Best Practice Architecture’s The Rambler on Dwell

Before & After: A Kandinsky Print Inspires a Seattle Rambler’s Radiant Remodel

Best Practice Architecture livens up a tired midcentury with brilliant color, a moody library, and a new deck with views for days.

Text by

Melissa Dalton

Rachel Lauter and Sean Vanaman were not looking for a project when they stumbled upon one. The Seattle couple—she’s a lawyer and he’s a writer—were on the hunt for a house in 2020, and they had lost out on several bids by the time they toured this 1953 rambler in Seattle’s Seward Park neighborhood.

It was the lot, rather than the house, which initially sold them. It’s a third of an acre, one block from Lake Washington, with a big backyard bordered a wooded glen, so the windows and back deck have views of trees and water. That, plus the great people watching as passersby stroll toward Seward Park, just felt special. “You feel the energy of the park when it’s full of people barbecuing and swimming in the lake on a Saturday afternoon, but we have this privacy because of the woods,” says Sean.

Before: Exterior

Before: Rachel Lauter and Sean Vanaman bought this Seattle home in 2020. It was built in 1953, with a total of 2,800 square feet. The door to the left of the entry originally led to the kitchen, although the couple opted to turn it into a window.

After: Exterior

Exterior, Mid-Century Building Type, Brick Siding Material, and House Building Type Best Practice Architects painted the exterior brick after patching it in places, like the section left by the removal of the door. "We could find the exact texture of brick, that classic Roman running bond, but we could not find it in the right color," says architect Kailin Gregga. Painting the entire exterior unifies the facade. The facade is lit by Rich Brilliant Willing Hoist sconces in black. — Best Practice Architects painted the exterior brick after patching it in places, like the section left by the removal of the door. “We could find the exact texture of brick, that classic Roman running bond, but we could not find it in the right color,” says architect Kailin Gregga. Painting the entire exterior unifies the facade. The facade is lit by Rich Brilliant Willing Hoist sconces in black.

The same family had owned the home since it was built, and they’d lightly updated the kitchen and baths, and gutted the walk-out basement. Since half of the home’s 2,800 square feet were situated downstairs, Rachel and Sean knew they wanted to finish the lower level, and they decided to update the rest of the house at the same time.

A friend recommended lead architect Kailin Gregga, partner at local firm Best Practice Architecture. After meeting Gregga and other firm partner, architect Ian Butcher, the couple were drawn to their attitude and approach. “They’re passionate, serious, and thoughtful, but with great senses of humor,” says Sean.

“We quickly realized that looking for architects was much less about their particular aesthetic, or their portfolio,” says Sean. “It was much more about, ‘Who do I want to be sitting on the cold bathroom floor of a half-demolished house with, as I’m pulling my hair out and trying to solve X problem?’”

Before: Entry and Kitchen

Before: The original entry, with the stairs on the left.

Before: The kitchen is situated to the right of the entry hall.

After: Entry and Kitchen

Kitchen, Wood Cabinet, Drop In Sink, Light Hardwood Floor, Range, Recessed Lighting, Refrigerator, Ceramic Tile Backsplashe, and Dishwasher "They really wanted to have tile in the kitchen and at the front door, but everyone disliked that hard edge line," says Gregga. "Doing the organic edge of the tile helped make the entry space and kitchen feel like one, and then it disintegrates into the living and dining room." — “They really wanted to have tile in the kitchen and at the front door, but everyone disliked that hard edge line,” says Gregga. “Doing the organic edge of the tile helped make the entry space and kitchen feel like one, and then it disintegrates into the living and dining room.”

Before: Kitchen

Before: The kitchen had a compact, U-shaped layout, and it was closed off from the other living spaces.

