Seattle’s neighborhoods brim with history, yet only a select few homes possess the kind of beauty that commands reverence through the decades. Lakeville Homes by SoBella recently unveiled a renovation of a 1912 Craftsman located near the shores of Lake Union—a project that not only modernizes but lovingly respects the home’s storied past. Originally owned by a renowned terrazzo artisan, this enchanting two-story home boasts Italian terrazzo inlaid flooring and a show-stopping fireplace, each as intricately detailed as the home’s original bones.

Breathing New Life into a Timeless Treasure

The family, two busy professionals and their teenage daughters, have an active lifestyle rooted in Seattle’s unique landscape and endless outdoor pursuits. For Lakeville, the mission was clear but complex: reconfigure the upstairs to turn one crowded bathroom into two, remodel the kitchen and dining areas, remove a furnace to expand space, build a new back deck, upgrade the lighting, install all-new windows, and refinish the original hardwoods. The home also received fresh interior paint on the main and upper floors, as well as exterior painting. A tall order, but one that accomplished with precision and a commitment to craftsmanship.

High-End Touches

This project melds luxury with functionality, featuring standout design elements like a Kraus Turino farmhouse single-basin fireclay sink, a Downdraft Bosch range hood, and a Bosch 36-inch five-burner induction cooktop with AutoChef®. Sleek quartz slab countertops provide a striking focal point in the kitchen, perfectly complemented by custom shaker-style cabinetry, finished in “White Dove” on the perimeter and a rich “Morning Coffee” stain on the island. The result? A space that invites both culinary adventures and intimate family gatherings.

Preserving Character

Honoring the legacy of a classic home while updating it for contemporary living requires a delicate touch and some creative solutions. The terrazzo inlay, a nod to the home’s original artisan owner, was meticulously sanded and repolished, bringing it back to its original luster. Lakeville also salvaged vintage hardware from local reuse stores to match existing pieces, preserving the home’s authentic Craftsman character. A keen eye was essential to blend the new with the old, especially with features like plaster and lath walls, where precision in blending transitions was important.

Overcoming Challenges

Undertaking a renovation in a century-old home brought some challenges. Access to the site, for example, was often obstructed by Seattle’s difficult neighborhood parking. During the wet Seattle December, Lakeville had to remove part of the roof while the family continued to reside there—an impressive feat in rainy conditions.

The team also faced structural challenges, such as replacing a central post in the kitchen with a larger beam to open sightlines, a task that required careful attention to detail to ensure integration within the existing architecture. One significant adjustment involved removing a fireplace that was taking up a large portion of the eating area. This not only created more room for family dining but also freed up valuable space in the backyard, allowing for the construction of a redesigned deck. The removal required reframing and sheet rocking inside and out to seamlessly blend with the existing structure.

Another challenge was handling the presence of asbestos in the home’s old siding, a common issue in homes of this age. Lakeville opted for a careful approach to encapsulate rather than remove all the asbestos-laden shingles, matching the unique character of the old siding to maintain the historical integrity of the exterior.

Thoughtful Finishes

The primary bath now includes heated flooring, an indulgent touch that adds warmth to chilly Seattle mornings. Kohler accessories elevate both bathrooms, while lighting selections from Rejuvenation, Cedar & Moss, and Schoolhouse bring a curated and contemporary vibe to each room. The original hardwood flooring was sanded and refinished, a nod to the home’s timeless style.

Crafting Excellence

In an era when budget and timeline overruns are commonplace, Lakeville managed to maintain an impressive track record on this project, staying on budget and on schedule—except where thoughtful additions to the project by the homeowner required a modest extension. The family’s evolving vision inspired thoughtful additions to the project’s scope, which Lakeville incorporated without compromising the original timeline or budget. This flexibility reflects Lakeville’s client-first approach, balancing accuracy and adaptability to deliver a remodeled Craftsman that exceeds every expectation.

The family’s newly remodeled Craftsman is a testament to the art of appreciating the past while embracing the future. Lakeville has crafted a space that honors the home’s 1912 origins while outfitting it with luxuries a bustling family might need and enjoy. Just as rewarding as the transformation itself was the journey of working closely with the homeowners, whose vision and collaboration brought the project to life. For the Lakeville team, it’s not just about building beautiful homes, it’s about building lasting relationships. Here’s to a home that will continue to charm its owners and all who visit for generations to come.