BEFORE + AFTER

DESIGN DETAILS

To help clients visualize + effectively communicate with contractors and other vendors, here are a handful of project details from the Bothell House.

We’re so excited to share details from The Bothell House: Living Room –– one of our favorite projects in Bothell, Washington.

From a complete remodel of the entire downstairs to furnishing + styling each room, our clients wanted our help in creating a home that left the mid-1990’s craftsman style in the past + welcomed in a more modern version they could call home.

The newly remodeled living room of the Bothell, Washington house by interior design firm Elegant Simplicity.

In our assessment phase of their project, we spent a lot of time together really considering how our clients wanted to feel when the project was all said + done. Asking questions and discovering with them the true essence of home + how they wanted everyday life to unfold in their living room.

Given the proximity of the living room to the entryway, they wanted a space that created a great first impression. A space that felt inviting, comfortable + showed off their appreciation for quality. They knew that this would also be the room they retreated to when the little one finally tuckered out. It would be the place they’d choose to spend time together when they had a moment to enjoy a glass of wine, a good book, and some peace + quiet.

In general, they also wanted a home that felt approachable + lived-in. Because as much as they enjoy their adult-only time, they wanted to create a place where their family could grow up playing together, snuggling under warm blankets on the sofa, having small gatherings + creating memories that they’ll hold onto. In a nutshell, they didn’t want to worry about Dallas, their German Shepherd, jumping on the sofa –– who could blame them fido’s a part of the family too :)

And this living room my friend, of The Bothell House project, is a perfect expression of that intention.

This Bothell, Washington living room was completely redone from the millwork to the window drapery down to new carpets by the award-winning interior design firm, Elegant Simplicity.

With the information gathering complete, we moved onto designing the living room (what we refer to as the curation phase). Asking ourselves, how can we design a living room that is aesthetically desirable but meets both the functional necessities for how our client wants to live in the space + their emotional drivers?

And this my friend, is a process :)

One of the architectural styles that distinguish this space from the rest of the home is the sunken living room which calls your attention as the level change makes spaces feel more intimate than if they are on the same level as the rest of the home.

Because this project included remodeling, we knew we wouldn’t only refinish the hardwood floors throughout the downstairs + replace the carpet in the sunken living room but since we were removing the trim we’d also replace it with a flat-stock profile that gave us a clean + modern feel.

Speaking of millwork… Despite being a northwest craftsman, the living room was lacking any character-defining detail so we knew early on that we wanted to introduce some kind of millwork to the space. But, which wall?

Bothell, Washington interior design by Elegant Simplicity.

With the living room having two large openings (one to the entryway + the other to the dining room) as well as a large window that expands the distance of the bump-out, we landed on the back wall for two reasons: (1) it’s the main wall you see as you enter from the entry so it made for a great anchoring + (2) it was really the only wall with nothing going on so it could handle the character of board and batten.

Not to mention, the living room has extremely tall ceilings that would accentuate the vertical stiles of the board and batten.

Landing on a neutral color palette was key to creating the calm oasis our client desired. And we knew from the beginning that furniture + decorative accents like pillows, blankets, artwork, drapery, and greenery would breathe life into the living room + be the subtle pop of color.

Balancing the architecture of the home, northwest craftsman, with the modern luxuries we were adding in the remodel we selected a low profile sofa that combines straight lines with cozy details like side pillows, wood legs, and nailheads. From mortise-and-tenon joinery, down-blend cushions, to a fabric selected specifically for durability this sofa and two chairs are the perfect seating arrangement for balancing traffic flow and conversation.

We introduced black metal and wood finishes in the custom drapery and hardware as well as in the accent tables throughout the living room. Both create a subtle dimension to the overall feel of the space.

The chic black metal adds a bit of modern sophistication to the space, while the reclaimed wood top of the coffee table adds the uniqueness that comes with natural elements. To tie the black together, we incorporated a stone side table with an adjustable metal stand. And we reintroduced a wood sideboard with natural tones to balance the dark hardwood floors throughout the home + to pair beautifully with the coffee table.

We reincorporated black finishes in the lighting, introduced decorative accents that felt slightly weathered, worn, lived-in, and added texture to the space. The tabletops provided us with ample space to decorate with charming bowls, lanterns, candles, and floral that tied the entire living room together.

To finish off the Bothell House Living Room — the green and blue accents in the artwork, books, greenery, and even pillows throughout the living room are a biophilic approach to interior design. An intentionality to promote moments of physical and sensory feeling that connect us back to nature while in the living room.