After: Kitchen

Kitchen, Engineered Quartz Counter, Ceramic Tile Backsplashe, Ceramic Tile Floor, Wall Oven, Range Hood, Refrigerator, Undermount Sink, Ceiling Lighting, Wood Cabinet, Dishwasher, and Cooktops Custom oak cabinetry separates the kitchen from the adjacent dining room. The backsplash is made of Makoto tile from Bedrosian, and terra cotta–toned grout provides a hint of color. A Kirkus chandelier from Ago hangs above the dining table, and a folding-glass door opens to the new exterior deck. — Custom oak cabinetry separates the kitchen from the adjacent dining room. The backsplash is made of Makoto tile from Bedrosian, and terra cotta–toned grout provides a hint of color. A Kirkus chandelier from Ago hangs above the dining table, and a folding-glass door opens to the new exterior deck.

Kitchen, Medium Hardwood Floor, Undermount Sink, Wood Cabinet, Range Hood, Engineered Quartz Counter, Ceiling Lighting, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Recessed Lighting, Ceramic Tile Backsplashe, and Cooktops A cutout in the kitchen counter swoops around an exposed support post. — A cutout in the kitchen counter swoops around an exposed support post.

After: Living Room

Living Room, Ceiling Lighting, Sofa, End Tables, Shelves, Recessed Lighting, Storage, Standard Layout Fireplace, Coffee Tables, Chair, and Medium Hardwood Floor The team refinished the oak floors in the living area while leaving the rest of the space untouched. — The team refinished the oak floors in the living area while leaving the rest of the space untouched.

When the firm first visited the house, Gregga was struck by its intact features, like the exterior Roman brick, daylight basement, and big windows looking out toward the lake. “Our initial opinion was that there were a lot of really lovely things going on in the house already,” says Gregga. “We wanted to make sure that whatever we did wouldn’t obliterate the cool qualities of the space that already existed.”

They started by cleaning up the front facade, removing an unnecessary door to the kitchen, and reworking the entry—inside and out. They streamlined an uninspired concrete stoop and added a new deck off the corner to better lead visitors to the front door.

Inside, they opened up the narrow entry hall by lining the stairs to one side with an open slat treatment, removing walls, and enlarging the kitchen on the other side. A folding-glass door opens the dining room to an exterior deck, creating an easy flow between the central living areas. “We wanted great spaces to congregate in,” says Rachel.

Before: Hallway

Before: The home had a conventional layout, with a dark central hallway leading to the bedrooms and bathroom.

The design team also opened up a narrow hall that previously led to the upper-floor bedrooms and bathrooms, and installed an office/library for Rachel’s extensive book collection.

“We realized that we could create an experience going from the kitchen, living, and dining space to the primary suite, and it would feel like going through a portal,” says Rachel. “It’s a beautiful color, and full of books, so it’s a happy place for me.”

After: Hallway and Office/Library

Hallway and Medium Hardwood Floor The new office/library sits to the right of the reworked entry. A slatted wall separates the space while allowing light to pass through. — The new office/library sits to the right of the reworked entry. A slatted wall separates the space while allowing light to pass through.

Storage Room, Shelves Storage Type, Cabinet Storage Type, and Closet Storage Type New built-in cabinetry provides storage while allowing light to spread throughout the space. Metalworker Michael Northrup custom fabricated the powder-coated railing and entry shelf. — New built-in cabinetry provides storage while allowing light to spread throughout the space. Metalworker Michael Northrup custom fabricated the powder-coated railing and entry shelf.

Office, Study Room Type, Chair, Medium Hardwood Floor, Storage, Bookcase, Library Room Type, Desk, and Shelves A Kandinsky print inspired the home’s pink and blue color scheme. "I have carried around dozens of books to the many places I’ve lived for a long time," says Rachel, who now has a home for her collection. — A Kandinsky print inspired the home’s pink and blue color scheme. “I have carried around dozens of books to the many places I’ve lived for a long time,” says Rachel, who now has a home for her collection.

Office, Study Room Type, Desk, Shelves, Chair, Library Room Type, Bookcase, Medium Hardwood Floor, and Storage The room is painted in Stiffkey Blue by Farrow & Ball and outfitted with a custom desk. — The room is painted in Stiffkey Blue by Farrow & Ball and outfitted with a custom desk.

Office, Storage, Desk, Bookcase, Shelves, Medium Hardwood Floor, Library Room Type, Chair, and Study Room Type The office/library acts as a transition area between the main living spaces and the primary bedroom. — The office/library acts as a transition area between the main living spaces and the primary bedroom.

