Mercer Island Indoor/Outdoor Kitchen Renovation Stunner

This project is a stunning transformation of a Mercer Island kitchen, dining and outdoor kitchen space, also with a big upgrade for the primary bathroom. Designed by ID by Gwen and built by Bright Work Builders, this renovation offers a spacious kitchen that flows into the dining room and outdoor space with a bright and natural feeling. When I arrived on site, the homeowner had just finished a swim in Lake Washington. Over the course of the shoot I could sense the unity between the design of the space with the lifestyle of its inhabitants.

With plenty of counter space (a beautiful stone!) and a large pass-through window to the outdoor kitchen, this space begs for hosting gatherings and enjoying quality time in the beautiful Seattle climate. The covered outdoor kitchen nearly doubles the footprint of the initial space. Gary of BrightWork Builders explained how the entire roof line was extended to accommodate this new kitchen, though from a glance it appears to have been there from the start.

The kitchen has a mostly white design, with a beautiful blue island to break up the visuals. The glass pendant light fixtures act as the finishing touches and really bring the space to life. A vase of hydrangeas perfectly brought together the tones of the light fixtures and the island, with the slightly gray countertops.

An added bonus to this beautiful project, the primary bathroom got a beautiful upgrade. The blue theme carried through upstairs with a deep cobalt tile with a subtle pattern and all new cabinetry, soaking bathtub and large glass shower stall.

Enjoy this beautiful renovation!

A Desert Oasis in Vantage | Seattle Interior Photographer

Sometimes a little change of scenery is the key to refreshing your whole outlook. It’s easy to feel far away when you head east over the pass to Vantage, WA. Home to The Gorge, many wineries (including Cave B), and stunning desert scenery, you can take in desert sun and colors without traveling southwest.

This new vacation rental, The Wild Horse, is perched on the shore of the Columbia River with sweeping views in all directions from the rooftop deck. The sky is so open. It’s easy to forget you’re so close to Seattle with these vast landscapes.

The desert color palette is brought indoors throughout this bright short term rental home. With tall ceilings and abundant natural light, each room brings its own vibe of desert oasis (and its own attached bathroom!). The black accent walls in two of the rooms make for striking backdrops to the bright accent pillows and cow skull decor. Most unexpected is the family rec room with wall-to-wall window views of the surroundings. From this room, head upstairs to the rooftop sunset deck to take in the changing sky as the sun sinks over the mountain behind the house.

Traveling kids and adults alike will enjoy the party garage with ping pong and other games and a projector for movie nights next to the custom mural. There are musical posters all over the house with special nods to Tom Petty, Neil Young, and other musical pillars of rock.

Perhaps the coolest feature of the entire house is the custom crochet hat wall in the dining area. Made to be interacted with, you can pop out a chic hat for all your desert vibing, or just enjoy for a quick group selfie.

You can book this spot on Airbnb now!

Edgy-Glam Seattle Home featured in Wall Street Journal | Seattle Interiors Photographer

The Queen Anne neighborhood in Seattle is full of gorgeous old craftsman homes, tree-lined streets, and the sweetest little downtown neighborhood. When we first moved to Seattle in 2014, we were completely enchanted with the area and settled in for our first year. Taking long walks around the top perimeter of the hill, we’d take in the stunning views of the Seattle skyline and the Puget Sound, reveling in our decision to relocate to the Pacific Northwest. The area near Kerry Park was our favorite to stroll, so it felt very full circle to photograph a beautiful home in that same neighborhood for Wall Street Journal recently.

Designed by K+L Interiors and contracted by Blue Sound Construction, this edgy-glam Seattle home blends together some of the classic design of the 20th century with some strikes of modernity that give the home such a luxe and modern feel. The black drapery in the primary suite is stunning in contrast to the bright view out the window. The crown jewel of this space is the epic top floor great room which features a large walk-out deck that takes in the Seattle skyline and water to mountain views.

See the full Wall Street Journal article here.

Design: K+L Interiors

Contractor: Blue Sound Construction

Lapis Lane Cabins | Seattle Airbnb Photographer

Heading over to Whidbey Island always feels so exhilarating to me. I have so many great memories, from spending my first Seattle birthday with my husband there many years ago (and screaming 25 and aliiiive! out of the sunroof of the car), to day trips taken with our kids. It’s where our first started walking in a cozy cabin tucked way into the woods. He sat on the stone fireplace hearth and just stood up and walked away! We’ve also taken family from out of town when we really want to impress them with quaintness and views for days.

Needless to say I was thrilled at the opportunity to capture Lapis Lane Cabins in all their Whidbey glory. Also tucked away in a beautiful forest (isn’t everything over there?), this property has three magical structures that have been incredibly and artfully detailed by the owners Elaine and Dimitri. Artists in method and execution, they’ve created a magical experience in both interior and exterior. Elaine is a talented landscape designer and gardener and the grounds are so magical, with moody outdoor bathtubs and showers to hammocks under mature trees. Inside a renovated barn is a window-clad room filled with natural light and reflecting the greenery of the surrounding property. They’ve been Airbnb hosts forever, and have a true passion for hosting.

Photographing these spaces was such a joy. I was free to create in accordance with the feeling of each space. There is a time and a place for bright and crisp images, and there’s also a time to honor the feeling of a space and translate that in a photograph. This latter approach has become my closer calling lately. If a room is close and cozy it should be portrayed that way, allowing for the viewer to really imagine a peaceful afternoon spent reading on a porch rocking chair with a quiet bedroom just behind reach.

I hope you enjoy this beautiful property!