Construction had already begun when homeowners Steve and Mindy hired Coates Design to design the interior of their Green Lake home in Seattle, WA, and add exterior detailing. The home’s original open floor plan was an immediate draw, though they recognized the opportunity to customize the home to better match their modern aesthetic. The couple – both of whom are Amazon employees – sought design and detailing services while the home was being built. This collaboration between the homeowners and Coates Design, along with artisans and vendors, was essentially dictated by the contractor’s sequence of construction.

Key to the modifications to the home was opening the living room corner to an outdoor living area. The original design called for two large, punched sliding doors. These were replaced with two bifolding doors that open from the corner, allowing for fluid access from the interior living area to the outdoor concrete fire pit and built-in grill. The grill and exterior dining area is sheltered by a custom covered awning and warmed by generous amounts of cedar and fir.

Another notable area that was significantly transformed during the construction process is the entryway. An interior door was replaced with an art niche to greet guests upon entering. To better establish this space as a focal point, custom stainless steel posts with a cable rail and custom stair treads were added to the design of the entry stairway. A custom chandelier made of suspended globes of varying sizes hangs from the space’s vaulted ceiling.

Thin profile trim was essential in creating a modern aesthetic, a task that proved to be a challenge. Previous sub-contractors anticipated the use of thicker trim to hide non-square framing and rough drywall edges. Careful adjustments were taken by the woodworker to meet design requirements and conceal the existing conditions.

The area of the home that required the most collaboration with the homeowners was the kitchen. Placement of the kitchen island cabinets to allow for easy access was of primary concern for Steve, who enjoys cooking and entertaining. Thoughtful coordination with subcontractors was critical in achieving the large cantilever at the corner of the silestone countertop. Adjustments were also made to the height of the hood that hangs over the kitchen island to better accommodate Steve’s tall height. Above the island, a night sky soffit was designed using rift sawn oak to match the cabinetry.

Steve and Mindy saw the opportunity to upgrade and customize their home without the added time of starting the design process from inception. Coates Design provided interior design and exterior detailing services, working closely with the homeowners and contractor to evaluate costs, feasibility of products, and detailing options for a project that was under construction. The result is a custom home with sophisticated yet practical interiors, and an overall palette of crisp white, softened by natural wood and warm taupes.