When it comes to remodeling, it’s often just easier to knock things down and start from scratch than it is to make calculated changes from within. The downside of this route is that it can result in a hodgepodge design compromise, and, ultimately, in the loss of a home’s heart. Christine and Eric Larsen, and…

HOT SEATS The Paola Lenti outdoor collection, exclusively at Inform Interiors (South Lake Union, 2032 Eighth Ave.; 206.622.1608; informseattle.com), is informed by sultry shapes and radiant colors. We’re drawn to the adjustable chairs bearing Lenti’s signature hand-woven Rope cord fabric, such as the Sand Chair ($2,933 and up), which feature a stainless steel structure and…

A decade after building a cabin on Whidbey Island, a couple dreamed up an appealing addition to create their ideal getaway. They called on BUILD LLC(University District, 5611 University Way NE, Suite 100B; 206.382.0401; buildllc.com; blog.buildllc.com), architects of the original cabin, to fashion the 199-square-foot potting shed cum reflecting room. Entirely detached from the main cabin 450 feet…

Here comes the sun! Kick off the spring entertaining season with a fresh take on elegant outdoor style. A neutral palette of black, white and gray comes alive with pops of soft, sunny yellow. Want to add some panache to your patio? Start with the beautiful basics, like Summer Classics’ Plaza loveseat and chair, featuring…

Epitomized by the work of influential California architects Charles and Ray Eames and real estate developer Joseph Eichler, mid-century modern homes took root in Seattle when the city was expanding beyond its core into neighborhoods such as Magnolia, View Ridge and West Seattle. “The mid-century design was a move away from traditional, compartmentalized floor plans,”…

What is the telltale sign of a Tudor? Outside, look for a steeply pitched roof, which gives a triangular aspect to the face of the house. Sometimes a double peak is employed, above a curved entryway. A decorative technique known as “false half-timbering” harks back to medieval building methods and is responsible for the distinctive…

Early spring’s crisp air and afternoon sunshine lure us outdoors for fun with our four-legged friends. From Marymoor to Magnuson, a plethora of dog-friendly parks offer options for open running and playtime: and leashed, leisurely strolls through the neighborhood are a daily delight. The Brits have long brought doggie love elements into their dwellings. Want…

No question: Their original remodel, at the tail-end of the 1990s, went slightly awry. First, the homeowners inherited an architect from their general contractor. This led to a series of misadventures; including discovering during one site visit that the window in the master bathroom was set too high to enjoy the scenic water views while…

In a design studio on Vashon Island, Peter Scott is cooking up solutions to big problems. His company, Burn Design Lab, is on a mission to reduce global warming and respiratory illness by creating highly efficient and affordable stoves that can replace the open-fire cooking pits used in developing countries. Those pits pump out emissions…

Craftsman homes first started appearing in Seattle around 1900 as an offshoot of the British Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized the handmade over the mass-produced, and design simplicity over the ornate Victorian homes of the era. Found in neighborhoods all across Seattle, especially Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, Leschi, West Seattle and Wallingford, the Craftsman…

What’s the purpose of the split down the middle of Henrybuilt’s Wood Bench 3? “It helps the seat to hug your bottom,” says Lisa Day, Seattle-based Henrybuilt’s director of marketing. The split divides the bench into two long slabs of wood, which angle down slightly toward the center, making it more comfortable than a standard…

Beth Evans-Ramos doesn’t want to ignite your envy. But on winter’s frostiest days, the 2,000-square-foot house in Shoreline where she lives with her husband is as cozy as a thick Irish sweater, and it comes with a heating bill that rarely rises above $55 a month—even in the middle of winter. “It’s like magic,” she…