West Seattle Interior Remodel

This 1950s era home was a well built home with great views, but was in need of significant updates.  The scope of work included opening up walls to create an open floor plan at the upper level, with an updated kitchen and master suite, as well as cost-effective aesthetic updates at the stairs and lower level.  Green building strategies included:

• Replacing existing windows with efficient dual pane fiberglass composite windows
• Locally made plywood cabinets with no added urea formaldehyde
• Low VOC paints, adhesives, and caulks
• Hard surface flooring to limit dust and allergens
• Natural linoleum at the kitchen and stairs
• New high efficiency gas furnace
• Limiting the work to stay within the existing envelope of the home rather than adding square footage

The open floor plan makes the space feel brighter and more inviting — and much larger, although the square footage is the same.

The new kitchen cabinets are locally made from maple veneer plywood and feature open shelves.

Some photos of this area before the renovation, to show the dramatic difference from removing a couple of walls:

Another area that needed some updates was the tiny bathroom:

By expanding the bathroom into the space of a small adjoining closet and changing the entrance, the tiny bathroom feels much more open. We were even able to find room for a small guest bathroom by using a portion of the hallway where the original bathroom entrance was.

The basement was dark and a little creepy feeling, but with a good opportunity for access to the backyard garden.

We finished the wall and ceiling with drywall and efficient LED recessed can lights. With new windows, a glazed door, and some light colored paint selections, the lower level is a pleasant place to be.

The stairs down to the basement are a dramatic change. The natural linoleum treads with metal nosing and plywood fronts is a cost effective way to update the look of the stairs in a playful way.

Although the owners were contemplating the addition of a third floor master bedroom suite, as well as some options for increasing the size of the home, we were able to find good solutions within the existing footprint, which allowed for some of the budget to be used for improving the windows, appliances and HVAC equipment. The home now will be more comfortable and energy efficient for the future.

Cheery West Seattle Interior Remodel Photo Gallery

Roll over for more information and click to see a slideshow view. Photos by Holli with an i Photography unless noted otherwise.

Upstairs view.

A view from the basement bedroom.

A view into the new guest bath.

The dutch door.

Upstairs view

A view into the kitchen from the bar.

New bathroom cabinets.

View from the front door. Removing walls at the stairs and kitchen creates an airy space.

The new dog door in action.

The stove area.

The kitchen sink and counter area.

A built in seating nook.

A cozy corner to sit and read.

View out to the deck.

Maple veneer plywood cabinets and vibrant marmoleum floor.

A dog’s eye view of the basement.

Sliding glass doors at the kitchen bar open to the deck beyond.

The kitchen sink window.

Wall niches in the master bedroom.

Steps up from the basement. Marmoleum, plywood, and metal nosings are a cost effective material choice.

The existing “funky” handrails were reinstalled.

The new kitchen island in action.

Long windows continue into the shower.

View from the kitchen bar.

A wall of shelves and cabinets.

Hallway leading to master bath and closet

A new guest bath built into the existing hallway.

A view into the kitchen shows off the dutch door.

The front entry hall.

An upstairs view.

Outside the basement, the existing covered patio.

A view towards the front door.

The deck at the upper level.

Cozy seating area.