NE Capitol Hill Residence 1

In 1909, the architectural firm Bebb and Mendell left their mark on Seattle’s Capitol Hill with a stately historic home. Over a century later, we embarked on an six-year journey to seamlessly bridge that heritage with the demands of modern living. By phasing the work—beginning with bathroom updates in 2013 and culminating in a comprehensive master suite in 2019—we ensured the family could remain anchored in their home as it evolved around them.
The heart of this transformation lies in the kitchen. To meet the needs of a contemporary lifestyle, we expanded the footprint by 150%, inviting in natural light through expansive new windows. The space is anchored by a striking black walnut-topped island, complemented by the tactile beauty of handmade tile, site-painted cabinetry, and limestone floors. Every detail, down to the integrated three-piece crown molding, was chosen to honor the home’s original character while providing a fresh, luminous atmosphere.
The renovation extends the living experience into the outdoors, creating a private urban oasis. A new concrete deck serves as a dedicated space for barbequing, leading down to a lower yard designed for social connection, complete with a firepit and hot tub. Even the historic front porch received a thoughtful update, featuring Cumaru decking and integrated ceiling heaters for year-round comfort.
The final chapter of the project focused on the private quarters. We integrated substantial storage through built-in elements designed to feel like a natural part of the historic architecture. The primary bathroom serves as a refined retreat, blending walnut cabinetry with decorative tile and a steam shower. Upstairs, a second-floor deck with floating pavers looks east—a quiet, elevated sanctuary for morning coffee. This project was more than a renovation; it was a rewarding collaboration that preserved a piece of Seattle’s history for the next generation.

CLIENT REVIEW:
Working with Bakken Design Build has been a fascinating creative process. While that may be an easy statement to make on a small or short project, we’ve been working with the team on and off for the last 3 years on a variety of projects. Our1909 custom home in Capitol Hill has what most call ‘great bones’ but had a fair amount of deferred maintenance, was missing some key components and was in dire need of being brought gracefully into the 21st century. When we interviewed Joel, we knew immediately he would be our architect – he was thoughtful, clear, creative, insightful, and detailed in his communication. Our project has included a complete kitchen remodel, updating old bathrooms (that had been splattered with avocado tile some time in the 70’s), and the addition of a brand new bathroom on a floor that had no existing running water, the addition of a new concrete deck, and remodel of another deck and a front porch that is our summertime favorite room in the house.

From remodeling outdated spaces to creating brand new ones, Joel’s design process is transparent and he is open to co-creation, working with us as equals as well as graciously incorporating other professionals as needed. We are exacting clients, and had a lot of questions; and we’re new to big remodel projects. Joel was available when we needed to meet, and made the entire process a pleasure.

The team at Bakken Design Build includes an in house team of professionals as well as a flexible set of specific tradesmen that are brought in as necessary. For us this means there is a regular team on site daily, and we also have access to a radiator repairman via BDB, but we’re not paying to keep him on payroll. These relationships are a huge plus. We would hire this team again in a minute.

Photography: Jesse L. Young