As ascending the five steps to get into their home began to get physically problematic, our forward-thinking clients hired us to add a wheelchair lift and to give the front of their house a beautiful facelift (there was a lot of lifting going on).

The precarious narrow gangplank was reconceived as a gracious heavy timber entry. A cozy front porch, outfitted with skylights and heaters, has become a new favorite place to overlook the garden. Subtle and effective lighting was incorporated throughout and charming wood shutters were added for visual warmth and detail.

Contractor: Steffes Construction

Photography: Mike Nakamura Photography, LLC

We’ve remodeled and added onto this house multiple times over the last 15 years for two separate owners. The most recent project brought more light into the house by adding skylights and renovating the skylight wells to some existing ones. In addition, several bathrooms were brought up to date with beautiful finishes, wall colors were lightened, and several non-structural columns were removed.

Contractor: Bob Talbott Construction

Photographs: Ludeman Photographic

This extensive remodel project is a modern update to a beach front oasis. Dated exterior detailing was removed and replaced with refined Contemporary design. Interior walls have been removed to enhance modern living and open concept. Larger exterior windows and doors provide maximum views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

Photography by Mitch Olsen Photography.

A stunning view property and homeowners who wanted a refined redefinition of a contemporary home with elegant rustic features led to liberal use of reclaimed timbers, granite, and steel connections. The home features an open plan with two primary suites on different levels and a lovely, covered patio towards the view.

Builder: G. Rodney Johnson

Interior Design: Michelle Yorke Interior Design

Photos: Scott Manthey - ImageArts Productions (exterior), Clarity Northwest (interior)

New construction of an 8,500 s.f. daylight basement residence on 120-feet of waterfront on Cozy Cove in Yarrow Point includes 4 bedrooms and a 6-car garage with accessory dwelling unit above. 

Contractor: Saad Custom Homes

Interior Design: Janice Snellman

Photographs: Michael Walmsley Photography

“In addition to his many architectural skills, Dan is a great guy. He is even-tempered, intelligent, and does not try to impose his personal preferences. Rather he took our ideas and improved upon them. Because of our positive experience with Dan, both our sons and their wives requested him on their major home remodels.”

Robert B.

2019 remodel of a 6,000 s.f. house with a spectacular view of Lake Sammamish, where the entire character of the interior was reinvented into a modern vernacular.

Contractor: Bob Talbott Construction

Photographs: Ludeman Photographic

“We had been considering a remodel for a few years and found Dan’s balance of creativity and pragmatic approach aligned with what we were looking for. His professionalism and knowledge led us through our home remodel project from conception to completion. He’s a great listener - whether turning our random ideas into several thoughtful options to work from in the design phase or hearing concerns and addressing them during the building phase. Dan was accessible and responsive throughout the entire project. He was exceptional at helping us design our home with flow and complementary features that tie the entire house together. His work is detailed and well documented. We heard many times from our contractor, project manager and subs how much they appreciated Dan’s organization and clear guidance. We had a great remodel experience and Dan’s work played a huge role in our project’s success.”

John & Janet L.

This project is one answer to the age old question: What can we do with our back yard to make it more fun and livable? Detached from the house but connected by a new tiled patio, is this new multi-purposed living and entertaining space which contains 1,386 s.f. of conditioned space that can be opened up to the outdoors through 3 sets of very large pocket slider doors. Immediately adjacent is a large outdoor kitchen complete with brick pizza oven, grill, sink, dishwasher and refrigerator plus a U-shaped bar. The patio also incorporates a new hot tub. Stylistically, the exterior of the pavilion, with its stucco, brick and tile roof, matches to the existing house but the inside takes a more modern twist.

Contractor: Eide Construction

Interior Design: Michelle Dahl

Photography: Ludeman Photographic

It was a real privilege to do a remodel and addition to a home originally designed by Victor Steinbrueck—the designer of the Space Needle. The house is sunk down below the level of the street, so we created an entry experience (new stair, water feature to the front door). Due to geological issues, we had to underpin the foundation and make numerous structural upgrades. We also added an upper floor that contains a new master suite.

Contractor: DLH, Inc.

Landscape Architect: Brooks Kolb

Photographs: Craig Allegro

This new heavy-timber poolside entertaining space includes an outdoor kitchen, wood-burning fireplace, and gas heaters to extend the usefulness of the space into the cooler months.

Contractor: Custom Fence & Masonry

Photographs: Dan Farmer

This new construction 2500 square foot home was built in the footprint of an existing beach cabin on the shoreline of Dabob Bay to create a family gathering place. With expansive views west to the Olympic Mountains and an open, down water view to the south, this home was built to embrace both. The shoreline facing façade steps back on the south face of each main living space to create corner windows that enhance each view direction. Large sliding doors create an open-air dining room that look out across the western decks to the bay and mountains beyond. The house was built into the slope to reduce the visual mass from the approach at the uphill side, and by lowering the main floor below the uphill grade the main living spaces have a more intimate relation to the water.

Contractor: Eric Blais

Photographs: Ludeman Photographic

“John was the perfect architect for us. He listened to both my husband and myself and implemented our ideas. Whenever we needed advice John made himself available. He worked well with our contractor. I would highly recommend John.”

Suzy T.

