Ty McNeill and David Banks were looking for a midcentury modern home in the Kirkland or Bellevue area to remodel. After a few months of searching and several multiple offer situations, they found their home and began the renovation process of bringing modern day touches while maintaining the midcentury modern appeal. They spent three years on the remodel process, making minor and major updates throughout the house including replacing the roof, adding on to the master bedroom and bathroom, tearing down walls, and adding beams for an open concept layout that flows throughout.
The 4 bedroom home is located at 12945 74th Place NE in Kirkland, Washington and was just listed for $1,300,000 with Heidi Ward and 360Modern. It was originally built in 1962 and has since been home to several owners who each put their individual touch on the home creating a mishmash of styles and decades throughout the house.
The project was a serious undertaking, but Ty and David are no remodel rookies. This is their 6th house they have worked on, but with a home with this many previous owners, Dave described the process as “peeling back the layers of an onion.” Each layer presented its own unique challenges, from varying design styles to unexpected DIY renovation conundrums. They took each in stride, repairing or redoing any issues the project revealed.
So why dive into a home of this style and built so long ago? Midcentury modern had always appealed to Ty and Dave. They enjoy the lines you see in typical midcentury homes, the colors, and, of course, the connection to nature. Their Kirkland home appealed to them because of the airiness and natural light coming from so many angles, a feature of the home that had to stay throughout the remodel. The original vinyl windows have all been replaced with double-paned, wood clad windows for a more efficient home overall. The doors were also updated or replaced to regulate the interior temperature.
The central fireplace was also a big draw to David as he first walked through the house. Another eye-catching feature they knew they had to keep in the renovation was the tongue-and-groove ceiling and dark beams. Each of these is now highlighted in the home by thoughtful updates chosen to maintain the overall aesthetic.
Davide and Ty found inspiration for the new design of the home in a variety of sources, not least of which was a longtime love and appreciation of the style. The home itself was a major inspiration. In fact, the first thing you see as you enter the home, the front door, was used as a central piece in the final design aesthetic.
The color of the exterior of the home, a dark navy, was inspired by a Portland home Ty saw in a magazine. Many midcentury modern homes are painted dark grey, charcoal, or light blue, but the uniqueness of navy was too good for Ty to pass up, “It was a bold choice, but I was confident it would work out. I wanted something risky, something that would pop from the trees on the lot. The dark wood turned out really lovely.”
The interior details came from hours of pouring over images online and in magazines. Something small would jump out at them and then they would determine if it could fit into their home. But they didn’t do it by themselves. Their inspirations and ideas were seamlessly brought together by Brio Interior Design, a company they David and Ty highly recommend.
The goal was to create an open concept with clean lines and a warm aesthetic using modern materials that would be used if the home was built today. An architect was called in to work on the master bedroom and bathroom expansion as well as adding a pool bathroom, changing room, and an outdoor shower. The front room and kitchen were originally closed off, but they added a 25-foot structural steel beam to open it up.
In addition to updating the interior of the home, the couple put time into updating the landscaping and backyard around the pool as well. The front landscaping was all redone including new lighting and new hardscape leading up to the front door. They replaced the driveway, the walls on either side of the driveway, and even the pavers in the front.
In the backyard, they removed and replaced all the concrete around the pool and replaced with a patio and a large grassy area. They also updated the pool filter, heater, and chlorine system. Creating an outdoor area that is as fresh, modern, and inviting as the indoors of the home.
After three years, the project is complete. Ty and David lived in the home throughout the project and became big fans of the Kirkland neighborhood and the home itself. Their favorite spot in the home isn’t the pool, which might be surprising until you hear about what room is their favorite. The open concept kitchen/ dining room with built-in bookshelves under the skylights and with a backyard view of the pool is the coziest room in the house and a perfect space to relax all weekend or after a long day at work.
Despite the inevitable unexpected you find in a long and extensive renovation project, Ty and David say, “the process was rewarding.” And we’d have to agree. The beauty of the home speaks for itself.
Enjoy a walkthrough of the newly renovated home yourself!
Open houses are available this weekend or upon request.
Open Houses:
Saturday, February 23: 2PM-4PM
Sunday, February 24: 1PM-3PM
View Home Listing
Beds 4 | Baths 3.25 | Sqft 3181 | Year built 9162 | MLS #1412435
Listing courtesy of NWMLS / WINDERMERE R.E. WALL ST. INC.