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Lakeview is located on Big Lake in Mount Vernon, a small community just an hour from Seattle, Washington. The home was commissioned by a Californian recently moving to the Pacific Northwest.
In the homeowner’s northern migration, they brought their love for indoor-outdoor living to the design brief. They wanted to be sure that the home-to-be would feature innovative functions and flexible interior-exterior modularity so that during the summer months, one could increase living space, weather permitting.
The client also intends this residence to be their forever home where they can age gracefully and pass it on to their children. In doing so, the design accommodates additional accessories that make the home more practical for aging bodies, but in a way that doesn’t detract from the home’s aesthetic.
In ensuring the client can enjoy their dream home for as long as possible, the design features space for a small elevator, stair lifts, and a home workout room. In doing so, the stars were widened, and ramps were added where possible.
Indoor-Outdoor Living: Adapting to Summer Months
The owner also requested that the home feature sliders that open the back of the house to the deck. The deck faces Big Lake with almost 180-degree views; it was essential for the client to make the most of the beautiful location whenever possible.
The home sits on a downward slope, offering privacy from the quiet street. Though large at 4,317 square feet, the house sits in a way that doesn’t obstruct the views of its neighbors and sits comfortably on the hillside.
The home’s cladding takes inspiration from its surroundings, using local colors and raw wood materials wherever possible. The design was inspired by Frank Llyod Wright’s Prairie style homes (A style invented by the architect in 1900), and the result is both classic and contemporary. Inspiration from his work meant the home must meld aspects of the arts and crafts movement that came before, the environment that surrounds it, and simplicity that will carry the house well into the 21st century and beyond like the homes that inspired it.
We would like to think that Lakeview’s design will serve the test of time and carry itself well into tomorrow so the client’s descendants may enjoy it or whoever may call Lakeview home.