After: Powder Room

Bath Room, Porcelain Tile Floor, and Wall Mount Sink The powder room is wrapped in Josef Frank wallpaper. — The powder room is wrapped in Josef Frank wallpaper.

After: Primary Suite

Bedroom, Bed, Medium Hardwood Floor, Ceiling Lighting, Night Stands, and Lamps The remodel enlarged the primary bathroom, converted the hall bath to a powder room, and added a full bathroom downstairs. — The remodel enlarged the primary bathroom, converted the hall bath to a powder room, and added a full bathroom downstairs.

Bath Room, Engineered Quartz Counter, Ceiling Lighting, Undermount Sink, Ceramic Tile Wall, Full Shower, Recessed Lighting, and Ceramic Tile Floor The primary bathroom is finished with Makoto 2x8 tile by Bedrosian and Graph tile in GP022 by Ceramica. — The primary bathroom is finished with Makoto 2×8 tile by Bedrosian and Graph tile in GP022 by Ceramica.

The lower level now holds what Gregga calls an “epic family room/party zone” wrapped in a plethora of attractive storage. The team relocated the exterior deck to bring in more natural light, and installed floor-to-ceiling glass doors to access the backyard. Two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a utility room finish the floor.

Before: Stairs

Before: One of the team’s goals was to better connect the upper and lower levels.

After: Stairs

The slatted wall treatment continue downstairs, alongside the powder-coated metal railing. "It has such a good feel in your hand," says Sean. — The slatted wall treatment continue downstairs, alongside the powder-coated metal railing. “It has such a good feel in your hand,” says Sean.

Gregga and Butcher threaded unexpected moments throughout—from the staggered entry tile, to the powder-coated metal stair accents, to the color palette, which ranges from subtle (as in the upstairs kitchen backsplash) to bold (as in the library and downstairs bathroom, which is swathed in emerald tile).

“I wear a black t-shirt and jeans to work four days a week; we’re pretty sedate in our general day-to-day look,” says Sean. “But we said, ‘It’s okay to push us on color, because we feel like you will listen to us if we say no.’” These pops of pigment speak to the joy everyone found in the process. “The house is a testament to how much fun we had the whole time we worked on it together,” says Sean.

Before: Family Room

Before: The team converted the large windows in the daylight basement into sliding-glass doors.

Before: The brick fireplace was a keeper, as were the concrete floors, which the team repolished.

After: Family Room

Living Room, Concrete Floor, Coffee Tables, Ceiling Lighting, Standard Layout Fireplace, and Sectional Gregga left the ceiling exposed to define the cozy lounge area from the rest of the room. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors now open to the backyard. — Gregga left the ceiling exposed to define the cozy lounge area from the rest of the room. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors now open to the backyard.

Custom colored cabinetry contrasts with the original brick of the fireplace. The table with the purple metal base is custom, and the pink door leads to the covered workout area under the deck.

Living Room, Ceiling Lighting, Standard Layout Fireplace, Concrete Floor, Sectional, and Coffee Tables The cutout in the oak cabinetry provides a sleeping nook for the couple’s cat, Mitten. — The cutout in the oak cabinetry provides a sleeping nook for the couple’s cat, Mitten.

Before: Unfinished Basement

Before: The team relocated two of the bedrooms downstairs.

After: Guest Bedroom

Bedroom, Bed, and Night Stands Color-blocked pink walls echo the stair railing. — Color-blocked pink walls echo the stair railing.

After: Guest Bathroom

Bath Room, Open Shower, Ceramic Tile Floor, Ceramic Tile Wall, Alcove Tub, Recessed Lighting, and Ceiling Lighting Dal Tile Keystones in Arctic White and Emerald cover the guest bathroom. — Dal Tile Keystones in Arctic White and Emerald cover the guest bathroom.

Before: Exterior Deck

Before: The team reoriented the deck to improve access to the backyard and allow more sunlight to reach the lower level. They also installed an exterior stair to provide access to the grass from the upper level.

