Building a Mountain Home from the Earth

Building a mountain home often requires clearing trees. But our Bothell home designers opted for a different method in our Cedar Haven project. We cleared trees, yes, but then we recycled those trees to build the house both structurally and stylistically. In keeping with the homeowners’ vision, we evoked the aesthetic of a log cabin with contemporary …

Texture in Home Design

The art of architecture lies in the details. In how carefully selected materials can mimic forests and water within a home. In how a spiral staircase adds motion to an entryway. In how a living room’s soft wood floors can perfectly contrast with the stark limestone walls. Details matter. Texture matters. Texture—the result of carefully …

Integrating with the Outdoors

“All gardening is landscape painting.” William Kent Every detail of a home speaks to the artistry of the whole. Each fixture, window casing, and trim piece contributes to the story. It’s why we take care to consider every angle of a project. We want every space to mingle naturally with every other—including the outdoors. The …

Wood, Stone, and Water

As Seattle architects, we find ample inspiration in our natural surroundings. The Pacific Northwest’s mountains, coast, and evergreens create an ever-present sense of beauty, and we like nothing more than to bring that beauty into home architecture. Bellevue’s Wood, Stone, and Water project does just that. The Home Although settled in a Bellevue neighborhood, Wood, …

Building a Sense of Permanence

“Home” is a deeply personal concept. The visions, smells, sounds, and textures it conjures in the imagination are unique to each individual. It’s personal, yet it’s also universal. Maya Angelou writes that, “the ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” …

The Art of Staircase Design

Staircases can exist for more than mere function. They act as practical art, gorgeous storage, and gateways to new spaces. And since stairs dominate a considerable amount of space, why not be intentional in your home’s staircase design? Sculpted Stairs Seattle architect Scott Hommas takes seriously the art of architecture. He crafts every inch of …

5 Luxury Home Renovations

Remodels are exciting opportunities to take old, storied homes and breathe new life into them. We’ve done countless such transformations in our 30 year history. Here are a few of our favorite home renovations. Ratio House Ratio House is came to us as a dated, 1970s split level home that failed to take advantage of …

Custom Design Fosters Healthy Homes

More than ever, healthy homes are a priority. No two lives are the same, after all, and environmental needs vary from person to person. Custom home designs allow homeowners to create and build homes that cater to their unique health needs. We’ve gathered a few ideas for healthy homes. Updated Kitchen for Healthier Habits Many …

Contemporary Design in a Custom Vanity

The master bathroom serves as a launch point for the day and a safe space to unwind before bed. It’s a place of necessity, yes. But it can also be a place of comfort, luxury, elegance…even art. Ratio House’s custom vanity provides a superb example of purposeful home art. Contemporary Design Redmond architect Curtis Gelotte …

The Art of Arched Doorways

That’s the thing with curves. While most architecture is rectilineal – all straight lines and squared angles – curves are often designed to soften a building’s impact, help the structure meld into the surrounding landscape. That’s why curves work particularly well near bodies of water, reflecting that sense of fluidity, or in rural and mountain …