Second Story Addition Transforms Family Home
Architect: Studio La Ru Architects
Location: Ballard, Seattle, WA
Scope: Second Story Addition (3 bed, 2 bath), Main Floor and Exterior Remodel
Sustainability: Low-VOC paint, 80-90% recycle rate, energy-efficient ventilation fans and cooling system, CRI Green Label Plus carpeting, Energy Star windows
Many homeowners, at some point, find themselves needing more space. Whether it’s a growing family, an aging relative moving in or the desire for a home office, space can be a major point of frustration. The result is a internal debate about selling a home versus remodeling—the list of pros and cons is long. Yet, if you love your neighborhood and your home is in good condition for a second story addition, remodeling could be your best option.
In today’s hot real estate market, more and more Seattle homeowners are choosing to add on to their home instead of searching for a new one. Remodeling, especially at a large scale, gives you the opportunity to completely customize your home’s layout and design. For this growing family, it allowed them to add a significant amount of space (3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms) to their bungalow, while updating the rest of the existing home to match their taste.
The home addition was designed in a very thoughtful way. Instead of completely changing the aesthetic of the home, the addition and remodel worked within the bounds of the original style. Vintage features, such as the portico and beveled glass basement door, were kept in place and simply updated. A more contemporary paint color combination, as well as matte black stair railing, add a touch of modernism. Inside, the same attention to reuse and match styles was given. The homeowners were able to move back in before the birth of their first child, and can now rest easy knowing their family has room to grow within their Ballard home.
Photos: Cindy Apple Photography
Before & After
In older homes exist two areas that are often the last to be updated: the attic and the basement. This home renovation successfully filled both spaces with increased utility and modern finishes. The wood-paneled attic was redesigned to feature a more defined bedroom and bright new bathroom. The basement renovation consisted of moving the washer and dryer into a small utility room to free up the main area for extra living space. The two alterations, up an down, transformed this family home.
Upstairs, adding a second floor bathroom required a dormer addition to create the space and headroom required for a shower. Per city code, at least 6 feet, 8 inches of height is needed at the showerhead and plumbing fixtures. For rooms with sloped ceilings, the code also requires a ceiling height of no less than 5 feet and at least 50% of the floor area to have no less than 7 feet of ceiling height. In order to build to code, we often recommend dormer additions to the top floor of a residence. By positioning the showerhead on the tallest wall, the bathroom feels large despite still having a sloped ceiling. A large Velux skylight also gives the room a sense of plentiful space, but has a simple pleated shade should extra privacy be desired.
The bathroom design is a warm, neutral palette set atop a lively patterned floor. A wood vanity and cubby knobs add natural texture against solid color walls. Despite having little space, we were able to incorporate a small linen cubby adjacent to the sink. The cubby, vanity and recessed medicine cabinet provide ample storage space. The sconces combine the two finishes of the space, matte black and polished nickel, to bring the look altogether. A thermostat for the heated bathroom floors is next to the light switch, adding extra warmth to the space in the cooler months.
In the basement, the laundry was moved to a small storage room near the bottom of the stairs. The laundry room is now a useful, out-of-the-way area with a built-in washer/dryer, clothes drying rack, cabinet storage and utility sink. It is also a more natural entry and exit point to the adjoining garage. By repositioning the laundry room we opened up the main basement space to become a sizable den. The stairway received a small facelift as well with the addition of white tongue and groove boards on the wall.
The updates up and down have transformed two tired spaces into usable floors of the home. We love helping Seattle homeowners find new life in their homes through smart and stylish home renovations. If you have an upcoming project, read more about our remodeling process and contact us today to learn more.
Photos: Cindy Apple Photography
