Design house: A Mid-century modern home, overlooking Lake Washington
This contemporary home was remodelled and updated with a blend of Southern California modernism and Pacific Northwest woodcraft.

This light and bright space is a Mid-century home located on a 15,539-square-foot hillside lot in Mercer Island, Washington, overlooking Lake Washington.
THE PROPERTY
The original house had great bones but was disconnected from the outdoors. Wittman Estes wanted to give the family a way to live outside and connect with their Southern California roots. Originally built in 1969, the post and beam structure had fallen into disrepair, and had a layout that was out of sync with the casual modern lifestyle for a young family with two children.
The owner is Melanie Owen, a fashion designer with a keen interest in interior design and outdoor living. Originally from Southern California, her design sensibilities were rooted in SoCal surfer culture and the casual and open vibes of beach living. Both Melanie and her husband, Matt, work in fashion and clothing and have deep interests in texture, materiality, and a spaces with a comfortable lived-in feeling.
LIVING ROOM
Melanie’s roots in Southern California brought a love for bright, light tones, and simple open spaces. Together with the architect, this vibe was mixed with Pacific Northwest traditions of wood tones and highly crafted built-in furniture. The goal was to create spaces that had both the qualities of Southern California modernism with a warmer, high quality carpentry that the Puget Sound region is known for.
See:Design house: A coastal home located on a historic lagoon, designed by Julie Rootes
OPEN-PLAN KITCHEN
The outdoor deck has a ipe decking and built in seating. Cedar slat walls screen the neighboring houses while allowing the sunlight to filter through the screens. The kitchen was reconfigured to orient to the outdoors encourage an easy connection between the living room, dining room, and outdoor space. A concrete and glass stair connect the upper terrace to the garden and landscape.
See:Design house: This traditional home in California has been given a modern update
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
GARDEN
'We sought to connect the spaces in so the family could be relaxed and cruise barefoot going indoors and out', says Wittman. The breezy and lightweight feeling of the material palette encourages the family to step outside and connect with the sunlight and views over Lake Washington and towards the downtown Seattle skyline.
EXTERIOR
The outdoor terrace is kept private from the street, while affording generous views to the Lake and beyond.
Architect/ Wittman EstesInterior design/ Matt Wittman AIA LEED AP/ Jody Estes/ Hayley SniderStructural Engineer/ Josh WelchEngineering Builder/ Treebird Construction

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for several years in both the US and UK, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing and occasionally dabbles in the social media, commercial, and the e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling houses designed by some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances, and even writing a few news stories or two.
-
I just unlearned this key design lesson – you can actually put things in front of a window and here's how designers use this space to maximize style and function
Interior designers bust the myth on not blocking windows
-
How to grow a nutmeg tree – professional gardeners reveal the secrets behind cultivating the tropical evergreen for treasured spice
You can get two highly-prized spices from one tree if you live in a warm climate
-
This rustic farmhouse was the designer's first project outside of the city – the result is a lesson in blending country and contemporary
Angus Reid Projects balances the rustic style of this English country home with a contemporary, pared-back interior inspired by mid-century design
-
Mid-century by the sea – this vacation home reveals a contemporary take on British coastal style
Sepia-toned fabrics, darkened steel, and swathes of rich wood have given this mid-century home a timeless elegance that belies its age
-
Jake Arnold, one of the world's best designers, created a relaxed sophistication in this Mid-century California ranch remodel
Designer Jake Arnold has made quiet luxury an art form, and here, his ability to produce subtle yet standout schemes truly shines
-
English charm, mid-century modern and East Coast poise all inspired the interiors for this happy and stylish home
Designer Analisse Taft-Gersten brings London townhouse style to her historic Greenwich CT home, and adds a modern twist
-
This Manhattan apartment's midcentury modern makeover has extra wow factor
A busy New York exec asked her interior designer for a home office with a good zoom backdrop. Here's what happened
-
This mid-century modern home is a design love letter to 1970s chic
This ultra-stylish home in New Jersey proves that mid-century style isn't just for the West Coast crowd...
-
This mid century gem's clever remodel maximizes views of the outdoor space
Perfectly preserved, this contemporary take on mid century style is masterful
-
Gossip Girl's Alice Callahan's home makes mid-century modern family-friendly
The modern farmhouse-style new build is super stylish yet practical for her young family