character of the Queen Anne neighborhood, yet step inside and find a more modern aesthetic with a soaring glass-and-steel staircase, floor-to-ceiling views of Lake Union, and interiors that feel of the moment. We love how the Seattle skyline is framed through nearly every window. Most impressive is how seamlessly the renovation erased the awkwardness of the original structure, which feels less like an updated house and more like a home that has been this way all along.

Tell Us: What element of this renovation speaks to you most, the dramatic kitchen with its statement range hood, or the owner’s bath with its soaking tub overlooking the lake? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other fabulous home tours that we have showcased here on One Kindesign in the state of Washington: Craftsman Style Home Gets Modern Update with Rentable Garden ADU in Seattle and A Seattle Craftsman Cottage Gets a Makeover with Fresh and Airy Interiors.

Entryway hallway with dark navy built-in cabinetry, herringbone wood floors, and floating staircase

Above: The floating staircase is a custom steel-and-oak piece that serves as the visual spine of the main living floor. Flooring throughout is white oak in a herringbone pattern.

Inside the Light-Filled Main Level

Living room with navy velvet sectional sofa, gold coffee table, and open floating staircase with glass railing

The project involved a significant structural expansion to accommodate the new upper-floor massing while retaining the craftsman-style roofline character.

Open-plan living area with navy sectional, floating staircase, kitchen, and panoramic city views

A Kitchen That Balances Drama and Function

Navy and white two-tone kitchen with large island, bar stools, brass pendants, and herringbone hardwood floors

Above: This striking kitchen features a La Cornue-style range with brass hardware.

Dark navy kitchen with white island, glass pendant lights, and large picture window overlooking city

Close-up of dramatic black and brass range hood over luxury gas range with dark cabinetry

Panoramic Views of Lake Union and the Seattle Skyline

Dining area with dark oval table, velvet chairs, ring chandelier, and floor-to-ceiling city skyline views

Modern outdoor terrace with dark lounge furniture and sweeping Seattle skyline panorama

The Custom Staircase: Where Old Meets New

Open-plan dining and living space with floating staircase, navy cabinetry, and herringbone floors

Built-in bar niche with black chevron marble backsplash, glass shelves, and wine refrigerator

Home office with deep teal walls, wraparound windows, city and water views, and crystal chandelier

Owner’s Bedroom Suite with a Spa-Inspired Bath

Bedroom with vaulted ceiling, crystal chandelier, black-framed windows, and treetop views

Above: The owner’s bedroom suite occupies the top floor of the home, capturing the most expansive lake and city views.

Walk-in shower with marble subway tile walls, black fixtures, and Space Needle visible through window

Bathroom with navy accent wall, marble tile shower, dark vanity, and gold-framed mirror

Bedroom dresser corner with arched mirror and oversized picture window overlooking lake and city

Bedroom detail with navy floral duvet, upholstered headboard, walnut nightstand, and wall sconce

Primary bathroom with vaulted ceiling, freestanding tub, glass shower, brass fixtures, and lake views

Freestanding soaking tub beside floor-to-ceiling window with lake and city views in marble-tiled bathroom

The Wine Cellar: A Hidden Gem

Glass-door wine cellar beside staircase with black steel frame and wall-mounted sconces

Above: The custom wine cellar is climate-controlled with a steel-and-glass door.

Open double-door wine cellar with black metal racks filled with bottles, viewed from staircase landing

White laundry room with navy subway tile backsplash, front-load washer and dryer, and black hardware

A Lower-Level ADU That Doesn’t Compromise on Style

White shaker kitchen cabinetry with navy glazed tile backsplash, black hardware, and built-in microwave

The lower level includes a fully self-contained ADU (accessory dwelling unit) with its own kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom, making it functional for multigenerational living or as a rental.

Bright bedroom with corner picture windows, city and water views, and botanical art gallery wall