Nestled among the towering evergreens outside Seattle, a 3,540-square-feet mid-century residence has been transformed by Maine-based architecture studio AAmp

Led by Anne-Marie Armstrong and Andrew Ashey, AAmp was tasked with refreshing the classic home for David and Jenna Kaplan - a family deeply involved in the hospitality world, with David being a co-founder of the acclaimed cocktail bar Death & Co. The clients, who are frequent travelers, sought a design that could balance their professional aesthetic - a fondness for moody, sophisticated spaces - with the light-filled, natural charm of the Pacific Northwest.

The Kaplans were initially drawn to the home’s classic mid-century appeal, particularly its expansive glazing that effectively weaves the natural environment into the interior experience. Although located in a moderately dense neighborhood, the structure's thoughtful siting on the hillside and surrounding trees ensures privacy while allowing the heavily glazed envelope to frame views of nature. AAmp’s primary challenge was overcoming poorly conceived renovations from the 1980s and 90s, which had confined the floor plan, blocked natural light from the core, and created redundant and awkward circulation.

Reconfiguring for Modern Flow

AAmp’s intervention focused on a spatial overhaul to enhance circulation, maximize usable space, and draw natural light deeper into the three-level home. Previous circulation issues, such as an unnecessary route through a bathroom to get from the office to the kitchen, were resolved. A major architectural change involved removing the walls of the kitchen and adjacent hallway to create a fully open plan that seamlessly connects the kitchen, lounge, and living room around a central island. In a functional optimization move, a full bathroom was pared down to a powder room to streamline flow, and the space once occupied by the shower was efficiently converted into a pantry. On the entry level, adjacent office walls were moderately reconfigured to introduce a proper “landing space” with modest millwork for coat and shoe storage and a bench.

The Dual Aesthetic: Moody Retreats and Playful Communal Spaces

The interior design balances the clients’ preference for “darker colors and moody spaces” with a desire for playful elements suitable for a young family. Armstrong notes that the design intentionally avoided leaning too heavily on the home’s mid-century origins. The strategy was to treat the “cozy” areas of the home, such as the living room and primary suite, with darker colours and soft textures like limewash walls and plush curtains. Conversely, communal zones like the entry and kitchen were finished with lighter tones, brighter colours, and patterns.

The aesthetic contrast is immediately apparent in the main living areas. The living room, enveloped by lush greenery, features charcoal limewash walls and a dark stone fireplace, accented by earthy furnishings such as a burnt orange sofa and a warm gray patterned rug. Near the entry, the palette shifts with a plush indigo built-in banquette, turquoise chairs, and a mauve wall, leading toward the airy kitchen and breakfast nook. This functional space features light gray stone counters and backsplash, oak veneer cabinetry, and white and tan Cle tile floors. The adjacent breakfast nook, defined by a custom rich blue banquette, is furnished with a classic mid-century style tulip table and wire chairs, all set against a vibrant gallery wall that frames the exterior views through floor-to-ceiling glass. For the clients' young daughter, whimsical elements like a custom half-moon bookshelf, paint, and wallpaper define her small bedroom.

Refined Private Quarters

The second level was fully reconfigured to exclusively house the primary suite. This space strongly reflects the owners’ darker, moodier tones, featuring black-stained millwork and wall panels, and charcoal paint on walls and beams. The bathroom was reconfigured to accommodate better circulation, double sinks, and a steam shower. A small adjacent room was ingeniously co-opted to create a second closet for Jenna, a practical decision that accommodates the individual practices of packing and unpacking among their frequent travels.

The lower level, which was opened up to enhance circulation with the floor above, accommodates a den/playroom, gym, home bar, and laundry. This heavily glazed level connects directly to the exterior patio via a large door, fostering an immediate indoor-outdoor connection. Here, a fireplace is coated in Benjamin Moore Midnight Oil, an inky black tone, and the furniture selection juxtaposes mid-century-inspired pieces with a contemporary sofa and pouf.

Ashey concludes, “While the original structure presented a wonderful backdrop for the clients’ love of warm and luxurious hospitality spaces, we aimed to enhance that in our choice of rich fabrics, colours, furniture and accessories throughout the residence”. The AAmp transformation successfully translates a sophisticated, hospitality-driven aesthetic into a highly functional family home - a true retreat designed to allow the Kaplan family to commune, rest, and enjoy the immersive beauty of nature.