Century-Old Colonial Gets a Classic Refresh That Opens Up Lake Views

This century-old colonial revival in Seattle got more than just a facelift when it was remodeled: The Capitol Hill residence also got a great kitchen, fabulous bathrooms and a new, sweeping view toward Lake Union.

Colonial Revival House Renovation by Ryan Rhodes Designs baby room

You would think that any house in such a location would have been planned to capitalize on beautiful views, but that was not the case with this home, which was built in 1910. And, while the location is amazing, the kitchen, bathrooms and overall flow were definitely not so. 

A Fusion of Classic and Fresh

That’s where Ryan Rhodes Designs came in and transformed the vision of the homeowners into a reality: a spectacular newly revamped home. The residence still has its most significant architectural details intact, but it now boasts improved foot traffic flow, a light, bright and updated kitchen and new bathrooms. But, the most amazing new feature is actually one that the house always had — a great view, which can now be appreciated from the floor-through third story addition and a large roof deck.

Colonial Revival House Renovation by Ryan Rhodes Designs baby room

Rhodes undertook the project with Ore Studios and together they transformed the 5,600 square-foot home. Not only did the homeowners get more living space and functionality, they also now have a home that reflects their personalities and is reflective of the period but with some modern twists.

Choosing a Glamorous Palette

To achieve the home’s glamorous, colorful aesthetic, the designers from Ore created a complex palette of hues, encompassing warm gray, aqua, pale blue, blush and olive. these colors are used throughout the home. As already noted, the materials and details are decidedly fitting for the period of the house, however, the plumbing and lighting choices are more current and give the home a relevant and fresh feel.

Adding a Touch of Modern 

In all the rooms, the furnishings chosen skewed toward the modern style end of the spectrum, reflecting the personalities of the clients in each space. In fact, as you move upwards through the home, each successive floor has a decor aesthetic that is increasingly contemporary.

Colonial Revival House Renovation by Ryan Rhodes Designs baby room

This fresh take on the classic colonial revival entryway gives visitors a hint of the style and color palette they will find throughout the house. While the GP & J Baker strié wallpaper is done in a darker blue, the ceiling is eyecatching because it is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Pale Smoke. The light-colored rug from Driscoll Robbins Fine Carpets adds a subtle touch of pattern in the otherwise solid-colored space. 

All the public rooms feature ceilings painted in a pale blush that help transform the light into a flattering shade. 

Colonial Revival House Renovation by Ryan Rhodes Designs baby room

The classic look continues in the living room, and custom millwork helps pull together the details. The larger furnishings, which include a Carl Hansen & Søn wing chair and De La Espada coffee table, which come from Inform Interiors. The armless chair next to the piano is from Room & Board. Large floor-to-ceiling windows are done with trimmed draperies in Wool Challis by Coraggio.

Colonial Revival House Renovation by Ryan Rhodes Designs baby room

The updated kitchen is a stunning combination of just enough classic architectural elements and fresh colors and modern pieces. For the countertops and the central island, the design features honed Carrara marble, from Meta Marble & Granite. The cabinetry is painted with Benjamin Moore’s Gray Mist and features hardware from Rocky Mountain Hardware.

Colonial Revival House Renovation by Ryan Rhodes Designs baby room

The new bathroom, which has a grand view of Lake Union, features tile on the floor as well as the wall. The modern style features pale colors, accented with slightly more saturated gray and blue hues in the rug and stools. The large, open shower space is to die for.

Colonial Revival House Renovation by Ryan Rhodes Designs baby room

Feeling rather cozy, the master bedroom is filled with textures and a bit more color variations than the other spaces. In addition to the bed, the chest and nightstands are from Room & Board while the lamp and overhead light fixture are from Visual Comfort. Ethereal curtains framing the double window, which also has a shade for privacy and sleep. The Gubi chair comes from Inform Interiors.

Colonial Revival House Renovation by Ryan Rhodes Designs baby room

Thanks to the gentle colors used throughout the home, the baby nursery can easily fit into the color scheme. Pale blue walls and the watery colors of the rug are paired with upholstery and the blind that feature patterns in a rich, earthy brown.