Remodeling
Small Room, Big View
An obstructed view of Mount Rainier just wouldn’t do. The powder room to this Bellevue home goes from dull, cramped and restricting to striking and stylish with a view that takes the breath away

THE CHALLENGE: Frank and Wendy Collie’s Bellevue home was new to them, but the master bath was nearly 30 years old. “The cabinetry was builder-basic, plus the gray carpet and silvery wallpaper lacked visual logic, even for its day,” says Kirsten Dumo, architectural designer and partner of Satterberg Desonier Dumo Interior Design Inc. The best part of the room was a small window by the shower that showed a view of Mount Rainier, but Dumo says its size helped create “the cramped feel of being in a tunnel.” The Collies wanted to expand the feel of the room and make Mount Rainier the focal point.

THE SOLUTION: To bring the mountain into focus, Dumo and her partners switched spaces for the tub and the shower and toilet. They replaced the small window with a large one and moved two walls so the shower and toilet wouldn’t feel claustrophobic. Glass blocks replaced a second window, giving the shower privacy from the driveway but keeping it light-filled. Porcelain tiles with a Mediterranean feel cover the floor, while alabaster light fixtures add a contemporary touch. A bronze-toned vinyl wall covering “adds an atmospheric quality to the space,” Dumo says. Instead of a bathroom, the Collies now relax in a spa with a picture-perfect view.

  • The dark espresso finish on the wood cabinets provides a grounding contrast to the light and fresh feel of the room.
  • The counter-top cabinet breaks up the room’s horizontality and gives it a symmetrical look.
  • The picture window over the bathtub adds natural drama with a grand view of Mount Rainer.

Before


After

 

Design Details

Interior Designer
Kirsten Dumo, Satterberg Desonier Dumo Interior Design, Inc., 4326 90th Ave. S.E., Mercer Island, (206) 232-1830

Contractor
Mark Lowe, Chermak Construction, Inc., 655 Edmonds Way, Edmonds, (425) 776-1367