Midcentury Modern Design
The 2,800-square-foot, single-level home in a serene Raleigh Hills neighborhood was designed in 1969 with some fun features of the era, including a courtyard entrance and a sunken living room. But the house lacked the open floor plan that characterizes so many midcentury modern homes. The private wing, which contains the bedrooms and baths, was functional, but the public spaces felt boxed-in, dark, and maze-like.
New Open Floor Plan
As we worked with the homeowners, we learned that hosting large family gatherings was an important part of their lifestyle. As a result, we came up with a fully open-concept floor plan that gives them areas to gather and brightens up the space, bringing in light and views of the outdoors, including the beautiful private green space and Fanno Creek at the back of the quarter-acre property. As we tore down walls and gutted dated bathrooms, we were careful to retain the best original features of the house.
Front Entry
The front yard features a lawn and landscape plantings and a sidewalk leading to the entry gates into an intimate courtyard/front patio area. The custom wooden gates can be left open for visitors or closed for a feeling of privacy. The façade was revived with soft off-white paint and updated light fixtures and a new cobalt blue front door and painted shutters.
Multi-use Living Space
The new light-filled living space features separate gathering areas that are defined not by walls but by lighting, furniture placement, built-in custom cabinetry, and fireplaces. The bright kitchen has a huge island with an integrated cooktop, microwave drawer, and abundant storage. Along three sides of the island, there’s seating for 10, so the cooks can work while visiting with friends and family.
The island has a swirly gray, black, and white quartz countertop and cabinets in cool gray, the color setting them off from the crisp white cabinetry along the wall of the kitchen. Elongated hexagonal tiles in off-white and light gray give the backsplash a modern twist on a traditional look, and the counter is in Caesarstone. The large window above the kitchen sink looks out over the courtyard and entry gates.
Dining Areas
Just off the kitchen is a sunny breakfast nook that features a double wall oven built into a smart pantry wall. Beyond the kitchen island, a glamorous glass chandelier denotes the open dining area. Right next to the dining area, a cozy seating space with stone-clad gas fireplace invites people to sit down and visit. The sunken living room is now bright and open, with a high-beamed vaulted ceiling. Built-in bench seating and large windows flank another fireplace at the end of the living room.
The Private Wing
In the home’s private wing, the master suite was completely reimagined. The hallway of closets was removed to allow the construction of a larger master bath. A small bump-out along the exterior wall made room for a new oversized walk-in closet. In the luxurious master bath, a large skylight and newly vaulted ceiling brings in the sunlight. A white vanity with quartz countertops and his-and-hers sinks features glass cabinet knobs and brushed nickel drawer pulls and faucets.
The backsplash has thin chevron tiles in shades of gray, and under the custom-tiled floor is radiant heating for those chilly Portland days. Across from the vanity is a private water closet and a makeup vanity with custom mirror. The walk-in shower has a glass surround and a curbless entry, to allow for easier access as the homeowners age.