Laurelhurst Mid-Century Modern

 

Entertainer’s Dream. An entire 21-foot nano-wall seamlessly opens the great room to the tiered deck of ipe and connects with the level ground outside – the epitome of indoor-outdoor living. Host large-scale parties and charity events framed by picture-postcard views of Mt Rainier; an outdoor galley boasting a mini-fridge with a built-in beer tap extends the commercial-grade indoor kitchen. Comfortably chill a 36-inch platter in the extra-wide indoor refrigerator and whip it out when it’s time to pass the hors-d’oeuvres! Vertical-grain Douglas fir cabinetry, framing, and shelving, and extensive interior use of poured concrete and mild steel affirm an earthy, inviting Northwest aesthetic.  

 

Room for Everybody – and Everything. Multiple dedicated workspaces, including a library, home organization center, hobby room plumbed for a sink, and cozy detached backyard den, give you space to reflect, dream, and pursue your passions. Mudroom cubbies, built-in office storage, and garage shelving organize and stow your gear. Spacious guest bedrooms shelter overnight visitors. Welcoming gathering spaces, both vast and intimate, bring you together with your household and friends while keeping the clatter and din of life well organized.   

 

Sustainable Living. Deep eaves and motorized Hunter-Douglas window coverings for passive cooling. An easy-to-maintain low-irrigation garden composed of synthetic turf and drought-resistant plants. A backyard structure with a green roof. Hydronic heat and domestic hot water supported by rooftop solar panels. A garage equipped for rapid EV charging. Considered, future-focused choices that conserve our precious natural resources without sacrificing comfort.

Stewardship and Investment. Follow in the footsteps of the current owners, who have preserved the original architecture and made respectful improvements for contemporary lifestyles. Meanwhile, hold the gigantic lot (equal to 3.5 standard Seattle lots) as a valuable investment, for peace of mind in the future.

Energy and Optimism. Salute the clean-lined vision of the residence’s first owners, George and Sybil Tall, who found in modern design an expressive language for post-war prosperity and the resilience of the American Dream. Treasure the traces of mid-century built history – a long, low-slung dual-fuel fireplace in the great room, cleverly placed clerestory windows that bring slanted light into private spaces, and in the lower-level entertainment/media room articulating Sputnik spotlights, an original polychrome mural, and a resplendent tiki bar (by Bellevue designer Mangin as part of a 1955 rec room addition). Embrace nostalgia for a bygone era when retail was local and personal and a bright red-and-yellow lighted marquee welcomed eager customers to bustling Tall’s Camera, where the proprietor would greet them by name.