Looking at this Federal-style residence on Seattle’s Capitol Hill nestled comfortably among its built neighbors—houses that date back to the early 1920s—it might come as a surprise to learn that the dwelling is new. It exists because of one family’s love affair with the iconic neighborhood. “What’s special about this project is the owners’ personal connection to this place and their desire to build a traditional home that would fit within the rich context of the location,” says architect James Romano. The couple, who have three daughters, had outgrown their previous abode in the area, but didn’t want to leave the “old homes, and the mature parks and trees,” the husband says.
When they purchased the site, it contained a duplex. Although early conversations centered around converting that structure into a single-family residence, ultimately it made more sense to rebuild entirely. However, Romano and architect Suzanne Findley were able to salvage and rework some elements from the original building, such as leaded-glass windows that became cabinet doors.
“The design balances classic detailing and ornamentation—decorative trim, columns and balconies—with an open and airy quality inside,” Findley notes. Working with general contractor Michael Bellan, who Findley describes as a “true craftsman,” the architects followed the traditional concept of placing formal enclosed rooms at the front of the abode and more informal open rooms at the back, with a stairwell that filters light in the center. “Seattle is a dark city for much of the year, and the house we moved from lacked light, even in the summer, so we asked James and Suzanne to focus on maximizing daylight,” the husband says, noting his appreciation for features like the dining room’s retractable glass doors that open to the backyard.
“Our former house was quite small for our family of five and two big dogs,” the wife adds. “This was our opportunity to create a home that would give us the breathing room we all wanted, as well as more space for family and friends.” To that end, Romano and Findley designed a spacious living room (“Our old piano was a small upright, so our wish list included space for a bigger model,” the wife says), a generous kitchen with a large banquette (“It gets great morning sun and the entire family can gather there while meals are prepared,” she adds), a downstairs media room, and a loft-like top-floor lounge for the kids. Porches, decks and balconies open the structure to breezes and views, adding to the airy feel.
To enhance the “light and bright” ambience the owners sought, interior designer Benni Adams devised an earthy palette inspired by the veining in the white marble she and the wife sourced on a trip to Carrara, Italy. “That stone, and the desire for a checkerboard floor in the entryway, were the foundational elements of the design,” Adams explains. “From there, they wanted to enhance the architecture with midcentury classics and contemporary furnishings, as opposed to antiques, because they didn’t want the house to feel heavy, dark or overdone.”
Working alongside principal Amy Lassila and now-retired principal Barbara Hyde Evans, Adams wove the marble’s subtle hues throughout the interiors. The living room sofas were upholstered with a gray-blue velvet, the kitchen cabinets received a coat of blue paint, the powder room was papered in a green chinoiserie, and the couple’s offices were given a wash of color from walls to ceilings—a dusty pink for her and a library-inspired green for him. “It was all about creating balance and warmth throughout the home,” Adams says of the palette. In the primary bedroom, she returned to rich blues and warm grays for a soothing, restful aura.
What can’t be underestimated about this refined dwelling is its extraordinary robustness. It’s not often that architects and designers need to factor a pair of Great Danes into their planning. “That was a big consideration for the furnishings!” Adams says. “The pets are part of the family, so everyone knew that no matter how formal our living or dining rooms, there would likely be two large dog beds on the floor,” the husband adds. And, when 170-pound dogs get the zoomies, landscape architect Kenneth Philp developed a garden that lets them circumnavigate the house at top speed. But in truth, the dogs’ favorite nook is the same as their humans’—curled up in front of the fireplace, at home in the neighborhood they all love.
