Issaquah Modern Ranch House Fireplace Update
See how thoughtful design transformed bulky, soot-stained fireplaces into sleek, gas-powered features, opening up a 1960s Issaquah ranch home for a brighter, modern look.
Thoughtful design challenge: Reworking the fireplaces to open up & brighten this living room and kitchen
The fireplace in this 1960s Issaquah, WA ranch home was the bulk of the space, taking up most of the room and closing off the kitchen from the living room. To make the fireplace smaller and open things up, the bookshelf on the end was removed, and part of the bricks on the kitchen side were taken out to create a built-in pantry for extra storage.
Before the remodel, the fireplaces were wood burning and the bricks were stained with soot. The homeowners wanted gas fireplaces for the ease of lighting with the flip of a switch and for the cleaner burn of gas. Gas inserts were installed and instantly: updated fireplaces! We installed shiplap above the fireplaces, and had a fun DIY day scrubbing and white washing the bricks for a clean and transformed look.
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Fireplace Focal Points
Whether designing a new home or refreshing an existing space, it is easy to transform a room by making the fireplace the focal point.
Whether designing a new home or refreshing an existing space, it is easy to transform a room by making the fireplace the focal point. Choosing the material for a fireplace in a new home is always determined by the style of the house. Sierra Homes often builds in a contemporary style with high vaulted ceilings. This calls for a dramatic fireplace design (like the bookmatch design featured below) that can range from large format tiles, concrete, stone, or even slabs of porcelain on the face. There may be a hearth and/or mantel depending on the desired look.
For our remodel or design clients, fireplace renovations are the most requested. We have created stunning centerpieces from old, shabby fireplaces that just needed a little TLC – or a major overhaul! The trend is to remove old wood burning fireboxes and replace with gas inserts that appear more upscale and sleeker. Then by replacing the old stone with new material, or whitewashing bricks (like we did in this 1960's ranch home below), we have created an elegant fireplace that becomes the centerpiece of the room.
We removed the bookcase, added shiplap above & whitewashed the fireplace brick in the kitchen
We added shiplap above and whitewashed the fireplace brick for a brighter look in the living room.
Outdoor Space Transformation
A Des Moines home with a stunning water view across Puget Sound posed a recent outdoor living space challenge.
A Des Moines home with a stunning water view across Puget Sound posed a recent outdoor living space challenge. The old stairs leading to the front door and small deck porch were made of wood, which was rotting due to the salty fog that is common in the area. The homeowners had a very small backyard with no grass and complained of mud all winter, making it difficult to enjoy the space or even let the dog out.
The solution was to build new stairs, a new porch and a wrap-around deck all made of a composite material which will not rot. TimberTech decking is engineered to resist weather, comes in many different colors to resemble wood and lasts much longer than real wood.
Stairs were replaced with composite TimberTech material to protect against the elements.
The happy clients use their backyard all the time now! We created an outdoor living area complete with a pergola, flower planter, furniture and fire pit. And the dog can go out without tracking in mud!
How to Choose the Right Wall Colors
Giving your walls a fresh coat of paint is one of the simplest ways to update your home and give it a stylish new look. While the painting is the easy part, the color selection process is not so simple.
Giving your walls a fresh coat of paint is one of the simplest ways to update your home and give it a stylish new look. While the painting is the easy part, the color selection process is not so simple. With so many colors to choose from - and varying shades of each – it can feel overwhelming to decide which one is best for your space. Before you even begin to set out collecting paint sample chips, ask yourself a few questions…what is the room being used for and how do you want it to feel? What is the mood? While you may want your bedroom to feel calm, you may choose your bathroom to be bright. Here are some tips and ideas:
ALL-OVER COLOR ADVICE
When choosing an all-over interior color, go with a neutral that will work in any room. Warm grays and beige work with most other colors that you may want to bring in for accents or pops of color.
Here are a few of my go-to neutrals for new construction and remodels:
Left: Benjamin Moore Collingwood – OC-28; Right: Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray – HC-173
Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist – SW 9166
THOUGHTS ON WHITE
For the current minimalist trend, keep it simple white. White makes a room feel bright, spacious, crisp and clean. When it comes to whites, there are too many to choose from! My favorites:
Left: Benjamin Moore White Dove – OC-17; Right: Sherwin Williams Pure White – SW 7005
WHAT ABOUT AN ACCENT WALL?
To create a calm, relaxing vibe, choose cool colors like blues and aquas. Try these for accent walls:
Left: Sherwin Williams Smoky Blue – SW 7604; Right: Benjamin Moore Sweatshirt Gray – 2126-4
Have fun with color! Create a focal point by painting an accent color. Accessorize with bright pillows and décor. Stop stressing about colors and just start painting!
PLEASE NOTE that these digital color swatches were sourced from the Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams websites and are only provided to give a general idea of the colors recommended. We highly suggest you source actual paint swatches before embarking on your painting project 😄.