Art Serves As Guiding Force For This Lakeside Home

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contemporary entrance wood and metal...

The entrance to this Lake Washington home was designed to be a work of art unto itself. Architect Jim Olson designed the wood-and-metal door, which is framed by a glass installation by local husband-and-wife artists Benjamin and Debora Moore. The framed glass orchids reference the clients' love for the flower.

contemporary entry foyer colorful glass...

Upon arrival to the home, guests are immediately greeted with an assemblage of work from Northwest masters. En route to the commissioned Dale Chihuly glass installation at the end of the hall, one will pass a Kenneth Callahan work on the left, and on the right, Guy Anderson's oil painting Portrait in the Sun, a John Buck carved koa-wood sculpture, and Paul Horiuchi's abstract collage Wood and Motion. Underfoot is a carpet from Stacy Logan.

contemporary main hallway mixed media...

The home's living spaces branch off a main circulation spine. A mixed media sculpture, Llama, by Sherry Markovitz, hangs above the fireplace along the hallway. In a cozy alcove across from it, the family room is decorated in subtle grays and blues. Avenue Road armchairs covered in Manuel Canovas fabric flank a coffee table fabricated by Big Leaf Manufacturing.

contemporary living room colorful artwork...

Osborne & Little fabric covers the Donghia swivel chairs and Holly Hunt sofa in the living room. Above the fireplace hangs a William Ivey oil. Commanding attention above the bench is a William Ingham work while a Danny Perkins glass piece looks out to the view. The carpet is by Tai Ping.

contemporary kitchen neutral minimal granite...

As in the rest of the house, Olson kept the design of the kitchen sleek and minimal. The refrigerator and freezer are SubZero; the range and wall ovens are Wolf, and the hood is Vent-A-Hood. Costa Esmeralda granite from Pental Surfaces tops the counters.

contemporary dining room glass top...

In the dining room, a custom built-in light fixture sets the tone for the space. The clients' own dining table, which was refinished with a new glass top from Herzog Glass, is complemented by Andreu World chairs. Above the buffet hangs Matsuri, a paint-ink-and-collage four-fold screen by Paul Horiuchi.

contemporary sitting area gray sofa...

Behind the Holly Hunt Studio couch, a glass sculpture by Robin Grebe can be seen through the window as can the gardens by landscape architect Randy Allworth. On the rift white-oak cabinetry by O.B. Williams Company with nickel-plated detailing by Georgetown Metal Works, which appears throughout the home, sits more of the owners' art glass collection. The flooring is by EBHF.

contemporary living room neutral sculptures

In the corner of the living room The Crosshead, a kiln-cast, polished-red glass sculpture by Stanislav Libensky and Jaroslava Brychtova is placed next to William Morris's sculptural Canopic Jar: Eland. The design team was able to display the large art glass collection near windows without concerns over UV damage.

contemporary bedroom shades of rose...

Shades of rose distinguish the master bedroom from the public areas of the home. Upholstered in Donghia fabric, the bed is topped with a custom Pollack silk coverlet. Above it hangs Itsu Variation, a mixed-media sculpture by Pam Beyette.

contemporary bedroom shades of rose...

The master bedroom, which frames a view of Mount Rainier, is at lake level, creating the feeling of floating on the water itself. In the room's sitting area is a table crafted by Mayer Designs flanked by Moroso armchairs.

There’s something to be said for hometown loyalty — and the owners of a property on the shores of Seattle’s Lake Washington have that in spades.

After all, the design of their home, by architecture firm Olson Kundig, was driven by the art of the Northwest masters–think Guy Anderson, Paul Horiuchi, Dale Chihuly and Nancy Mee to name just a few. And the art isn’t simply on display in their gallery-esque home; architect Jim Olson took the concept of integrating art into the home literally.

Several works were incorporated into the construction of the home, including the front-door glass installation (a collaboration between husband-and-wife artists Benjamin and Debora Moore).

With such stunning pieces, it was necessary for the home to feel warm and inviting, while letting the art take center stage. “The architecture is light and neutral to provide a quiet backdrop for the art,” says Olson. Light woods, lustrous materials and cool colors–soft gray and blue furnishings throughout, with a touch of pink in the master bedroom–exemplify what’s on view.

True to the concept of embracing their community, the couple encourages visitors to enjoy their collection, hosting tours, fundraisers and the like. “This is a home for two people,” says Olson, “but it is also a place where art enthusiasts gather.”