After: Exterior Deck

Outdoor, Back Yard, Large Patio, Porch, Deck, Wood Patio, Porch, Deck, Concrete Patio, Porch, Deck, and Grass The new deck provides multiple areas for gathering and enjoying the backyard—from the upper-level hangout zone and grill spot to the lower-level firepit. Covered turf beneath the deck designates a dedicated workout area. — The new deck provides multiple areas for gathering and enjoying the backyard—from the upper-level hangout zone and grill spot to the lower-level firepit. Covered turf beneath the deck designates a dedicated workout area.

Floor Plan of The Rambler by Best Practice Architecture

More projects by Best Practice:

Once a Dingy Garage, This Charming Casita Is a Love Letter to Texas

A 1901 Craftsman in Seattle Gets a Svelte Cantilevered Addition

An Industrial-Style Home Rises Next to a Derelict Apple-Processing Warehouse

Project Credits:

Architecture: Best Practice Architecture / @best_practice

Builder: Ainslie-Davis Construction

Structural Engineer: Harriott Valentine Engineers

Custom Metal Fabrication: Michael Northrup

Published

February 22, 2023

meet the team

We’re a team (and a dog named Evie) inspired by diverse design perspectives, innovation, technology, art, and the world around us. We live for the chance to create and disperse powerful, genuine messages that resonate.

amy golden

principal
amy@paxsonfay.com

Growing up in Seattle, Amy was always exploring the great outdoors but she found a particular thrill in traveling. During a visit to New York City at age 10, she knew that was where she wanted to live. After high school she left her home in the Pacific Northwest behind for the great unknown to attend Fordham University in the Bronx. Upon graduation, Amy received a phone call from CNN offering a job opportunity of a lifetime working in television ad sales at Manhattan's Time Warner Center. When a job opportunity in Los Angeles opened up a few years later, Amy couldn't say no to a new adventure back on the west coast. But Seattle eventually called her back home and Amy returned to pursue a Master's degree in Business Administration with the hopes of learning the skills she needed to feed her entrepreneurial spirit. Before graduating, Amy co-founded Paxson Fay with Tessa Andrews in 2015. Amy focuses on marketing strategy, public relations, social media, and partnerships.

tessa franchini

principal
tessa@paxsonfay.com

Tessa graduated from Fordham University in New York with a dual bachelor's degree in Communications and Political Science. During her time at Fordham, she worked for an interior designer and at NBC News where she developed her love for both design and communications. After graduating, Tessa managed marketing at 3form, a pioneer in the sustainable building products industry. During her tenure, 3form was repeatedly named one of the most recognized manufacturers in the design industry among architects and designers, and the company won multiple awards for its innovative product launches. After 3form, Tessa consulted on marketing efforts with leading product manufacturers in architecture and design before starting Paxson Fay with Amy.

claire butwinick

senior account coordinator
claire@paxsonfay.com

Claire Butwinick specializes in marketing and social media strategy, copywriting, and public relations. Formerly the Assistant Editor at GRAY Magazine, an international architecture and design publication based in Seattle, Claire brings to Paxson Fay her editorial background and a passion for all things design. In addition to her writing experience, Claire is a seasoned public speaker, moderating a number of panel discussions with IDS Vancouver and Be Original Americas, and hosting the 2019 GRAY Awards. Last year, she took her speaking skills virtual, conducting several Instagram Live interviews with designers amid the pandemic. A graduate from the University of Washington’s School of Communication: Journalism, Claire was honored with a Pioneer News Group Excellence Award for Visual Journalism, selected for the Communication department’s prestigious Career Exploration scholarship, and nominated for a Hearst National Journalism Award. Her work also appears in GRAY Magazine, Office Insight, SagaCity’s Jewish in Seattle Magazine, and more.

colby wood

senior account coordinator
colby@paxsonfay.com

After graduating from Fordham University in New York City with a major in Communications and Media Studies and a handful of marketing and PR internships, Colby moved to Boston to manage marketing for a small, women-owned, creative consulting agency. While in that role, Colby managed public relations and marketing efforts for some of Boston's most prominent events and public art initiatives, including the Boston Pickle Fair and The Bulfinch Crossing Projections in downtown Boston. Colby gained experience crafting brand stories and identities through social media marketing and creative copywriting, seen through the successful launch of a premier Massachusetts adult-use dispensary and the revamp of her agency's own website. After two years, Colby decided it was time to figure out what the West Coast was all about. Looking to blend her marketing experience with her passion for design and architecture, Colby found Paxson Fay, where she focuses on social media strategy and management and public relations.

