Magnolia Mid-Century Restoration

Restoring the luster and original architectural details of this classic mid-century home was the inspiration for our recent Magnolia remodel. Our clients purchased their dream home at the precipice of a global pandemic with the hope of breathing life back into the space and putting down roots to start their family. Conscious of budget, Axiom's design team focused on remodeling the main public spaces of the home: kitchen, dining room, and great room facing Puget Sound. Laden with original cedar paneled walls, fir ceilings and exposed beams, stone fireplace, and fir-wrapped windows, the great room cried out for a more traditional restoration.

After years of deferred maintenance, some structural updates were required to restore the character of the great room. Axiom carpenters reconstructed the massive window wall, in keeping with the original design; adding new mortised fir framing, metal flashing to protect against rot, and stopping in large panes of insulated glass to improve the home's energy efficiency and help mitigate the heat and any future UV damage from the direct western exposure.

The kitchen, too, was in need of a more efficient layout and some structural updates. By installing a new beam in the ceiling between the kitchen and dining room, the team introduced an effortless flow and a space more conducive to high use and hosting friends and family. The newly designed kitchen, with added seating, dovetails a contemporary vibe into the classic mid-century spirit, with exposed edge walnut cabinets and routered pulls, accentuating the clean, refined aesthetic of the period.

The introduction of a new, larger sliding door completes the circuit, providing improved access to the expansive views and luxuriously wide deck. A custom walnut screen wall and entry hutch, complemented by the vintage lighting left by the original owner, create and elegant layer of privacy at the home's  main entrance.

Collaborating on this project was a profound experience for our team and client. Navigating the uncharted waters of design and construction during a pandemic, our team had to learn new ways to safely collaborate and still deliver our standard level of expert craftsmanship and customer experience. In the end we are so proud to have delivered a beautiful home to a very deserving client.

• Builder: Axiom Design Build
• Interior Designer: Axiom Design Build
• Photos: Bill Holt