Featured in Seattle Homes and Lifestyles Magazine, this remodel of a turn-of-the-millennium carriage house kept the best parts of the original and added new character elements. In addition, the project included all new plumbing, electrical, mechanical systems, the three masonry fireplaces were rebuilt plus numerous other structural improvements.

Contractor: DLH, Inc.

Photographs: DLH, Inc.

Contractor: G. Rodney Johnson

Photography: Dane Gregory Meyer

This project was a substantial addition to a 1925 bungalow, including a circular entryway, 2-story library, new kitchen, and master bedroom suite.

Photographs: Tucker English Photography

Over the course of the last twenty years, we’ve had the opportunity to do master planning and the actual designing of numerous structures on the 80-acre Dineen Winery in Zillah, Washington. The first project was the barn—where the wine is made and stored. The general shape, materials and design features were adapted for all the subsequent structures on the site: a tasting room, gatehouses and an open air event space for entertaining.

If you’re ever passing through Zillah, stop in and pick up a bottle of their delicious wine.

Photography: Ludeman Photographic; Daniel Keating; Pat Dineen

This new mountain cabin was built to elegantly withstand huge amounts of snowfall from its perch overlooking Lake Kachess.

Early in the design phase, the decision was made to express the structure from both the inside and outside. We accomplished this by adding a thick layer of rigid insulation over the roof structure. [Often insulation is placed between structural trusses or rafters.]

Contractor: DLH, Inc.

Photography: Ludeman Photographic

A two car garage was added to this mid-century residence that created a new entry courtyard further defined by stacked stone walls and a water feature. A complete interior renovation of the main floor living spaces, kitchen and master bedroom updates this house with a contemporary flair. Full architectural and interior design services, including furnishing selection were provided to create a cohesive aesthetic throughout this project.

Contractor: Urban Restoration

Photography: Deer Creek Media

This 1960’s daylight basement house was tired and outdated with a dark and narrow stair to the basement that not even the cat wanted to use. Furthermore, constricting pinch points on the main floor were very awkward. The solution was an open and airy staircase moved to the lighter side of the house, which made the connection to the basement inviting, and the main floor plan was opened up for much easier circulation.

Contractor: Design Guild Homes

Photography: Dan Keating

“Dan is amazing! I'd work with him again in a heartbeat. His enthusiasm for his work is infectious and his ability to clearly convey why he made certain design choices is outstanding. We came to him sure we had one specific problem: a narrow pinch point around a too-small galley kitchen. We were equally certain we had a solution: move the narrow, tunnel-like stairs! He quickly identified a more significant challenge with our space. We had an awkward main floor layout (including the frustrating kitchen) and a great daylight basement we weren't using because it was cold, poorly laid out and depressing.

He is very experienced and could patiently explain why some of my brilliant ideas won't work. When we had trouble visualizing the feel of the main floor from the floor plans, he promptly produced 3D mockups using SketchUp so we could work together to improve the design to make sure it met our goals.

Dan stayed closely involved once remodeling started. He checked in on the project regularly, catching potential problems before they derailed the timeline. Dan's many years of experience also meant he could anticipate opportunities or fixes that cropped up during building, while the time he spent understanding our needs and preferences left him able to advocate for us and ensured we got the quality of build at the end of the project that he knew we should expect.

Dan was engaging and interested in us and paid careful attention to our preferences, but he kept things moving steadily along during the design phase at a pace that was right for us. It almost goes without saying: the outcome was fabulous thanks to Dan's thoughtful design. But just as importantly, Dan made the getting there fun, educational, and painless!“ Heather S. & Dave F.

Remodel of a beautiful-but-in-desperate-need-of-an-update Prairie style house originally built in 1923 in Seattle’s Mount Baker neighborhood.

Contractor: DLH, Inc.

Interior Designer: Colleen Knowles

Photography: Ludeman Photographic

”One of Dan’s greatest strengths is his ability to listen. Dan diligently worked to understand our desires and needs through regular communication (face-to-face, telephone and email.) He heard clearly what the needs of a family with children would be. His designs reflected thoughtful reflection on the living experience along with creative ways to highlight the original woodwork, windows and overall prairie craftsman aesthetic envisioned by the original architect. Dan also contributed significant architectural details that we would not have otherwise considered: skylight, interior columns, cabinetry details and other touches.”

Rob & Molly B.

This was a whole house remodel and addition to an original design built in 1969 by renowned architect Ralph Anderson. The project included adding more space, re-planning large areas, a new entry courtyard with steel and cast glass gates, plus all new electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems and interior finishes.

Contractor: DLH, Inc.

Photographs: DLH, Inc.

Built on a very narrow lot, this 5,370 s.f. new house [in all but most of the foundation] opens up to Meydenbauer Bay with a 28’-long fold-and-slide door on the main level. The interior features traditional details with a modern aesthetic.

Contractor: Peter J. Fowler Company

Photography: Deer Creek Media

The design directive for this 2,800 square foot new construction residence adjacent to the downtown core was to create an elegant home with the challenge of making a small home feel large. High ceilings, large windows and folding door systems expand the interior space seamlessly to the exterior terraces that provide both a private backyard oasis and views of the downtown skyline. The finishes, furnishings, detailing and craftsmanship add the elegance to this home.

Contractor: Stewart Builders

Photography: Deer Creek Media