Chloe Edwards

account coordinator
chloe@paxsonfay.com

Chloe Edwards is a PNW native and recent Summa cum laude graduate from the University of Washington, where she studied Communication and Anthropology. While interning with the strategic communications firm Parsons + Co. Chloe developed skills in messaging and branding development, media outreach, and social media management. Chloe joined the Paxson Fay team as an intern in the fall of 2020. At Paxson Fay, Chloe creates social media content for a variety of client campaigns and profiles and leads engagement on several accounts, coordinates internal communications efforts, and assists with media outreach. As Paxson Fay's full-time Communications Assistant she uses her experience to achieve social media marketing, content strategy, and media relations success for clients and for the Paxson Fay brand.

Ryan Hulsey

digital marketing manager
ryan@paxsonfay.com

Originally from Las Vegas, Ryan (they/them) graduated from the University of Washington (Go Dawgs!) and considers Seattle to be home. Ryan’s career has shifted many times - from being a campaign organizer in politics to being a professional photographer and wedding planner - but they have always gravitated towards the art of marketing and know it's their true calling. After working at multiple start-ups and building digital campaigns for companies like Google and Amazon, Ryan is excited to be a part of a team that aligns with their passions for architecture and design. Ryan is bringing years of marketing, data analysis, and social media experience to the team and is thrilled to start supporting clients in achieving their marketing goals.

what we do

We are a communications firm founded in our passion for good design. Our unique approach to marketing and public relations in the architecture and design community has elevated our clients work to the next level. We’re backed by a talented community of creatives. From copywriters to social media experts, we provide a complete package of customized services. We strive to create a personal experience with each client, integrating teams and tackling your biggest marketing and public relations challenges from a high level. Then we help execute those plans ensuring lots of reporting along the way, with lots of coffee breaks in between because we’re from Seattle and that’s what we do.

marketing

marketing strategy

brand strategy

project management

partnerships acquisition and management

e-mail blasts

public relations

media strategy

content production

media communications and outreach

awards: strategy, content development and submissions

social

platform strategy and management

content production

targeted campaigns

results + reporting

advertising

advertising strategy

budget strategy + negotiation

calendar management

creative coordination

content

storytelling

copywriting

website and e-mail marketing

video: sourcing, storyboarding and scheduling

photography acquisition + curation

events

event management

sponsorships + partnerships

tradeshow coordination

press tours

clients

Here is a little taste of who we love to work with and what we love to do.

Best Practice Architecture’s The Rambler on Dwell

Before & After: A Kandinsky Print Inspires a Seattle Rambler’s Radiant Remodel

Before: Exterior

After: Exterior

Before: Entry and Kitchen

After: Entry and Kitchen

Before: Kitchen

After: Kitchen

After: Living Room

Before: Hallway

After: Hallway and Office/Library

After: Powder Room

After: Primary Suite

Before: Stairs

After: Stairs

Before: Family Room

After: Family Room

Before: Unfinished Basement

After: Guest Bedroom

After: Guest Bathroom

Before: Exterior Deck

After: Exterior Deck

Main content

Main content

Main content

The Miller Hull Partnership

3form

Space.City

Only Good Things

Keeps

Abodian Inc.

SHED Architecture & Design

Best Practice Architecture

Hightower

Chown Hardware

Grand Rapids Chair Co

Modern Shed

Union Wood Co

Hybrid

Acentech

Heliotrope Architects

LightArt

GRAY Magazine

Signal Architecture + Research

Kate Duncan / ADDRESS

Electric Coffin

Móz Architectural Metals

Springboard

Dwell Development

Interstyle

Michael Courtney Design

IWOODLOVE