1970s Ranch Finds Its Traditional Voice

Project Type

Decorative Renovation, Furnishings and Decor

Scope

Interior architectural design, interior architectural finishes selection, laundry and bath design, lighting design, construction coordination, furnishings and decor selection and placement

Credits

Photography: Lauren L Caron © 2025

Mid Century Meets Traditional

Our clients came to us with the goal of infusing their 1970s home with layers of New England and British design. The home’s original architecture was that of a classic ranch, with subtle references to early New England Cape Cod cottages. The front elevation was designed to emulate a traditional full Cape, while the back features expansive mid-century picture windows that frame views of Lake Washington and the surrounding landscape.

Initially, the plan was to update the home architecturally, carrying the Cape Cod style throughout. Instead, we pivoted to enhancing the existing interior architecture. We reversed the familiar formula of pairing traditional architecture with modern furnishings and instead brought classic, historically inspired furnishings into a more modern shell. The result is a home that feels warmly traditional without the cost or disruption of a full architectural renovation.

We mixed clean-lined modern furniture profiles with more traditional influences and finishing. The Parsons sofa in the living room was upholstered in rich velvet and trimmed with a silk bullion fringe, a nod to classic detailing reimagined for modern living. The marble tiled entry floor offers a refined take on the classic checkerboard pattern, this time laid straight for a contemporary edge. In the dining room, a hand-painted mural of cypress and evergreens extends the view beyond the windows, connecting the interior to the tall trees that line Lake Washington.