Deciding to build or remodel a home usually starts with big picture ideas such as the footprint of the house and how many stories. Once the large elements are hashed out the real fun begins: details. One detail that can often be overlooked is the staircase. Yes, its main function is to connect one level …

Dark wood paneling, books to the ceiling, and robust leather chairs are the hallmarks of a home library. These spaces function as intimate meeting rooms and private sanctuaries. They can be quite grand or more on the cozy side and house more than just books. We’re fond of these bookish spaces. They’re opportunities to merge …

It seems to get harder and harder every day to find parking. Big cities and small town alike just don’t have space for all our cars. At home, however, there should always be ample parking. And if you build a dream garage, then there always will be. Whether you have a classic car collection or …

Food is a necessity. We must eat to live, but we can also eat to celebrate, spend time together, or commiserate. Now that the holiday season has begun, our minds turn to how we plan to accommodate all of our guests. Do we have enough room for everyone? Are there enough seats at our table …

Relaxing in a steaming hot bath is a wonderful feeling after battling the cold and rain of winter. And if that bath happens to be in a beautiful luxury bathroom then all the better. Here are three examples of bathtubs, and their accompanying bathrooms, that create a special space for rejuvenation. A claw foot bathtub …

Sunlight is a requirement for life. So why wouldn’t you let as much light into your home as possible? Big beautiful windows brighten a home and have the added benefit of offering nearly unobstructed views. Below are three examples of Seattle homes that use windows to brighten and enliven their main living area. Windows and …

Curb appeal may be a hot buzzword, but it is true that the visual impact of a home sets the tone for what is inside. Should the entrance to your home be large and monumental, giving a sense of opulence and grandeur? Or would something more understated and contemporary fit the home better? Here are …

Winter may be fast approaching but that does not mean we can’t dream about the day spring will arrive and we can sit out on the patio with a glass of lemonade and a book. In fact, if you are thinking about adding or remodeling your outdoor living space for next summer, now is a …

When one thinks of a romantic meadow, concrete walls and chrome finishes rarely come to mind. However, Gelotte Hommas’ Redmond residential architects designed House in a Mountain Meadow as a stunning example of a how a contemporary design aesthetic can be both industrial and warm, modern and romantic. Below are several design features that make …

Dreaming of a spa-like master bath? Gelotte Hommas’ Meydenbauer architects designed a stunner of a bathroom in their Cape Cod inspired home, Northeast by Northwest. Here are some of the design features that make this beautiful bathroom so enviable:   A dramatic ceiling brings a touch of romance. Traditional Cape Cod’s include sharply steepled roofs. …